I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

My one complaint about this album has always been that it's not long enough.

I think this might be around the pinnacle of this era and genre of neo-folk. My one objection is that it comes in so strong, with When I Get to the Border and The Calvary Cross, that it's tough for the still very good remainder of the album to quite match it.

Nice, folksy, and calm. Linda Thompson's name should also be included in the Artist name here.

Now that's the reason I started with the project - finding unknown classics. I have not heard at all about this album, yet I recognized its influence on more recent albums. Some songs sound very similar to Neutral Milk Hotel which I really like. Great album!

To discover 'I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight' before you die is one of the advantages of being alive.

Surprised to find this is from a former member of Fairport Convention, a band I've been lukewarm on through this list (being generous). I don't think these tracks do anything super new, but I do think they are super well written and just overall great tunea. Reminds me of Frightened Rabbit, a little, especially the wonderful downer of "The End Of The Rainbow". Favorite tracks: "When I Get To The Boarder", "The Calvary Cross", "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight", "The End Of The Rainbow"

Bit of a masterpiece really

folk music.......................good melancholic, kinda sleepy album. good fit since im tired rn and am usually vaguely sad if poked the right way. not much else to say. nice to have a more ""normal"" album after weird proto everything white light white heat and minimal weirdo pop non stop erotic cabaret. just Folk 9/10

Very nice album. Charming and heartwarming. Could imagine hearing them in a cosy pub with a beer and an open fire. Some very emotionally charged tracks, slightly haunting in places. Very well written and arranged.

I don't know these people but I really like the reverb guitar, gentle background vocals, and occasional falsetto on The Calvary Cross. The title track is very catchy. The rest of the album is pleasant for a listen, except for "The Little Beggar Girl" like who green-lights songs like this. The last track was a royal bummer.

I think this album is amazing. One of the most emotionally intense folk albums I've ever heard. I love it all but "Calvary Cross" is the one that really hits me hardest. Also one of my favorite album covers of all time.

Awesome album cover, awesome guitar playing. “Bright Lights” is an excellent collection of folk/rock songs that feels ahead of its time. If someone had told me when I started this list three years ago that Fairport Convention (of which Richard Thompson was a member) was going to be one of the most rewarding musical discoveries through the list, I would have laughed and maybe not had taken part in this in the first place. But here I am, three years later, continually impressed by the Fairport Convention and its members. There’s an emotional and musical depth to these songs that I suspect will reward repeated listens.

Another opportunity to praise folk-rock and ramble about my Dad, and I'll take it! Pretty much flawless from start to finish, with some of the Thompson's greatest moments (although check out live versions of The Calvary Cross for even more splendid guitar). Subconsciously takes me back to a wet and tense summer holiday exploring the castles of Northumberland in about 1981, although I could be engineering that memory a bit; would have been the perfect soundtrack regardless. Also a favorite of our extremely-bearded old labmate, Mark. It does strike me as a bit weird to have such strong nostalgia for the music tastes of a paternal influence that was both mild and short-lived (as regular readers will recall); a testament to the power of music and memory, I guess. Predictable 5*

This record from a former Fairport Convention member and his wife is a precious offering, in all senses of the word. "Precious" because some of its British Folk-inspired cuts are admittedly quaint (yet not fully devoid of charm). But also "precious" for the memorable gems you can find in it, going from rock and country-adjacent ballads ("When I Get To The Border", the title-track), to a delicate acoustic vignette about late-night misfits, both picturesque and heartfelt ("Down Where The Drunkards Roll"), or to the mysterious, moody and hypnotic tunes closing the proceedings, filled with off-kilter chord changes ("The End Of The Rainbow", "The Great Valerio"). Interestingly, the most striking highlight gathers *all* those qualities in one song: it's the second track "The Calvary Cross", whose slow ominous pace, guitar work and dark harmonies make it an instant outlier. Yet it's not because there are no other songs like that in the album that the rest shouldn't be cherished. All in all, a very endearing record. And the amazing artwork for its cover gives it the 0.5 bonus it needs to make it appear in my "gallery"/"summary". 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list, rounded up to 5 9.5/10 for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: 175 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 361 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 206 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 262

When to listen: In a pub on a rainy day. Pint not optional. I liked the beginning of the album more than the end. I've always loved the song for which the album is named, it's so wonderful, and it was cool to hear the full soundtrack from whence it came.

It's alright, some of the less dull old folk we've had on the list

This was so bad lmfaoooo

The most 70’s folk album to ever 70’s folk album…and not in a good way.

Vibes of country music, folk singing, was there a sea chanty? Linda Thompson’s voice was the highlight. “The End of the Rainbow” has lyrics that are utterly despondent. Wikipedia has it listed in some top 500 albums. 🤷‍♀️ but why?

