I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

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

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

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.

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

Bit of a masterpiece really

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!

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.

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"

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

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.

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

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

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.

Morris dancers sing Don McLean. Dire.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Absolutely terrible, who’s deciding on these albums?

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?

Poop

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

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

Nope

Not my cup of tea

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

Pants.

This was so bad lmfaoooo

hermoso

Like the original angus and julia stone. Loved the harmonies.

Like it.

Great British folk. Really heartwarming in places. Strong Neil Young and nick drake vibes in places.

Явудивление

Don't tell anyone about this album which is by far and away one of the greatest kept secrets in music. I have listened to it hundreds of times and it just never lets me down. It was like revisiting an old friend with whom you never quarrel. The transition to Calvary Cross has to be one of the greatest in modern music history. Try not to cry when the existential wall hits you and you now know there is 'Nothing at the End of the Rainbow'. I always want to know more. Who were the Thompsons? Why were they so good? How come they never got famous? But I decided a long time ago intentionally NOT to open any of those boxes and potentially spoil the music. So dense and each song standing so alone that every song is like an album. If I was trapped on a desert island and could only have five albums, this would probably be one of them.

Perfect Saturday/Sunday morning music

Aldrig hört talas om men det var ju jättebra. Tyckte det lät så mycket Fairport Covention. Efter litte googlande så förstår jag varför.

Hitting the right spot today

First thought - well, the cover is extremely reminiscent of the graffiti you come across in the Last of Us, but particularly the TV iteration, the 1st of which we watched last night. To the music - Wonderful. I love this, and I was caught unawares. Never listened to any Fairport Convention to speak of (I guess I'll look forward to that when they come up). The vocals, the instrumentation, the songs, the lyrics, all pretty much perfect. I listened to it twice on repeat. I think getting heavily into Richard Dawson in recent years, and into this kind of folk in general, has primed me for this little masterpiece. Faves - Title track, Calvary Cross, Has he Got a Friend For Me, End of the Rainbow.

Looking at today's album cover, and having no idea who Richard and Linda Thompson are, I wouldn't have guessed that I was in for a folk record, but that is what I got. Not only a folk record, but a phenomenal folk record that mixes country and blues sensibilities into its sound as well! Turns out Richard Thompson was the lead guitarist and songwriter for the band Fairport Convention, before he broke off and did his own thing with his then wife Linda. The harmonies they can achieve, and the music they created on this record is amazing. Linda has a beautiful voice, and it adds a hint of beauty to Richards bleak songwriting style. The End of the Rainbow is a particularly bleak, but beautiful song. Every song on this record is amazing in its own right. From the fast paced, upbeat I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight to the slow ballad Withered and Died where Linda took the role of lead singer. Overall, thoroughly enjoyed today's album. So much so, that I listened to it three times cover to cover, and found something new to love about it each time. I will definately revisit this one, and will add it to my regular listening. Favourite songs: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, We Sing Hallelujah, The Calvary Cross, When I Get To the Border, Withered and Died, Down Where the Drunkards Roll, The Little Beggar Girl Least favourite song: The Great Valerio 5/5

I Want to See the Bright Lights" is the second album by English singer/songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson and the first with his then wife Linda Thompson. The album was not commercially successful and was not released outside the UK until 1983. Apparently, a vinyl shortage in 1974 contributed. It is now considered a classic of English folk rock. Yeah, lots to like here. Lyrically dark songs. Linda's haunting vocals and, of course, Richard's guitar. We started out rollicking with the pub-style "When I Get to the Border." Uplifting and great, great guitar. An accordion. A mandolin. A tin Whistle. Linda Thompson's backing vocals. And A Crumhorn. Yes! Oh, about a guy drinking himself to death. Linda takes the lead on "Withered and Died." The slide guitar takes this in a country direction. An abandoned woman at the end of her rope. Richard let's loose with he electric guitar on the rockin' "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight." Cascading horns. Work's over; it's time to party. "The Little Beggar Girl" sounds like a traditional folk song. Linda on lead vocals. Richard on backing. Mandolin. Acoustic guitar. I think disdain for the rich. You can barely hear Richard on the somber "The End of the Rainbow." Slow. A father telling a newborn of the disappointments that lay ahead. The album ends with "The Great Valerio." Stark with basically only Richard's guitar and Linda's vocals telling the story of toghtrope walker The Great Valerio and how the audience is not willing take a similar chance. This album is worth listening to just for Richard's guitar. The lyrics on this album are dark but brilliant. The music varies. A definite must listen. It's been awhile since I listened to "Shoot Out The Lights." I'll need to put that on soon.

Great folk rock. Linda's strong voice perfectly complemented Richard's inventive guitar, and the songs themselves struck a nice balance of hope and hopelessness.

Önskar att jag köpt Fairport och Thompsonplattor i stället alla Jefferson Airplane… sent skall syndaren vakna.

I liked the exotic folksy feel of this album and Richard and Linda’s voices. Very nice!

Delightful. A ray of sunshine, with a bit of shadow. Just the way I like it.

Absolutely fantastic album, love it love it love it

Brilliant singer songwriting, earthy and witty, even slaps on occasion, shows that the genre is not staid and repetitive. ‘A couple of drunken nights rolling on the floor Is just the kind of mess that I'm looking for’ is a terrific line.

Might have just been in the mood for this but loved it, atmospheric folk 4.6

Brass is exquisitely played in Bright Lights Tonight, vocals twist unexpectedly for something that seems straight forward. Very surprising. They couldn't be better matched to draw so much out of each other. No rush, just time for a song to be.

Absolutely loved this. Great songwriting and the Thompsons add so much character to each song. I want to give this 4 stars because they’re British but I’ll let it slide this time.

