I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Very good album. Enjoy it on my drive

## In-Depth Review: *I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight* by Richard & Linda Thompson ### **Overview** Released in 1974, *I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight* marks the first full-length collaboration between Richard Thompson, a founding member of Fairport Convention, and his then-wife Linda Thompson. Though initially overlooked commercially, the album has since become a cornerstone of British folk-rock, lauded for its lyrical depth, inventive arrangements, and emotional resonance[5][7]. --- ## **Lyrics** The album’s lyrics are widely recognized for their bleak, poetic realism and psychological nuance. Richard Thompson’s songwriting on this record is often described as “rife with dark imagery,” establishing his reputation as a master of melancholy and existential reflection[1][5]. - **Themes of Despair and Disillusionment:** Tracks like “Withered and Died” and “Has He Got a Friend for Me” explore shattered dreams and profound loneliness. Linda’s delivery of “Withered and Died” is especially poignant, portraying a young woman devastated by lost love[1][3]. “Down Where The Drunkards Roll” paints a stark picture of life among society’s outcasts, while “The End of the Rainbow” is a father’s brutally honest warning to his newborn about the disappointments of life[1][5]. - **Escapism and Rebellion:** The title track, “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight,” offers a rare moment of exuberance, capturing the longing for release from the drudgery of working-class life through a night of reckless abandon. The lyrics celebrate chaos and the urge to reject social norms, set against the backdrop of a bustling, unpredictable city night[2][6]. - **Social Commentary:** “The Little Beggar Girl” uses a jaunty folk melody to highlight England’s class divisions, while “We’ll Sing Hallelujah” juxtaposes an uplifting chorus with verses that evoke the futility and vanity of existence, echoing the tone of Ecclesiastes[1]. - **Character Studies:** Many tracks are intimate character sketches, rendered in everyday language but elevated by their emotional honesty and subtle irony. This approach roots the album in the British folk tradition while addressing contemporary anxieties[4]. --- ## **Music** Musically, the album is a radical advance in English folk rock, blending traditional instrumentation with modern songwriting and arrangements[2][5]. - **Instrumentation:** The album features a rich palette: acoustic and electric guitars, accordion, mandolin, tin whistle, and even crumhorn. The arrangements are inventive yet never overbearing, allowing the songs’ emotional core to shine through[5]. - **Stylistic Range:** The record traverses a wide emotional and musical spectrum. “When I Get to the Border” opens with a rollicking, pub-style energy, while “Withered and Died” veers into country-inflected balladry. The title track’s driving rhythm and brass band accompaniment inject a sense of urgency and celebration[2][5]. - **Vocal Performances:** Linda Thompson’s voice is a highlight-haunting, expressive, and perfectly attuned to the album’s shifting moods. Her vocals are especially effective on tracks demanding both exuberance and bleak despair, often surpassing Richard’s more reserved delivery[3][4]. Richard’s guitar work is consistently inventive and empathetic, providing both melodic hooks and emotional shading[5]. --- ## **Production** The album’s production, overseen by Richard Thompson and John Wood, is notable for its clarity and restraint. - **Atmosphere:** The production creates an intimate, almost live feel, emphasizing the interplay between vocals and instruments. There’s little studio gloss; instead, the focus is on authenticity and emotional immediacy[5]. - **Balance:** The mix allows every instrument to be heard without crowding the vocals, supporting the narrative without distraction. The use of traditional instruments is never gimmicky, and the occasional addition of brass or slide guitar expands the sonic palette without breaking the album’s cohesion[5]. --- ## **Themes** Thematically, the album is a meditation on disappointment, escapism, social marginalization, and fleeting moments of joy. - **Darkness vs. Light:** The contrast between the yearning for “bright lights” and the pervasive sense of defeat and resignation is central. Even the moments of celebration are tinged with desperation, suggesting that joy is always provisional and hard-won[1][6]. - **Human Frailty:** The songs are populated by outsiders, dreamers, and the dispossessed-characters who find solace in fleeting pleasures or stoically endure life’s hardships[1][3]. - **British Identity:** The album’s lyrics and instrumentation are deeply rooted in British folk tradition, yet the stories are unmistakably modern, bridging past and present[4]. --- ## **Influence** *I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight* is now regarded as a classic, profoundly influencing the development of folk rock and singer-songwriter genres. - **Legacy:** The album’s blend of traditional and modern elements set a template for later artists seeking to fuse folk authenticity with contemporary songwriting. Its unflinching emotional honesty and narrative richness have inspired generations of musicians[5][7]. - **Critical Acclaim:** Though not a commercial success upon release-partly due to a vinyl shortage-it has since been recognized as a landmark, consistently ranked among the best British albums of the 1970s[7]. --- ## **Pros and Cons** | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Lyrically profound and emotionally resonant; songs are rich in character and narrative | The persistent bleakness may be off-putting to some listeners seeking lighter fare[1][5] | | Inventive arrangements and instrumentation; seamless blend of folk, rock, and other genres | Richard’s vocals, especially in comparison to Linda’s, can sound thin or unpolished on some tracks[3][4] | | Linda Thompson’s vocal performances are exceptional, conveying both strength and vulnerability | The album’s understated production, while authentic, may lack the polish or dynamic range of more commercial records[5] | | Richard Thompson’s guitar work is consistently creative and expressive | Initial lack of commercial success and limited early distribution may have delayed its recognition[5][7] | | Cohesive mood and atmosphere; every track contributes to the album’s overarching themes | The unrelenting darkness can make repeated listening emotionally taxing for some | --- ## **Conclusion** *I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight* endures as a masterwork of British folk rock, celebrated for its lyrical sophistication, musical inventiveness, and emotional depth. The album’s unflinching exploration of life’s disappointments and fleeting joys, rendered through haunting vocals and evocative arrangements, makes it both timeless and deeply affecting. While its pervasive darkness and understated production may not appeal to every listener, its influence and artistry are undeniable. This is an album that rewards repeated listening, revealing new layers of meaning and musical detail with each encounter.

Unexpectedly really liked this. Great early pop folk music. Will most likely return to it on chill nights!

This was a stunning album for me. Folk songs with range, depth, and beauty. I loved both the vocalists and can’t wait to revisit this and listen to the lyrics again.

I can hear Gillian Welsh being influenced by them. What love for music and talent for Americana. This is a keeper. 4.5/5

What a delightful listen. Horns for days on the title track. The guitar work throughout this album it’s so fucking good. I’m a big fan of Steve Gunn and it’s so clear now that he’s so influenced by Richard Thompson. The Calvary Cross might as well be a Songs:Ohia tune (https://open.spotify.com/track/5Plx6OhvSukqCRdZ52wUXz?si=pUCvTyeXRzGTkc3zD4VWsw) The album jumps around genres, cultures and leaps from soft masculinity to fiery femininity. Fun fun fun!!! Love the Irish vibes.

Listening to this whole doing the dishes. I feel like you either gotta be driving or doing dishes. I know absolutely nothing about this band and album. Nothing at all. WHEN I GET TO THE BORDER has some really incredible guitar work. I love how it switches styles needlessly but it totally works. Guitar wants to kill your momma vibes. Love the spooky vocal harmonies on CALVARY CROSS. Richard Thompson vocals walked so neutral milk hotel vocals could belly flop on pavement. I WANT TO SEE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT is so fucking cool what the fuck. That steezy lil guitar and then the fucking trumpet what the fuck? who can’t identify with the lyrics. This sounds so waaay way ahead of its time. These guys basically invented indie B side is gorgeous sounding…but doesn’t take my breath away like A did. It settles in, which I think is ok. THE GREAT VALERIO is a haunting closer. And it ends so abruptly!!! I’m a sucker for folk rock and I can see how this album might have influenced bands decades later. It helped my attention for the whole duration. I’d love to own it. Solid 5 for me, despite the less compelling b side.

Я не знаю точно, почему, но мне очень хочется дать этому альбому 5 звезд. Лучшая песня - I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight.

I'll be thinking about this one for a while

there’s something very sad about this album to me ngl, hits real hard emotionally. amazing stuff

Masterful

Yup. Def one you should hear.