Absolutely terrible, who’s deciding on these albums?

Had this on in the background whilst working, and the first time I listened to it made no impact on me whatsoever. The second time I tried to listen a bit harder, and it still didn't do a lot for me. The site describes it as 'never commercially successful and critically ignored outside of its release', and that seems fair to me. The folk isn't done artfully enough to be properly good, there's not enough cleverness in the lyrics, and when they add the brass backing it just sounds a bit comical. 1/5.

"The Bright Lights Tonight" has been warm company over a weekend of heavy rain. I know folk music through my dad, one of the many Brit-blues believers who jumped to folk during the schism when Led Zeppelin lead the charge to heavier, distorted grub. Folk has seeped into me, but I'm suspicious of its archaisms. What’s so great about the imagined past? What are they hiding? On the other hand, I saw John Renbourne play in a tiny community centre in Poynton and he casually slew faces and was fun with it. There’s a playfulness on this album, a happy willingness to rock when fits, instruments duelling, sad songs followed by boogies, all held together by those two lead voices. The title track’s one of several bangers; I wish they had just one more to break up the bleak last two.

I wasn't sure what to think of this at first other than being impressed by the instrumentation. After a while, it gets into you in a strange and beautiful way.

I’m not even done with it, but I love every second. my cup of tea.

"The Calvary Cross" is basically Songs: Ohia 20 years early. Absolutely essential listening front to back.

Sad English Folk from the 60s? Yes, please, especially if it's made by a couple with a doomed marriage. This is music to walk morosely across the Moors to and then hang yourself under and alderberry tree.

Bittersweet and bleak loveliness

Liked this album a lot. Pretty haunting and moody throughout, simple instrumentals and great vocals.

I thought I'm gonna force myself to listening to this album, but it was actually really good. Not my type, but I enjoyed it. Very good.

The production on this is great, especially the guitar work. I found Linda's vocals were much much better than Richard's, to the point I would've preferred this only had Linda's singing.

Think I preferred them went they went "nu-wave" with the likes of "Hold Me Now". But if I was looking to entice some strumpet of a farmers daughter into a hay loft by getting her tipsy on cider - this would absolutely be the soundtrack I'd use.

I loved the title track. Vocals are nice. The album is a bit down tempo and too sad for my taste. Luckily I listened to it during a night trip and was gonna feel daunted and depressed in the morning anyways.

This was awful. This sounds like some husband/wife duo that has 20 followers on social media, but 3,000 comments of bullying

I’ll be blunt: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight is one of the most boring albums I’ve ever heard. For all the acclaim it’s received, I found it an absolute slog to get through. The vocals are so painfully average that they’re almost forgettable, the songs blend into one dull blur, and the production doesn’t help matters. To be fair, there are a couple of elements that aren’t outright terrible. The instrumentation is competent, with a few moments where the arrangements show promise. The use of traditional folk influences, like the inclusion of fiddles and brass in certain tracks, gives the album a bit of texture. The title track, “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight,” is probably the most tolerable song here—it has a slightly livelier energy compared to the rest of the album Unfortunately, the list of negatives far outweighs any positives. Let’s start with the vocals. Richard Thompson’s singing is so bland and emotionless that it almost lulls you to sleep, and Linda Thompson doesn’t fare much better. Neither of them has the dynamic range or charisma to bring these songs to life. Their voices are technically fine but utterly unremarkable, and they lack the emotional depth needed to make these lyrics hit home. The songs themselves are equally uninspiring. “The Calvary Cross” is a plodding, dreary track that feels like it lasts twice as long as it actually does. “Withered and Died” is appropriately named—it sounds lifeless from start to finish. Even the more upbeat songs, like “Down Where the Drunkards Roll,” feel weighed down by the lacklustre vocals and sluggish pace. The production doesn’t help matters. While some might call it “intimate,” I found it flat and dull. The mix is clean enough, but there’s no vibrancy or atmosphere to draw you in. It’s all so monotone that it feels like the same song is playing over and over again. I know this album is considered a classic by some, but I just don’t see it. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight is painfully boring, with average vocals, lifeless production, and songs that fail to leave any impression. The title track is decent, but the rest of the album feels like a chore to sit through. Not an album for me.

Pants.

Least favorite so far, maybe I'm just a country hater but I don't know why I'm supposed to listen to this album

Not my cup of tea

Nope

Sorry, this is lost on me. Dull. Not dreadful. Just no.

Poop

My least favorite so far, there were 2 decent songs. Not my cup of tea.

Live version of The Calvary Cross is actually quite good, but doesn’t make up for the 45 minutes of drudgery I had to endure before it.