Not a big fan of country music style

Great fun :) I like this kind of stuff, just a good vibe. I would definitely immediately get this album if I see it in a second hand store ^^ Perfect to turn on when doing some light household tasks.

Lovely stuff. 5 stars.

None of my favorite Thompson songs are on this album (Beeswing, 1952 Vincent) but it's still fun. The variety of styles and harmonies are really beautiful.

Lovely stuff. Timeless

I really liked the album, it had a slower melancholy feel to the songs that I enjoyed. I liked Has He Got A Friend For Me and The Great Valerio the best.

Beautiful album.

Highlights: The Cavalry Cross I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight Withered and Died

I first heard this on another list of great albums and remember enjoying it. That didn’t change this time. Very good listen.

Folk dueling vocals, sharp lyrics and timeless melodies. A winner then and a winner now.

Pretty good country / folk album! Catchy tunes mixed in with sadder and more emotional songs. I couldn’t tell which I prefer, haha. The pacing, the writing, the instrumentation, it’s all great. This just really good, honestly.

The title song has been stuck in my head since I first listened to it a couple years ago. So warm and nostalgic.

9/10 Liked this one a lot, completely new to me Great idea, well executed: do a Celtic folk album with aspects of the contemporary 70s rock, country, even prog Very good production, loved the choices and deployment of the traditional instruments, great musicianship throughout Vocals were at their best when both were singing Preferred the uptempo stuff to the ballads This is the first album in a while from a genre I don’t know that was an obvious classic Best: I Want to see the bright lights tonight

Stunningly beautiful album. Wonderful songs, performed brilliantly.

Keep going back to this lovely understated album. Quintessentially English and a breath of fresh air.

This was a wild find. never heard it before and i dug it. Very 70s.

Oh this is fantastic Wonderful folk tunes and some great guitar work

This is what country should be. Amazing folk. Just spectacular production, lyrics and themes. Perfection.

50 years old, and most of it sounds like it could have been written yesterday. The way their voices work together reminds me of Exene and John Doe from X 10 years later.

Wow

Wow, gorgeous

p326. 1974. 5 stars. Magnificent 70s Brit folk rock. Great vocals, great guitar work. Not a weak track on this.

Nostalgie purer Sound.

Ah, I love Richard and Linda Thompson—I'm excited to see they made it on the list. Linda’s lovely voice combined with Richard’s gutsy guitars makes for a winning combo. This specific album aligns with my ardent admiration for miserable music. 'Withered and Die' floats by with an ostensibly careless air, yet the lyrics reflect a weary and depressed resignation from life. 'The End of the Rainbow' is just as bleak as can be. Indeed, with such darkness all around, a desire to see bright lights tonight makes some sense.

Kind of hard to define it against any one genre. Some beautifully natural and in the pocket guitar playing that sounds like it's been played on a guitar that's been very well worn in. Some other crazy instrumentation scattered throughout, could've sworn I heard some (very tasteful) kazoo, or at least a kazoo synth-preset. Incredible chemistry between the male and female voicing. Melancholy but never truly sad stories, all in a wonderful Wednesday walk companion.

Folk's not really my thing, but this felt like it would make a really high-quality soundtrack to something. The words I caught were nice. The live tracks were very nice.

I've listened to and enjoyed this before, so falling asleep to it after a day where I was feeling anxious for no reason is actually a huge compliment imo. Plus the title track is an all time classic.

I had a good time discovering this album

Easy and sweet

Didn't think I'd like it but it's stunning!!

Production: 11/20 Songwriting: 15/20 Innovation: 10/20 Bangers: 15/20 Emotional response: 15/20 = 66 Pleasantly surprised

Nice album.

Okay, I by and large loved this! Now I’m thinking I maybe didn’t give the Fairport Convention album a fairport chance, guys. I’ll see what I can do about that. But in the meantime I’ll leave you with this little pearl of wisdom: “Lightning Crashes” by Live is “Calvary Cross” with more shouting. Prove me wrong.

Du bon folk rock ! Un classique que je ne connaissais pas. 4.5.

Have a few beers and a sing around the campfire, and the chards morph into this album. Enjoyed the vocals and much of the guitar

Didn’t love didn’t hate, it was cute

Great album, not quite remarkable enough to warrant a 5.

Not bad...enjoyable even

First listen I thought this was good but not outstanding, however I’ve ended up putting it on at least four times over the day. Probably my favourite of the albums I was hearing for the first time during this.

When this album came up, I knew that I know some of Thompsons music. I tried to remember what I've heard before. I don't think it was anything from this album. I have listened to several tracks from Thompson, but I've never heard a full album. This was a solid, and enjoyable experience. "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" was my favorite track. I would listen to this album again.

nice

Couple of solid tunes, great atmosphere, but some of it lands a bit flat.

Pretty mellow, good acoustic ballads and nice use of brass for some background

Nicht das ganz große Meisterwerk, dass der englische Wikipedia-Artikel wie so oft etwas zu vollmundig versprochen hat (obwohl das bei Solid Air von John Martyn völlig gestimmt hat), aber doch eine 4.

Sou uma luz pequenina. Leva-me à estação onde as malas carregam pessoas rumo ao sul Sou uma luz pequenina. Uma que não escreve que pouco fala que fica em chamadas para o oeste distante chama acesa e potente à espera de um sopro. "Dirty people take what's mine / I can leave them all behind" MotA: Down where the drunkards roll

folksy

Didn't stick the way Fairport Convention did, but I'd be willing to give it another try to see if anything does. It still sounded very pleasant.

Classic folk with an amazing guitarist. What's the best thing to do when breaking up with the missus? Make an album about the break up obviously. Best Tracks: When I Get To The Border; I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight; Down Where The Drunkards Roll

Solid folk with great vocals. Best track: Down Where the Drunkards Roll

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.