This was great - emotional, smart, great music with great performances. One I will want to add to the collection.

This album would sound just as unique if it were made 51 years later. Great husband and wife combo making original music. Sadly they had to do the highly unoriginal divorce thing down the road.

I really didn't know what to expect from this one. The description of it being a country/folk album had me concerned. But I'm very pleasantly surprised by this one. There is some fantastic songwriting here, which clicks now that I realize Richard Thompson was a member of Fairport Convention. He's clearly taken a lot from that experience into this release with a fair number of Celtic inspired elements. But this album really goes beyond simple English folk music and could have really held its own against the contemporary music of the mid-70s. I say could have as it was a sadly neglected album upon its release, taking another decade before being released outside of the UK, which undoubtedly hurt its longterm legacy. But there's something kind of magical about the idea of the overlooked masterpiece, like a prized secret within the collections of people in the know. I'd say it's high to reevaluate this one. But in the meantime, I'm glad to have discovered it today.

I LOVE IT HERE GOAT OBVIOUSLY

Simply just some Very Great folk. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump up to a 5. I’m learning that I’m a sucker for vivid imagery in folksier singer-songwriter albums like this, but more than that, I’m a sucker for when the world reveals itself within a track. I love focusing on slices of life sometimes, but when a line just *clicks* and reveals so much beyond what’s being presented in the lyrics, those are the aha moments that stick with me and make me appreciate the quality of the songwriting. This album does that plenty of times, and it’s probably why I’m really, really into it – it certainly helps that they pair that with great instrumentation that feels befitting and adds onto the atmosphere of each track instead of just being there for the sake of qualifying as music. It also helps that Linda Thompson sounds a lot like Emmylou Harris & her vocals harmonize brilliantly with Richard’s. I’m really stunned he has the first name basis on the album cover, since she has way more of a spotlight. It’s not a perfect album; I do think this leans into sad themes a few too many times, which sort of contrasts with the brighter soundscape in a way that lends itself to quicker burnout potential. When it’s on one though, it’s a fantastic album – stuff like “Withered and Died”, “Down Where the Drunkards Roll” and especially “The End of the Rainbow” are heartrendingly sad, but so well written, composed & performed that I think it’s impossible not to admire them. Hence, the 5, because I admire too much of this album to not give it that bump – the only track I’m down on is “Has He Got A Friend For Me”, simply because modern cynicism over guilt-driven manipulation makes that track read much differently now than it would’ve read in 1974, and even then, that might just be a personal thing. I think the rest of it is really good; a few tracks might lean into that “first minute” syndrome, but the quality of the performances and the imagery override any complaints I could bring up. It’s a really recommended listen; for me, it’s no less than a 4, and pretty easy to bump up to a 5.

Solid folk rock. Richard's guitar playing and both of their voices make this one a delight. Gonna give it the ol' 4.5 rounded up because imI want to give it another couple listens ASAP

This is an album I had on cassette having taped it from a friend. Those were the days when the budget limited what could be bought and there would be an agreement on which album to buy and those to copy. Having seen them tour the album it was played for some time until the inevitable happened and he tape twisted that no end of pencil twiddling could repair. Many many years late fate intervened and when out geocaching one day the CD of the album was found in a geocache and duly swapped with something of dubious quality. Despite being in a container exposed to the elements the album was listened to in the car on the way home. It has been a staple ever since. A more than fine example of stretched english folk with strong songwriting, sparkling harmonies plus some scalding guitar.

Not often that you can point to an album and say without a second thought this is the best ever. This is the best folk-rock album ever made. It's 100% rock and 100% folk at the same time, thus deserving of 10 stars. The version I have on CD - also the current Spotify version - has the 10 minute version of Calvary Cross which is the song then six minutes of awesume RT shredding. So add 100% axe hero to the mix too. Linda is also the best folk-rock vocalist who's not Sandy Denny, but the songs here just so much stronger than Liege and Lief. there's still Krummhorn and accordion, but less of the clogs and finger in the ear vibe than Fairport.

Love this album. Enjoyed it!

This album is so Scottish

Such a great album, and perfect for the fall. Definitely listen to Life of the Record podcast on this one, it’s fantastic.

Oh, yeah. That’s the shit. I’ve heard it before. I’ll listen again. Linda shines through on this one.

so good. i LOVE folk omgomg

This belongs up there with the albums we’ve gotten on this list so far from Carol King, Paul Simon, The Cars, and a few others. It is PERFECT. Every song brings something subtle and wonderful to the table. It’s more proof that it’s not about how loud a song is that determines how powerful it feels. Each track is an expert display in mood and contrast and harmony. Every song feels like a journey and it’s one of those albums that makes me so glad I’m listening to this list because otherwise I might never have heard this. Everything was spectacular, but my personal haunting favorite was The Great Valerio.

I’m surprising myself and giving this a 5. It really grew on me over several listens. Even the more kooky folksie numbers. Another great find from the generator. One reviewer compares this with Frightened Rabbit and I hear it

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.

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.

Nostalgie purer Sound.

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

Wow, gorgeous

Wow

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.

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

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

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

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

Stunningly beautiful album. Wonderful songs, performed brilliantly.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Beautiful album.

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.

Lovely stuff. Timeless

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. 5 stars.

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.

Not a big fan of country music style

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.

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.

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

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.

Absolutely fantastic album, love it love it love it

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Hitting the right spot today

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

Perfect Saturday/Sunday morning music

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.

Явудивление

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

Like it.

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

hermoso

Very good album. 10 songs and less than 40 minutes. That's how it should be. It is a bit "too folk" for my personal taste and, for some reaaon, I prefer when Richard sings. Some songs I enjoyed: "When I Get To The Border" (probably my favourite), "The Cavarly Cross" (nice guitar), "Down Where the Drunkards Roll", "Has he got Friend for me", "The End of the Rainbow", or "The Great Valerio" (nice outro). Overall, I think this deserves a solid 4 star rating.

The melodies are wonderfully crafted and the vocals, especially when they both join in, are as good as they get within the genre. Just sit back and enjoy.

I dont have much to say about this album. This album sounds like, at times, frolicking in the forest, resting in a field and yearning. I dont think theres a really bad thing I can say about this album, theres nothing that holds it back, production wise or lyrically. There are moments I wished packed a bigger punch or the exact opposite where they pulled back a bit. 8.5/10

It was good I'd have to give it another listen

Excited to get this one. This is an album and artist that I discovered in the midst of COVID randomly, and I remember it getting me through some tough days. Love the artistry and the songwriting. This is sooooo influential to 2000s era folk and indie rock. You can hear traces of so many bands, but I especially hear The Decemberists and Songs: Ohia. Really love this album.

Guys, I think I used up all of my "actually thinking somewhat deeply about an album for once" energy for that Disintegration review yesterday. I'm struggling to think of interesting things to say about this album. That's not a fault of the album though, because if it was, that would imply that I don't care for this album, which is certainly not true. I actually really enjoyed I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, but there also isn't anything super unique I can say here. It's just a really nice 70s folk rock album. The album straddles the line of folk and rock pretty well. Both Richard and Linda Thompson have good singing voices. The songwriting is pretty good. I like all of the songs on here, though I do think that the album is a little front-loaded, with the first half having the album's best songs like "When I Get to the Border," "The Calvary Cross," and the title track. 1974 is usually seen as a pretty bad year for music, but albums like this prove that it wasn't all bad for the music world in 1974. I enjoyed this album. Decent 4/5.

Oh yes, this is so far up my street it's knocking on my door. It feels so much more modern - even 'alt' than their previous guises on the project, and at times really brings to mind much more modern artists, even including Frightened Rabbit (why Midnight Organ Fight isn't on this Project is beyond me by the way). I think it's in the vocal delivery of Richard, which is really raw and very untreated. Linda is a little more traditionally folky, but the juxtaposition of the two is nice to hear. One or two songs - Little Beggar Girl and The Great Valerio especially - let it down a touch, but all told, this has been a really great discovery.