Folk music but not for me. Ambient yes but too much discrete instrument moments made it non-ambient.

F**k music. Can’t stand it. It always sounds like someone caricaturing themselves, with the vocal mannerisms particularly. Nothing about this grabbed me. I tried.

Morris dancers sing Don McLean. Dire.

This duo produced some brilliant sounds and should be heard by anyone for whom intelligent music is a need.

Why do all the best albums have to be so short ;-; this is lovely. i love this. it's so spiritual and genuine and nice.

The type of surprise I crave from this project — never heard of this record and I love it! Does NOT sound like it was recorded in 1973, so inventive while remaining straightforwardly beautiful at the same time, and I really enjoy both of their voices. Has me staring out the window wistfully when I meant to do some work. Going to keep my eye out for this at record stores.

I'm a big RT fan, but more often listen to his solo albums or early fairport, and less the releases with Linda. I just love a) his songwriting which feels like he's doing kind of modern interpretations of old English folk songs (as Fairport did under Sandy Denny's influence), but they're all penned by him. b) his arrangements. And this album has got some really cool things going on with brass, krummhorns, Kirkpatrick's accordian/anglo concertina etc etc. All cool. But it's the pared back nature of 2: The Calvary Cross that hits me between the eyes within the opening few bars (post the widdly guitar intro). ;The simple F, Am, G chord sequence in the verse charms me like a snake. Not bothered about the chorus but I forgive it for the verse. And Pat Donaldson's bassline. Other shortlist includes: 1: When I get to the border, 5: We Sing Hallelujah, which has shades of the old carol 'Jacob's well', and 8: the Little beggar Girl, which sounds traditional, and would also be great to dance to. Strong feelings of nostaglia for the title track 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight' which was covered by one of our local folk/rock/ceilidh bands and have strong memories of hearing them playing it live as a kid in 1980's. Yeah some of the songs are bleak, but all good. Tempted to give this 5 stars, but though I live it, not quite. 4.5

I love this melancholy album and there’s something so earthy and English about Linda Thompson’s voice. She’s the aural equivalent of a bracing winter walk.

Damn, 10 songs, 36 minutes!--drunk and withered never sounded so good. If things got any slower, time would reverse. As dim as the outlook gets, the delicate beauty of Linda's voice and the subtle magic of Richard's guitar, well, hallelujah it is.

Finely crafted - swinging, direct, and very powerful

One of my faves

Great album, even the live tracks!

I have never felt less cool rating an album

Good soft rock album that draws on Richard’s knowledge of the folk tradition. Shame there are no actual folk albums on the list. Musically this is more like a 1973 lp by Eno or Wyatt lp than a Ewan MacColl or Shirley Collins album. Richard’s voice is a little nasal and minor note on his solo lps. So Linda brings a welcome variety (as Sandy Denny does in Fairport Convention) and here they have some of Richard’s best songs to work with.

Pre-dates my listening years. Completely unknown to me, and entirely brilliant. Like going to a real Irish pub to enjoy a full band playing an utterly captivating night of music.

This was new to me and is really the tits.

bury me with this record

Really great, her voice is lovely and I really enjoyed many of these tracks. I had recently been introduced to Fairport Convention which she was the singer. 5 stars

Thks album sounded like a Celtic version of early Buckingham/Nicks Fleetwood Mac. Richard Thompson's guitar work is weird in the best way. The vocal harmonies are tight. I loved this album. 5 stars.

I got into this album recently and it hits from top to bottom.

See I really like shoot out the lights (did she jump or was she pushed is one of the best songs ever written) but I’ve never tried the rest of their discography so I’m excited… After listening to it, this album is very good: the cavalry cross, I want to see the bright lights tonight and the end of the rainbow were my favourites. I think it’s a low 5, I prefer shoot out the lights but this was great too

Titel Track ist ein meiner Lieblingssongs, aber ich hatte vergessen wie großartig das Album ist

A great folk rock album with a nice balance between Richard's and Linda's vocals and between ballads and more rocking songs. The title track is impeccable and I could listen to it all day. The lyrics are pitch black at times (especially "End of the Rainbow" which might be the darkest song of all time). And "The Great Valerio" is a stunning album closer. I can't believe that the Thompsons' "Shoot Out the Lights" isn't on the list which is a travesty-- but this one is great in its own right.

Nice and easy listening, I enjoyed it

This one totally blew me away. Beautiful cover and a collection of amazing songs. It's a Songs:Ohia, neutral Milk hotel combination with some lovely folk twists everywhere. And to think this is from 1974 is absolutely unbelievable. Great production and I especially love Richard's voice. Such an interesting piece of music.

Beautiful, although also sentimentally significant, so don't read too much into my words (but do listen to the album).

I sort of understand people reviewing with words like 'nice' on a single first listen but they clearly haven't tuned into the lyrics much. End of the Rainbow has to be the bleakest thing ever written and most of the rest aren't any sunnier. I love it I sought out the extended version. Treat yourself and look for a live version of Calvary Cross. Not on the extended version of this. The comp Guitar, Vocals might be on your streamer.

"I'll hurt you til you need me." Basically, the entire album is about how you never get to the border.

This was a surprise and a very good one. I'll need to add this to the re-listen pile.

Class album.

100% relisten

Yes

A cultural icon for a reason. The honesty and rawness with which it discusses the unearned challenges faced by millions of Americans every day is sobering. The simple, acoustic accompaniment only goes to highlight Tracy Chapman’s beautiful voice and the message of her songs. Although the musical tone isn’t always my personal style, I can appreciate the artistry and skill behind the execution.

Fantastic album. I listened to all of it just now. The feel I received from it had a mix of folk music, country, blues, with space to add a gospel choir to at least one of the songs! Tryly relaxing, enjoyable!

Didn’t feel great upon seeing this selection but wow was I wrong.. made it through twice without hesitation, really loved the variety. Unsure if this is an outlier from the singer/songwriter genre to me, or hit on a good day, or whatever else but this was great.

Classic from seventies

I'm not good at writing reviews, but listening to this album made me feel nostalgic. Very light, smooth, sometimes sad notes. Overall, I liked the album.

Lovely album, a great surprise for me since I didn't knew nothing about it nor the artists. 5/5, couldn't be any other way

This and Shoot Out the Lights (their marriage crumbling in real time in the studio with the latter) are staggering advancements in portraiture of complicated people living complicated lives and finding tragedy and beauty in it. The Lord invented the electric guitar so Richard Thompson could one day play it on the opening for "Calvary Cross" and how you don't fall in love with Linda on the title track is beyond me.

My favourite R&LT album

Great folk rock. Great songs. Everything is great about this album which I have loved for quite some time now. Always enjoyable and an enduring piece of art from Linda and Richard. Stands the test of time.

Whoa!

The kind of album one would listen to when they wanna be on a roadtrip by themselves

A very nice folk album with a lot going for it, the track "The Calvary Cross" is the star here but the album is pretty solid throughout. This one probably ekes into the top rating.

Beautiful! The Irish vocals are evocative and stirring, and the composition is simple yet soulful. My aunt and uncle had shown me some Richard Thompson music a few years ago and I had liked it in a coffee house-earnest sort of way, but listening to this album gave much greater depth and feeling to his/their music. I called my aunt and uncle after having listened to this to tell them I get it now!

This is one of those treats that makes me glad I started doing this. Excellent folk album that I'd likely never have heard of if not for this site. The music is really pleasant.

Can’t get enough of that first track, just so moving and incredible. Also loved the beggar girl one, and the last song.

WONDERFUL.

"There's crazy people running all over town..." Listened to B4? No Tracks Already Saved on Spotify: None Standout Tracks: When I Get to the Border, The Calvary Cross, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, The End of the Rainbow, The Great Valerio (90/100)

I loved this!!!!

That beat drop in Calvary Cross was heavenly. Incredible album

A masterpiece. Title track one of the best of all time.

What a crazy heartbreaking collaboration. There voices and songs make my heart weep.

This was a lovely record. I quite enjoyed it and I had never heard of this duo. It feels nostalgic, yet ahead of its time. I almost think it was just barely too short which isn't something that's common on this list. I listened to it a couple times and it's one that I want to revisit in the future.

This was a damn near perfect folk rock album. Its old, current, and timeless all at once. The instrumentation is unique, but never siloed to acoustic instruments. The songwriting and storytelling is superb: songs of love, desperation, heartache, social, political. I first heard Richard Thompson when I was really into The Decemberists, because he is such an inspiration for that band. Though, admittedly, I couldn't really get past his voice. It felt like the goofier version of The Decemberists. Years went on, and as I've started to really explore bluegrass, I found that Richard Thompson is cited and covered a lot. So in recent years, I've listened to more of him and have grown to appreciate his songwriting magic. This album was great! I had never listened to it. I love the back and forth between Richard and Linda. How they compliment each other and how this record just feels really round.

Really just a masterpiece, definitely should be on the list. Incredible songs, great vocals and Thompson’s guitar playing is excellent throughout

The title track is so good, I'm giving it a 5 after only 1 listen.

A very sweet balm 2 soothe the sensitive soul... first 5/5 I've never heard so far :) !