This is the saddest fucking album in the world and I absolutely love it. In “Withered and Died” at 25 seconds Linda sings “tells” in such a way that just absolutely breaks my heart. Same thing when she sings “it only costs a pound” one minute into “Down Where the Drunkards Roll”. Chills. Literal chills. Linda Thompson’s voice is so sad and so beautiful. Richard Thompson is one of my all-time favorite guitarists and plays with a level of emotion and expressiveness that I can’t really think of someone comparable. The sequencing is also really well done. They ease you in a bit with the opening track which is depressing but also kind of fun; then Richard goes HAM on guitar with “Calvary Cross;” and then when you are about to kill yourself after “Withered and Died” they give you “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight” and “Down Where the Drunkards Roll” which are incredibly bleak, but fuck-it-let’s-get-drunk bleak, and so bring you up for the second side to break your heart good and proper by the time it gets to “The End of the Rainbow” a song where a baby is informed that life is nothing but misery and that it has nothing to grow up for. If I had to criticize this album for anything, I’d say that the second side starts off a little slow and “The Great Valerio” is not what I would have chosen for a closer. But those are quibbles. This album is great. Listen to it, get depressed, and have yourself a ball. Or a bawl. Or both.

I really want to know the story behind the cover. 4/5

I liked this alot - particularly the first few songs. Simple but varied instrumentation and straight-forward songs with nice melodies. Gets a little depressing toward the end. Felt like I was picking up a lot of Christian themes, but only the sad and foreboding ones and none of the hope? Which feels like the worst of both worlds. Still, that's an unusual vibe to even attempt and so I give them credit for the innovation, however misguided.

this has grown on me. Very melancholic, strong focus on the lyrics (English ain't my first language but you feel that in the music). You have to be in the right mood for this album, so if you're feeling bluesy - it's a perfect match. Nice mellow folk-rock sound, good singers' voices. Just maybe don't give it a listen on a beach day, will be odd

Really nice album

An album you'll find in the catalogues of all the members of both Uncle Tupelo and the Pogues. Wonderful Irish-ish folk. Enjoyable.

A truly great album. The title track is one of the best songs ever written about going out drinking on a Friday night

You are on absolute fire RPG❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4 stars!!!!!!!!

Gentle folk, had some accordion and vowed strings making me think slightly polka

When this appeared in the randomiser, I confess my heart sank slightly. Not because I dislike Richard Thompson. More because I have spent enough time around discussions of English folk music to develop a mild defensive reflex. There is a certain type of listener who can explain the significance of a ballad collected in 1893 with the zeal of an evangelical preacher, and I feared I was about to spend forty minutes wandering through a landscape populated by tragic maidens, doomed farmhands and men whose principal hobby is explaining modes. The surprise is that this album is hardly about any of that. What struck me most throughout was how modern it feels. Not modern in sound, obviously. Modern in outlook. The songs are populated by recognisable human beings rather than folk archetypes. They drink, work, dream, make mistakes, tell themselves stories, chase pleasures and occasionally confront realities they would rather avoid. The folk tradition is present, but it has already passed through pubs, dance halls and market towns. This isn’t England preserved in aspic. It’s England inhabited. The opening song, When I Get To The Border, initially seemed almost slight. A man talking about going somewhere else. Yet as it unfolded it became clear that the border in question is probably not a national frontier at all but the final crossing. The song’s quiet power lies in its refusal to dramatise death. It treats it as a journey already undertaken by those who mattered most. The destination is uncertain, but the longing is unmistakable. From there the album repeatedly returns to the question of how people live with uncertainty. The Calvary Cross wraps artistic obsession and emotional burden inside a hypnotic arrangement that feels oddly contemporary. The spectral percussion, the drone and the starkness of the performance create a mood that reminded me less of folk-rock than of the emotional directness of John Lennon’s early solo work. It isn’t interested in providing answers. It is interested in the weight people choose to carry. The title track arrives like a shaft of light through the clouds. Linda Thompson’s performance changes the song completely. Sung by Richard, it might have become an observation. Sung by Linda, it becomes a declaration of intent. She doesn’t sound like a character being studied. She sounds like someone who has worked hard all week and intends to enjoy herself. The presence of the CWS Band is inspired. It gives the song what I can only describe as a municipal romance. Not glamour. Not decadence. A town turning its lights on and deciding that life is worth participating in. That idea of participation runs through much of the record. The songs are rarely interested in exceptional people. They are interested in ordinary people attempting to negotiate ordinary existence. Workers in We Sing Hallelujah. Drinkers in Down Where The Drunkards Roll. Lovers, dreamers, opportunists and the wonderfully entrepreneurial protagonist of The Little Beggar Girl, who turns out not to be a victim at all but a professional operating a remarkably successful nationwide enterprise and taking evident pleasure in relieving snobs of their money. One of the most fascinating songs is Down Where The Drunkards Roll. It would be easy to hear it as a cautionary tale about alcohol. It is much more interesting than that. The song observes people pursuing what they believe will satisfy them. The boys in their finery. The lover seeking “the real thing”. The dreamers and self-mythologisers. Drink becomes less the subject than the mechanism through which illusion collides with reality. The refrain has a democratic quality. Whatever stories people tell about themselves, gravity eventually enters the conversation. The album’s reputation for bleakness rests largely on The End Of The Rainbow, and initially I thought that reputation was justified. Yet the more closely I listened, the less cynical the song appeared. Its target is not hope itself but false hope. The narrator isn’t telling a child that life is meaningless. He is telling them that the comforting myths adults tell children are unreliable. There is something almost startlingly contemporary about it. At times it brought Richard Dawson to mind: not because the songs are similar, but because both writers are deeply suspicious of sentimentality while remaining profoundly interested in human beings. That balance is one of the album’s greatest strengths. Thompson sees clearly. He notices weakness, delusion, disappointment and compromise. Yet there is remarkably little contempt anywhere on the record. Even the most foolish characters are treated as people rather than targets. The camera observes, but it does not prosecute. Which makes The Great Valerio such a perfect conclusion. Having stripped away illusions throughout the album, Thompson ends not with despair but with possibility. The image of people becoming “acrobats of love” is unexpectedly moving. We watch acrobats not because they deceive us but because they demonstrate what is possible. They expand our sense of the achievable. After an album full of hard truths, that feels like a quietly radical note on which to end. The final surprise came from the live bonus material. Hearing Richard and Linda tackle Buck Owens’ Together Again felt less like an appendix and more like a key. For all the album’s Englishness - its pubs, brass bands, communal rituals and market-town sensibility - its emotional DNA often feels closer to great country music than to the stereotype of folk-rock. The concerns are the same: ordinary people trying to navigate love, disappointment, work, hope and reality without losing their appetite for living. That, ultimately, is what stayed with me. This is not an album about tradition. It is an album about people. About the stories they tell themselves, the burdens they carry, the pleasures they pursue and the ways they keep going when life turns out to be less accommodating than promised. I spent most of the album waiting for it to become the record I feared it would be. It never did. Instead, it became something much rarer: a record that sees humanity clearly and likes it anyway.

If Folk Rock is your thing I highly recommend this album! Very beautiful music even if not something I would usually like.

Nice music and chill vocals. Love the folk sound. Linda's singing is definitely the highlight, but Richard holds his own. The music is wonderful. Overall an enjoyable album. Each song by itself is a 3, but overall I'll bump it up to a 4. Best song: I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

I like it - especially the ones with that reeded instrument they play on recordings of Baroque-era songs.

This is comfy 70's vibes. Reminds me of Cat Stevens or Carol King.

About time we had some proper folk type music, instead of the American twaddle. Although best known for his Vincent Black Lightening, this was a fair offering from Mr Thompson. But the best of the bunch by far was the title track performed by his wife. To have a song about going out and painting the town red done by a lady was pure genius. Good album all in all. (Still waiting for some Roy Harper though)

Music, like clothes and coffee has seasonal variations. And this is very much a winter album, the title track and its brass band is the soundtrack to a walk through December slush and Calvary Cross is a song of the fading light. Their voices are weary and downcast, but Richard Thompsons guitar offers little metallic slashes of respite. It’s bleak, but there’s beauty in it

Ikke hørt før. Falt i smak, og sistesporet spesielt var knall.

Positivt overraska! Kjempefint.

Fine saker. Tittelsporet e så bra at det dyttes opp til en firer

Great Album. Had a great time listening to it. I really enjoyed the folk rock

Although I’ve known about Richard and Linda Thompson for a long time, I only really got into them about 25 years ago. And even then I could only dip in and out, without feeling nonplussed. But today, they hit me in the right place and I really enjoyed it. I can see me keep dipping in and out again. This is timeless and definitely deserves to be on the list.

I was a little surprised by the album. It is good. Is it groundbreaking enough to be on this list? I haven't decided. It opens very strongly and struggles to maintain that vibe.

A really decent album that I enjoyed to listen to more than once. Good length and stylistically interesting. I really enjoyed Unhalfbricking when I got that earlier in the project and this has some similarities to that I think. Not quite the same level of joy perhaps, but then I **really** enjoyed that album. This wasn't quite up to that standard, but I'm likely to listen to it again, so it's a clear 4 stars

The Calvary Cross is one of my favorite songs of all time, and my guitar playing owes a lot to Richard Thompson. The rest of the album is great, but I can see how the sort of Village folk subjects and singing voices can turn people off.

Absolutely yes, sweet and melodic + twang

Basically, let’s go out and get wrecked.

Hat zur Stimmung gepasst deshalb

Álbum gostoso de se ouvir, traz uma sensação maravilhosa… parece que tem alma própria

they should let the girl sing more

Folk rock classic, dark, hopeless The calvary cross I want to see the bright lights tonight The end of the rainbow The great valerio

Low 4. I love folk music, this album felt just like a lullaby!! Good stuff, but definitely not the best of the best. I need to re-listen while actually reading the lyrics

Gem, one of the most vulnerable sounds I've ever heard, an album lost to time but shouldn't be

#relisten

Strong 3,5

Pretty good album. The more traditional folk elements can be a bit much but the songs are all great.

This was a cool album. Definitely something I’d listen to again. I feel like it’s going to take more than one listen to really appreciate. 4/21/26

Me encantó este álbum. No conocía este dúo, pero la química que tienen para hacer música juntos se nota muchísimo. No estoy muy metido en el folk, pero aun así disfruté cada canción que escuché. La voz de la cantante es muy linda y transmite un montón de sentimiento. En general, todo el álbum me pareció buenísimo, pero destacaría especialmente “When I Get To The Border”, “The Calvary Cross”, “I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight” y, sobre todo, “Withered And Died”. En resumen: un 9/10.

Been begging for some Fairport Convention lore and I’ll take it, this is as close as I’ve been on here. Never heard this one before, but I did know going into it that Richard Thompson wrote one of my favorite songs of all time by FC “Meet on the ledge” As for this album, Thompson brings along a lot of the qualities I love from Fairport, but in a more modern way for the time. I think this record loses a lot of that mythical esque feeling I get with those early Fairport record. This one has a stronger rock back bone and more twangy feel to it, but it still feels like a cozy fall album to bump. Linda Thompson helps heavy here to play that needed Sandy Denny type role. Standouts: I want to see the bright lights tonight, The Calvary Cross

Lovely stuff

Quality folk rick from the master guitar player and song writing. Elements edginess and very much continuing in the vein of airport convention.

#334/1001. I dig British Folk a lot, but I think this was the first time I listened to a whole Richard and Linda (why is she omitted from the artist title here?) Thompson album. Surprisingly the folkier songs are the weaker ones, generic convention stuff from some kind of a fairport, but the darker and moodier stuff is really haunting and mesmerizing. Definitely need to check out more.

Britisk folk rock fra ekteparet Richard og Linda. Melankolien er sterk her. Flott og behagelig. Top 3: I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, The End Of The Rainbow, Withered And Died

I saw Richard Thompson open up for Jason Isbell one time several years ago in South Carolina, and I sadly didn’t know exactly what I had witnessed. I noticed he played a very good guitar, but I didn’t realize how insanely gifted and honed his chops are on the instrument. He put on a fantastic solo acoustic set and I’m thankful I saw him. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight is also a fantastic record.

A nice, soft and moody feel but with just enough underlying energy to not get boring

Great folk rock album from the 70s by ex Fairport Convention member Richard Thompson and his wife Linda. It is a beautiful album, written and performed masterfully and produced so well by John Wood. Anything Island records touched during those years were golden.

Another one where I can't believe I haven't heard of it before! Great album with a lot of lovely songs - particularly like how well the singers harmonise. Strong 4 to a 5.

I actually enjoyed revisiting this far more then I expected. I think it must have been the nice weather or something. The Linda songs are the best ones

Very nice album. Even if at times it has Blue Peter theme vibes. Ive got a Richard Thompson album, its ok. But Linda's voice and their dynamic brings a lot more. Think i'll round it to a 4, Even 3.5 seems unkind

I generally enjoyed Linda's songs better, and I liked it when it got a bit dark towards the end.

No los conocía de nada y me ha gustado mucho. Me guardo "When I Get to the Border", "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight", "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" y "The Little Beggar Girl". Los volveré a escuchar.

really solid classic folk second half of when i get to the border has some incredible instrumentation the transitions between richard and linda thompson can feel a little jarring sometimes, but they both have lovely voices, linda especially the second half felt a little too irish-jiggy to me, but i could see the first half growing on me a lot highlights: when i get to the border, withered and died, i want to see the bright lights tonight 3.5/5

actually really great! never heard of Richard or Linda Thompson before but i absolutely enjoyed their sound!! the last albums i've gotten i wasn't crazy about the singers' vocals, but i ended up loving both Thompson's voices. currently it's winter as i'm typing this (almost spring but it's cold and there's still snow everywhere) and wow this made me miss summer. folk rock always sounds like summer to me, and I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight is the perfect example of that. very nostalgic and makes me want to lay under a warm sun. kind of gives me that same feeling of Wings, then again it might just be because it's a husband and wife duo lol favorite track(s): The Great Valerio. the vocals on this one were really beautiful, and it was a lovely ending to the album. the title track I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight is a good classic jam as well.

I’m not a folk person, but damn it, if it has sad songs in it, I will like it. This was very nice, I did not expect to like it.

What a great album! I loved this start to finish.

Total sucker for English folk music and they both have good voices. I will be listening to this again.

Linda Thompson not included as the artist because this list was dead set on having only 5 women artists. the English are cursed by having some of the corniest folk music possible, and that curse haunts this album. a bunch of it remains very good. there's an incredible version of Calvary Cross I don't know the source of but can be found on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3biCVTKwRQ

This sort of thing is near the fine line of overbearing corniness to me, but by the end it had fallen on the right side. 70s folk with a distinct and not unpleasant flavour. Some very nice guitar stuff, plus I have a soft spot for anything resembling a Family Band, so let’s be generous.

Geinig hoe Amerikaans dit album begint om vervolgens super Brits te zijn, en verderop ook zo te klinken. Het accent en de folkse melodieën geven dat snel weg. De beschrijving spreekt van een masterpiece. Dat gaat me wat ver. Maar ik ben wel overtuigd door de stemmen van beide Thompsons. Beide zijn niet perse super mooi maar wel puur en hebben iets unieks. In de samenzang zingt Richard heel laag. Linda klinkt wat meer zeurderiger maar klinkt wel als veel tijdgenoten uit de USA. De tracks waar wat tempo in zit liggen me het best. Al met al wel verrast door deze plaat. En ook gewoon zin om eindelijk weer eens een lekker cijfer uit te delen. 8/10 Highlights When I Get To the Border Down Here the Drunkards Roll We Sing Hallelujah

Klasik britanskog folk rocka sedamdesetih

Decent

I was surprised to find out this was English as it seems to me to have inspired a lot of Americana indie & alt country like Bonnie Prince Billy and Dwight Yoakham. Beautiful, melodic and enchanting. Opening side in particular the first 2 songs, When I Get To The Border and Calvary Cross and the title track are classics. Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars from me but rounding up today.

Best Irish album I’ve listened to so far

Generally a big fan. This album really features Linda Thompson quite strongly and she's just as important as Richard on this record. It's very interesting to compare these versions to the ones Richard would sing solo many years later.

Their second album. Rock / Folk. When I Get To The Border is a real nice opening track. The whole album is actually a nice surprise. Finding gems that were previously unknown to me is a large part of what this journey is all about. I Want To See The Bright Lights is another real good track. A very, very good album. Thirty six minutes flew by.

Pretty and sad

Really fun listen. Great vocals, fun mix of music, lyrics that were unexpectedly dark at times

I always liked Richard Thompson in Fairport Convention. This isn't quite as good, and Linda's voice isn't a patch on Sandy Denny. I like the slightly-depressing lyrics and music, an interesting take on neo-folk music. Four stars.

A good listen. Elements of this sound very modern. Other parts have hints of classic era Fleetwood Mac. His voice seems much stronger than hers. Particularly liked his guitar work, which managed to incorporate Celtic elements without going overboard. It started to drag a bit by the end but still a decent listen

Yeah very strong listen. Will listen more

Better than expected

2026.02.15

I had never heard of these two before but I really enjoyed their folky album. At times I was reminded of The Seekers and even of The Tragically Hip. Nothing revolutionary but just good and nice.

I don't know what genre this is but I really enjoyed it.

Lagan i fin album, najbolje pesme su kad peva Linda. Ocena za album 4/5

This album is a nice discovery for me. You can tell that the Thompson's put a lot of thought and care into each track. And the final result is probably the finest in English folk rock.

A great album, held back in just a couple of placed by some dated production things that I didn't enjoy. I have been a Richard Thompson solo fan for a while, but had never really gone into his work with Linda. I need to correct that.

Both Linda and Richard Thompson are great singers and Richard is a talented unique guitarist with Scottish influence.

Why is this only credited to Richard Thompson when the album is credited to Richard and Linda Thompson? Great Folk-Rock from two masters of the genre.

A beautiful record, dark with emotional songwriting. Some majestic playing too, though there’s the odd element of the sound that grates, so four, not five from me

A great, passionate folk rock effort. Despite the electric instrumentation, it doesn’t lose its traditional roots.

Did not finish yet but will come back

Wow, Richard Thompson was part of Fairport Convention for the two albums we had by them. The small world of music never ceases to amaze me! I liked this more than I thought I would. It feels like they're tapping into a folk sound that feels old-fashioned but also timeless in a weird way. The songs are kind of depressing, but there's also a sense of comfort that we're all in 'whatever all of this is' together.

Loved the folk rock vibes. This website says its only richard thompson but the version I listened to was a collaboration with Linda Thompson which I assume is his wife, made it more meaningful and poetic in a sense. Definitely a fun listen 4/5

Very easy listening. Title track is the most energetic for sure.

There’s a lot to love about this album. I appreciate a singer that keeps their accent prominent while they sing. I love that you never know what instruments will come next. On an ostensibly folk album, you have enough going on sonically that you never feel quite so bored with the classic ‘vocals and guitar’ combo. There’s accordions and horns flying in to keep different songs interesting. Some of the songs feel like they never get out of second gear sometimes, but that feels deliberate. Why would you want to distract from the beauty of Linda Thompson’s voice?

Really liked the first half of it. Like it genuinely didn't sound like something from 1971. Unfortunately the second half of the album didn't quite hold up as well but still really liked this. 8/10

Really liked this album but that’s not a surprise it being a 70s folk rock album, love that stuff gimme more always please

I saw this come up as my album of the day and thought, oh no, another folk album, but it turns out I like it! What? The reason why definitely isn't the pace. The fastest songs stop at mid-tempo and a lot of them are slow. It's not the singing, although in this case I prefer Richard's singing to his wife, whose delivery is rather anodyne. The subject matter gets some of the way there. Richard takes Christianity out behind the woodshed on "We Sing Hallelujah" (Richard and Linda would convert to Islam shortly after this album was recorded) and "The End Of The Rainbow" is some of the bleakest shit I've ever heard. Bleakness and cynicism are the heartbeats of this album, and you know what, in January 2026, that is hitting the spot for me right now. But even beyond the lyrics, there is a punchy instrumental underbelly to all these songs. Richard Thompson was a terrific guitarist (he's alive as of this review and 76 years old, so I don't know, maybe he still is) and has an ear for instrumentation. The music here isn't just lightly-strummed background accompaniment, there's actually a lot happening beneath the surface here. While I'm here, I'll give a recommendation for Shoot Out The Lights, which is also considered to be a great album making several "best of" lists, but is not among these 1,099 albums. Richard and Linda weren't divorced when this was recorded, but they would be by the time it was released, and oh boy, you can tell it's coming. This is The Divorce Album, and appropriately, it's not folk but (largely) country, which is the perfect divorce musical genre. Linda sounds much better on SOTL than she does on IWTSTBLT, her voice more expressive and emotive and she carries what I feel are the two best songs on the album, "Walking on a Wire" and "Just the Motion" both songs where she is Going Through It, with different mindsets: the first resentful, the second hopeful. Both are terrific. Richard works through his own shit on "Don't Renege On Our Love" and "A Man In Need," stops to remark on the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan ("Shoot Out the Lights") and contributes two more rockers in "Back Street Slide" and "Wall of Death." I like this album more than IWTSTBL, honestly. The songs have more bounce, Richard's guitar gets a workout, the rhythm section is punchier, and Linda Thompson leveled up between the two albums. "Wall of Death" was a fitting coda for their career together. The song is about a hypothetical amusement park where the singer wants to forego the other attractions and ride The Wall of Death because it's the "nearest to being alive." That metaphor fits their music perfectly, where they reveled in confronting the less pleasant emotions and putting them to song. Happy they had us along for the ride.

Absolutely great album

As I’ve grown older, I’ve developed more of an appreciation of the folk scene and the unsung nature of a lot of the work that has been put out under that genre’s umbrella. It’s not always fancy, and it’s not always glamorous, but I really respect the understated nature of it. I liked the harmonies throughout the album, and some nice guitar work in the background to a lot of it which makes a change from the more overblown stuff there has been on the list recently. Probably warrants a further listen in a different context, but as a first time listen, I really enjoyed it.

4. good

A really nice listen, between Richard Thompson's guitar work and Linda Thompson's stunning vocals. Some really dark subject matter on some of the songs here handled beautifully, and i love the title track.

I was a bit bored at first but it grew on me. Some great melancholy folk songs. The ones Linda sings are the best, particularly the title track and “The Great Valero.” At some point I was thinking “Mark Lanegan must have lived this record” and sure enough “Together Again” in the bonus tracks is a tune he covered.

When I Get to the Border The Cavalry Cross I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight The End of the Rainbow

winter sounds

When this started, I thought it might bring out my sniggering side (ye olde folk etc), but I have to say, I loved it. Linda's strong voice reminded me of the fabulous Julie Covington in Evita a couple of times. What a singer (Linda. And also Julie.) I also remember hearing the title track of this album in a TV show and liking it enough to look it up. I really enjoyed the strong folk melodies, authentic delivery and simple but powerful backing. A good album, to me, on both an objective and subjective level. (Slightly boring last track, perhaps. Perhaps I need to listen again.) Glad to have discovered it.

Really nice to listen to on a Sunday afternoon.

Another favorite artist of my Dad's. Richard is a smoking guitarist, especially as an acoustic player, and the songs are good and enjoyable, hes got a nice voice. The album has a sort of live, spontaneous feel, doesn't feel labored over. I had listened to this years ago and this was the kind of thing I wanted to be reminded of when I started this album exercise. "Little Beggar Girl" is a cool kind of Middle Earth song - they mix that in to more straightforward rock pretty well. I dig it.

Um disco bonito, embora um tanto inconsistente. Considero a primeira metade mais rica em termos de melodias e arranjos. A despeito de ser um disco de musica folk, a partes com instrumentos elétricos trazem os melhores momentos, como em "The Calvary Cross".

Some of it was pretty catchy. I particularly liked the last song.

Really interesting low-key country/folk album. Has a very dark and serious undertone surrounded by the cheerier songs throughout the album. Not a perfect offering, but very good. Top tracks: The Calvary Cross, Withered And Died, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Thoroughly enjoyed this. My mom listened to a lot of the Thompsons when I was growing up but I'd only heard the title track to this album. I quite liked it but thought the album might be a little on the folksy/americana side for me, I was dead wrong though, solid 4 stars and will be adding several of the songs off of here to my current rotation. Album really holds up well 50(jfc) years later.

I quite liked this

Hey, this album cover looks familiar. What is it... Oh yeah! Bon Jovi ripped it off 12 years later! I only realized today, I wasn't familiar with this one before. Anyway, the album is really damn good. They're both great vocalists and the music plain sounds good. The guitar tones are very pleasant, the chord progressions are super nice. Despite that it's actually still quite sombre and soothing, but also just very emotionally touching. It definitely starts stronger than it ends, but still there's plenty to enjoy

Pleasant. Took a couple of listens, and sometimes wanders into bland folkiness, but Thompson's guitar, the shared vocals and the choice of harmony on songs like Cavalry Cross are wonderful. A nice, rather than life changing listen. Middling to low 4.

A delightfully melancholic British folk rock album, pairing delicate acoustic guitars with gorgeous vocal harmonies and the generally dour tone of most good folk music. Easy 9/10.

Fantastic album. They do so much on here in a fairly manageable amount of time. You've got a party song, you've got social satire, you've got melancholy reflections on life's meaning.....and their voices are so gorgeous together.

That would officially be Richard and Linda Thompson. Richard Thompson is an amazing guitarist. His lyrics are good as well but always seem to be missing something to me--or maybe its just his overall delivery. Linda's voice adds some better variation to albums (as opposed to the ones that are truly just him).

Ich mochte sehr gern die bedrückte Stimmug dieses Albums. Habe hier den Einfluß auf vieles im Bereich Folk gehört, was ich auch mag. Einzelne Songs waren nicht ganz so meins. Werde ich mir aber nochmal anhören!

Did not expect this album to be so damn depressing, but here we are. Not super familiar with British Folk, say for maybe Fairport Convention, whom I like a lot. These two fall in a similar area musically as FC, standard folk-rock music fused with psychadelic and Celtic sounds. But it's really the lyrical content of this album that drew me in; it's super bleak, lonely, and almost hopeless. I'd say that comes to a head in the devastating 'The End Of The Rainbow', but earlier songs that yearn for escape, like 'When I Get To The Border' or the title track, also evoke a familiar sense of dread I haven't felt in a long time. And something about the song 'Has He Got A Friend For Me' made me so damn sad, just something about the way Linda puts together this piece about loneliness and longing for a significant other was so potent. So yeah kinda ruined my evening and all, but at least the music was damn good. Doesn't help that it's a Sunday evening right now.

I don't usually gel with folk, but this was extraordinary in parts. The Calvary Cross was spine-chillingly good.

Smooth og gott stöff.

Ansi fín plata. Þægilega lög og Linda syngur vel. Fróðlegt að kynnast meira þessari ensku þjóðlagabylgju. Fín vinnutónlist.

This was a really cool listen! This type of music is one of my guilty pleasures when I'm in the right mood. Just the old school, stripped down, low-fi folk-rock singer/songwriter. But this was even better than that because they layered in all kinds of additional sounds and instruments. The music composition was fantastic, great guitar chords and sounds. Lyrics were good and the songs were catchy. The title track was the highlight. Calvary Cross was pretty good. The version I listened to on YouTube Music had some love bonus tracks that were even better than the originals. Very fun listen.

Really good.

This album shows that, besides being extremely adept within all the clichés of seventies folk rock, the Thompsons are very capable songwriters whose voices work very well together. He can write pop songs as well as the next person but he does so without abandoning his signature sound. He’s also a very good lyricist, poetic without being pretentious or obscure. He also resists the temptation to show off his very great instrumental skills, so that the songs really shine. Given that this is not a genre I generally warm to, I really enjoyed listening to this record.

Enjoyed the Celtic vibes with this. A few times I stopped to look up which song I was on. I will listen again.

This album has such a charm to it, the vocals are so sweet and the tone of the few instruments this album has makes it so texturally-rich. I find a lot of the songs are quite sing-along-y, but that's honestly fine with me. The harmonies are great. I definitely see myself returning to this album. Highlight Song/s: When I Get To The Border and I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Some gorgeous songs but others are a bit too medievaly for my taste. Linda's voice is absolutely gorgeous.

Day 129 First listen- Wow what a great folk album, their vocals are gorgeous together and solo and the album is consistent with quality. (4/5)

This was the kind of album I hoped to discover when I began this project of listening to the 1001 albums I must hear before I die! Ironically overlooked in America, it nonetheless sounds to me like a missing link between the folk music of the 50s and 60s and the rise of Americana music in the 90s. Leave it to a talented Brit couple to map out that road for us!!

4/5

first off: amazing album cover. I enjoyed this entire album and would gladly listen to it all the way through multiple times a year. I can hear how it influenced a lot of my favorite artists, and yet it stands for itself.

What a nice discovery. I'd never heard of either Thompson before today, nor this album and this was right up my alley. Groovy, although it comes with a "folk" label this comes with some rockier numbers in addition to the more traditional folk numbers. Sounds at points a good deal like more modern alt-rock which was really interesting. Opens incredibly, the first five tracks were excellent, then took a bit of a step back with "We Sing Hallelujah," and "Has He Got a Friend For Me." Both still solid, but more traditional-folk sounding. I think it's four-stars, would've been five but I do think it loses some replay value in the back-half. Still fun songs, but just not as strong as the first few.

Fav: The Little Beggar Girl Least Fav: Down Where The Drunkards Roll Any album using an accordion must be respected and appreciated

A bit different but this was really lovely. When I get to the border, I want to see the bright lights, and down where the drunkards roll are great.

This was a pretty good album, and I imagine it would be amazing if they had more money for the recording. The live bonus tracks on the streaming services are my favorites.

I am a huge fan of *Shoot Out The Lights* which is a haunting painful divorce album. This album lacks of the emotional gravity, but it's still a great collection of powerful sings. I really enjoy their style of Celtic infused folk. (8.85) ★★★★

Devastating lyrics, nice folky instrumentation. The beginning is better than the ending. 4 stars

This is a cool album. "The Calvary Cross" and the title track are the big standouts here and both contenders for the best songs of 1974. Some of it drifts too much into folky territory, but still a great album. Richard's guitar work is terrific. 4 stars.

4.5

I wasn’t expecting much. But came out of it pleasantly surprised. A very good folk rock record. And the title track is now added to my favourites.

This is the kind of album I'm here for. Never would have found this on my own and (with the exception of a coupe tracks) this is a fantastic album.

Irgendwie hat es mir gefallen. Der Titeltrack hat was.

It’s dark and brooding, a mixture of folk, country and minstrel songs. Linda Thompson has a wonderful voice. It sounds strikingly similar to Sandy Dennis from Fairport Convention, Richard’s former band (especially on “The Little Beggar Girl” and “Withered and Died”), but rootsier. I’m guessing this album was a big inspiration for Jason Molina of Songs: Ohia fame. All good reference points. I'll probably be revisiting this one.

This was a great album to start my Monday morning with. I’ve always had a weakness for that working class British folk rock sound, especially when it evokes imagery of the English countryside. The baroque and Celtic influences on this album really play into that atmosphere and bring the whole thing to life. It was recorded in a tight time frame and on a very low budget, but I honestly think that worked in its favor. The stripped down and dry production adds a raw charm and intimacy that makes the whole album feel even more grounded and personal.

Fave Track: The Calvary Cross (live version) 3.7/5

Not sure why but this is pretty great. Maybe it’s the voices (nowadays mainstream singer/songwriter music have terrible application of voices) Also like the production and use of different instruments!

Very Jason Molina coded. Loved those tracks.

Initially I was a little disappointed, thinking it was not as good and not as coherent as Fairport Convention, but the songwriting is super strong, and it's still good

4- Stars (10/15)

I've owned this album since my late 20s/early 30s when I was beginning to follow less new music. I'd forgotten one or two of the more traditional folk-y songs on here and now I'm older they are still not really my thing. The restraint and ethereal guitar playing on The Calvary Cross is great, and The End of the Rainbow is so despondent that it makes me misty eyed every time.

Wish I could do 3.5. But screw it, I’m in a generous mood so I’ll round up. The highs are gorgeous. Some memorable, emotional folk. “The Calvary Cross” is one of my favorite folk-rock songs ever. Just a couple skip over tracks, and knowing this isn’t my favorite Thompson album drops it a tiny bit.

6,7

There's a sharp contrast here between the lush, lively folk tunes and the stark, slow ones. It's a contrast that works well; many of the lively songs have a depressing undercurrent as well, and it makes for a more interesting album than if all the songs were of the same variety. It's all very intricate and well-played, with moments where the guitar is allowed to shine as well as some where other instruments take center stage. Both vocalists and great and their interplay adds even more variety. The best songs are the most strikingly sad ones, "Has He Got a Friend For Me" and "The End of the Rainbow" especially.

Cool folk album, raw music.

Intimate grandeur is the name of the game here. This album sounds like a living room concert of a newlywed couple who were doomed from the beginning. To me, this album sounds like a broken family. Richard is a stern father with his piercing voice, and Linda plays that haunting motherly figure, and the content backs that up. At first, the hits were my favorites: When I Get To The Border and I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, but as years passed, I came to love the slower tempo, and straight melancholic songs such as The End Of The Rainbow, The Great Valerio and The Calvary Cross. All flavors of folk are here for your choosing, and all of them are performed nicely.

Never never never would have listened to this without this project- it was wonderful. Really moving in many places; it makes me want to grab a guitar and jam along. I’d love to hear some modern covers honestly. The low point for me was “Does He Have A Friend For Me”. Otherwise an unexpected really good album.

60s British folk meets 70s singer/songwriter meets an occasional energy drink. Opening track and title track were two favorites. They tried at the end to get me to dock them a star, but I skipped past those slower tracks so I could still give them… 4/5

I want to see the bright lights, but listening to them is also a treat! I don't know what it is, but when good folks from the UK dabble in music, they find a way to make it better. I would never say that America owned folk music, but I love that in the wake of the great music created in USA we get this duo from the UK that just knocks it out of the park. I kept thinking it would get too sentimental, but it walked the line with sublime tact. It is an honest, unpretentious take that sounds fantastic.

This is very nice to listen to. Sounds a lot like the music of its era, but unique and interesting. Got some Decemberists vibes from the vocals at times. "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" is a definite stand-out.

Fucking awesome! Wow some of these songs blow me away. They are so so so damn good. Production has aged like fine wine as well. Shoutout great Valerie. Shoutout Dave mattacks on drums who plays on xtc’s nonsuch. Shoutout Linda your voice is stunning. Shoutout Richard Thompson my second favorite guitarist ever. 4.5/5

Great great stuff! Nice treadmill walk accompaniment. Just some pretty folky rock songs.

This was pretty enjoyable folksy music that doesn't err too far into being country. The opening to The Calvary Cross was really nice, probably the highlight song of this album. Love the spacey/psychedelic feel of the background instrumentals. Withered And Died was good, especially the intro of the female vocals. The title track was also really catchy and fun. The rest fell into the background, but I was into it the whole time while I was working. Landed at 3.5 stars for this but will skew towards a Low 4 since this was a reprieve from some of the shitty/mediocre music we've had lately. Plus, I might come back for more listens.

Gotta say, I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. Both vocalists are quite capable and the arrangements are varied. This is an album that has a sort of calm energy about it that I savor. Calvary Cross is a pretty song -- love the piano + bass pairing and distantly-mixed vocals. Withered and Died is some high quality calming folk-country. If I didn't know better, I would believe that the title track (I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight) is a Grateful Dead song. It has a delightfully roots vibe to it and a guitar tone that runs parallel Garcia's. Love the horn support -- funny that they swapped for accordion in the live version. The End of the Rainbow is delightfully melancholy; love this one. The Great Valerio is a fine song, but a bit of an anticlimactic closing track. Its quite sparse and sort of just allows the album to fade away. All said, a nice listen for this Wednesday morning. Will be back. Solid 4.

Shoot Out the Lights will always be my favorite of Richard & Linda's, but it's hard to argue with this one. 4/5

Now this is decent timing, generator. I saw RT two days ago, and he played a couple of songs from this album. I personally think the best was still to come from him, as a solo artist; listening to this it’s clear how much his voice matures later on, and how he’d lean into the ‘rock’ side of folk-rock much more with later releases (this sounds quite distinctly and quaintly ‘folk’ throughout - though that’s no slight, just not my personal preference.) But I recognise that his early stuff with Linda and Fairport were more influential than any of his solo albums and IWTATBLT is rightly considered a classic. The songwriting is, as always, masterful, and Linda’s voice adds a haunting quality to many tracks - especially The Great Valerio. 4.5

Eye catching album cover. I like The Calvary Cross and I want to See the Bright Lights Tonight. This really has the potential to grow on me. That's the thing, doesn't grab you right away but has potential to grow. I'm going to round up to a 4.

A lovely surprise. No standout track but a chilled and laid back folksy album that I will listen to again.

Better than I expected

Surprisingly good

Nothing too special or out of the ordinary, but I quite enjoyed it. Mellow kinda folksy music, good vocals and simple instrumentation. Standouts: The Calvary Cross, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, The End Of The Rainbow Rating: 3.9/5

Elevated well above most other folk/rock because of the excellent songwriting and Richard's guitar playing. I'm always in two minds about his voice (like with Billie Bragg - there is an un-musicality about it). I think I like some of his later work better but still as far as folk and folk rock goes it's very good.

Good early stuff

Kind of good not my favorite but I enjoyed jt

Pretty fun! Started off strong

I need to listen to this more frequently. The artwork always felt so modern.

I feel like this album is responsible for The Decemberists’ entire career. It’s good! Really good folk music. Traditional sounding, well performed, a variety of different tones and moods, all sincere. Must-listen #175.

Some gas old folk. Passionate yet heartbreaking songs. Unreal vibe. Have heard this before but now I have it saved and will be adding it to my regular rotation

This was OK I liked it better than expected. Very folky.

That was some real nice folk music. My favourite was the opening track

I really liked this, great album cover aswell. Both of their vocal contributions add a lot to the differente songs, lyrically aswell I felt this had quite a lot to say. It also hit different feels well, the soft, mellow folky songs like the end of the rainbow, the cavalry cross and withered and died; the more poppy rock sound from the first song and the title track and a more kind of orchestral sound from the last song. All of which are my standouts. A great album overall with great instrumentation aswell I would like to add. Overall 7/10.

Very few people know that the real reason their marriage broke down was the charm of Len Houmous. Lynda couldn’t get him out of her head. Nothing happened, or so Len says! 4.1 4/13 I want to see the bright lights tonight

The first (and in many ways only) exposure I had to Richard Thompson was listening to "1000 Years of Popular Music" that a friend lent me many years ago, and I was intrigued by his obvious interest in music and (likely more important) lyrics over the spans of centuries. Although we won't get that album/show in this collection, it feels like this album from many years earlier channels a similar sentiment, and both Richard and Linda pull it off really well. I'm also impressed at how well this was recorded/produced, given when it came out (and also sad that it didn't even get released outside the UK until nearly ten years later). I also enjoyed the mix of distinctive but traditional-folk-oriented tunes like "Cavalry cross" and "Down where the drunkards roam", and more modern sounding tunes like the title track. (There are a few duds along the way, like the pub-song-style "We sing Hallelujah".) Unlike the Fairport Convention albums in this collection, or even really "1000 Years of Popular Music", this album makes me think Richard Thompson is a kindred spirit to the likes of Leonard Cohen or Nick Cave, and I mean that in a positive sense. Not very happy tunes, admittedly, but not as bleak as they might be (with an exception for "The end of the rainbow", which pretty much defines unremitting bleakness).

Not too bad.

Better than Coldplay

Another great surprise from the list. Really enjoyed most of this one. 4.5

Surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Knew nothing about them prior, just really hit a nice note for me

Listened to this on the train to london this morning and i think the english folkyness was a good soundtrack. More electrification than expected from fairport convention guy. First half is the strongest. Lyrically gets pretty bleak in the latter tracks. Linda has a great voice.

Have always been a fan but haven't listened to this one as often as other records. Linda's vocals are beautiful and Richard renowned as a great guitarist shows it off in spots here. Wonderful record

Very British

Somehow feels ahead of it's time and of the era at the same time. Great folk album, can see a straight line drawn from albums like this to albums like Rogue Taxidermy.

Yeah I like this. This is my kind of jam these days. Good balance of easy listening folk style music with a few rock style songs thrown in. Lyrics are as good as the music, well written. Definitely have a listen. I'll be adding this to my physical collection.

Pure folk rock is a rarity on this list, so you better appreciate it when it pops up! I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight is a treat with catchy melodies and vivid imagery, and it's a shame that the genre feels somewhat underrepresented on this list.

Beautiful. Just beautiful. The melodies are wonderfully crafted and the vocals, especially when they both join in, are as good as they get within the genre. Just sit back and enjoy.

Pretty good, but nothing that blew me away. Nice folk pop from the 70s with some great traditional music details incorporated.

There's something about this album that has a timeless feel, with well constructed lyrics and truly magnificent production. I can't say I'm going to blast many of the tunes here on repeat, but I would strongly recommend this for anyone looking to enjoy some great folk that maybe we don't have enough of.

I liked this album! It’s a weird merge of 70s rock and folk. I had heard the title track before but I enjoyed several songs. Would listen to album again

Folk isn’t generally my genre, but a lot of this worked for me. Good album

When I Get To The Border - 4/5 The Calvary Cross - 3/5 Withered And Died - 3/5 I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight - 4/5 Down Where The Drunkards Roll - 4/5 We Sing Hallelujah - 3/5 Has He Got A Friend For Me - 3/5 The Little Beggar Girl - 5/5 The End Of The Rainbow - 4/5 The Great Valerio - 5/5 Average score: 3.8/5 (rounding up) a bit of a slow burn, but a lovely album nonetheless

The Thompsons use traditional music but never sound sentimental. Great songwriting and music.

Overall: 7/10 This was really good! As much as I enjoyed Linda's contributions, it was Richard Thompson's voice that made me enjoy this more than I would have. It has a soothing quality to it. Plus his songs were closer to folk whereas Linda's were more country. I prefer the folkier stuff. Fav Song: The Calvary Cross Least Fav Song: We Sing Hallelujah

Very pretty folk, nothing to complain about here.

Sounded better on the second listen

Sounds a lot like The Decemberists.

A very pleasent listen. Close to a 5.

Love is a many splendored thing, as made evident in this often rollicking effort from Richard and Linda Thompson. Upon listening to this, it is not hard to see why listeners view I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight as nothing short of a masterclass in songwriting and showmanship. The title track, in particular, would make casual observers want to learn more from one of the defining albums of the fallow years of the folk rock scene. Favorites: When I Get to the Border, The Calvary Cross, Withered and Died, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, Down Where the Drunkards Roll, Has He Got a Friend for Me, The Little Beggar Girl, The End of the Rainbow.

extraordinary album. like, extra ordinary. like weird. wyrd. death-obsessed and out there. with an all-time guitarist. i'm cuckoo about the first side of this thing, but i've always felt like the second side isn't as strong. softer. not as varied. more dated. funereal at times. the first side is stunning. an intoxicating mix of british folk and thompson's wily raga guitar fills. a great opener in "when i get"; blues rock stomp in "bright lights"; the moody "calvary cross" (thompson's opening guitar solo, holy christ). "withered and died" and "drunkards" slow things down, keep it balanced. beautiful songs. rooted at least half in the past musically, but timeless in their subject matter: death, of course (the border line). but also being sick and goddamn tired of work, living for the weekend, drinking on the weekend, getting hammered on the weekend, looking for love on the weekend, and dreading monday morning (which is also sometimes death). existential workingman's music. side two: "we sing": three string fiddles and "the old fashioned way." a good singalong. i love "has he got a friend for me." that's some good lovelorn achin', linda. great slice of life tune about desperation and dating. sounds current. where "drunkards" could depict any skid row from the 19th or 20th century, "beggar girl" feels older, more dated. the cockles and clams girl from game of thrones or something. that’s good folk though. end of the rainbow. jesus, that's dark. hey little baby, there's nothing to grow up for anymore. but really, what's he gonna do about it? man, "valerio" is a dirge, isn't it? the lyrics are great. that's just a hell of a note to end on.

This was very good, though some of it felt choppy, like it was stitched together.

There is nothing fantastic about this album, but I did love it!

Good folk music, that’s all

I was not expecting this to be so good.

I can’t really put my finger on exactly why I like early Fairport and this effort (which I’ve never heard before). Obvs Richard Thompson’s guitar playing is a massive part, but it’s more that I just find the style super chilled and comforting, rather than any particular standout songs. Maybe I was a fletcher in another life, but let’s just leave it at that, like a folky mystery.

Yeah. This is probably the best version of the (formerly) married folk duo, and I’m pretty sure they were a little inspiration for Mitch & Mickey in A Mighty Wind. Overall, I can just say it’s probably the best version of a time-specific sub genre that I am probably okay with listening to one total album of in a year. Faint praise, I know, but it really is praise.

Never hear of this folk-rock duo, but enjoyed this album quite a bit. Good folk vocalists with well arranged electric guitar compositions. Standouts: Calvary Cross, When I Get to the Border, I Want To See the Bright Lights

Like the vibe

i liked this album a lot. really cool folk sound

Enjoyed it. Standout songs: When I get to the border I want to see the bright lights tonight Down where the drunkards roll

7.5/10 Favorite Tracks: I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, We Sing Hallelujah, The Little Beggar Girl, The Great Valerio, The Calvary Cross Least Favorite Tracks: Withered and Died, The End of the Rainbow

This seems interesting.

I loved listening to this one. Linda's voice is just perfect and Richard's playing is the perfect companion. Such a good album. The Calvary Cross and I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight are my favorites.

Upon reading about this album I found out it was from the same guy who started Fairport Convention, and the similarities are noticable. This was very pleasant 70's Folk Rock to listen to, although I don't feel it really stands out in this niche filled by lots and lots of musicians. Still an enjoyable listen and I can't hold anything against it. The vocals were really pleasant on here.

I really enjoyed this. It’s a little bit countrified, which is a bit surprising from a British duo, but it also has some really nice folky elements come through. Overall, very pleasant.

Fairport Convention is a band I never wrapped my head around. I am not a big fan of folk, so that'd explain my trepidation. I recently saw a list of top 100 guitarists on the site Consequence of Sound. One of the comments was "Where's Richard Thompson?" Listening to songs like "Calvary Cross," I have to wonder that, too. "Withered and Died" was one of the more depressing songs I have heard. Not all of the songs that leaned more towards folk were that much of a downer, though. "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" seems like it would be as moroe, but I still liked it better. I'm surprised that the album did not do well, songs like "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" seem like they would have done well. The more I think of the album, the more I turn my opinion from a low 3 to a high 3. Rounding up, that's a 4. Top tracks: Title Track, "When I Get To The Border," "Calvary Cross," "Down Where The Drunkards Roll"

Richard Thompson reminds me of John Cale but not quite as good. Linda Thompson reminds me of Sandy Denny, and maybe just as good. Give me more Linda and a little less Richard. I really enjoyed the six (out of ten) Linda-led songs on multiple listens, especially on side one.

Really exceptional songwriting. Melancholy and poetic. Good tunes.

Nice

Soft rock with hints of jazz and country(?)

I really liked this one. It was folky and slow and the songs were absolutely beautiful. I’m so glad the generator introduced me to this one