I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

More pub drinking tunes from the Fairport Convention folks. It's got a few nice songs, but mostly it's meant for drunks in a pub. 3/5

Folk Rock nicht so meins

Angenehm anzuhören, mich hat nichts genervt oder gestört. Mehr aber dann auch nicht. Das klarste 3-Sterne Album bisher für mich. Songs der Playlist hinzugefügt: Keine

It was a pleasant listen. Interesting band.

A sort of mish-mash of 70s soft rock with irish folk songs and sea shanties (I think?). It was fine at parts but ultimately not for me. Still- a fine album if thats what youre looking for.

I absolutely loved the first two tracks, When I Get To The Border and The Calvary Cross. A couple of other songs were good, but nothing ever reaches the highs of those first few songs. The End Of The Rainbow is devastating, damn. I've listened twice now, and it sits solidly at a 3.

Decent enough! Calvary Cross and Great Valerio were cool. Probably won't return much but pleasant while it lasted

Fine. I’ve heard a lot about this album and some people really like it, but this album did not grab me.

Mira, estuvo ok, pero aburre al cabo de un rato

Chill folk music, really enjoyable. Not the best, but really pleasant.

Hey this was pretty good, almost sounded like 80s Australian folk pop rock at times.

70s alt/soft folk. There were a couple standout tracks, notably the vocals on "The Cavalry Cross", but as a complete package it didn't do much for me.

A familiar old friend - one of my Dad's all-time favourites so an LP he has given me when he replaced it with the CD. It's quite understated and easy to miss the quality of songwriting if you're not looking out for it. I still think it starts too slow but picks up from the title track onwards. Down Where The Drunkards Roll is a classic. If you have any interest in folk, it's surely essential but I am content to listen to it from time to time when I'm in the mood.

Nice to listen to. Seemed toward the end of the folk era and at the genres limit. ^ | Probably just me trying to sound smart. I’d listen again

Unique songs that still managed to flow well together. Really interesting guitar work throughout the album. Really enjoyed the title track. Interesting combination of English folk and modern (for the time) singer/song writer. Another album I likely won’t revisit, but I didn’t necessarily hate the experience. It was fine.

I absolutely love the title track. The rest of the record was good - but never rose as high.

Nice but unremarkable

70's English Folk music... Well, I didn't hate it, but I'll probably never listen to it again.

Pretty easy, nice east coast vibe, folk music. Reminds me of traveling. Feels a bit dated but the melodies are great.

This album starts really strong but 2/3rds of the way through it tapers off..

Surprisingly better than I thought it would have been

Didn't love it. Didn't hate it. Better than most Folky stuff "popular" at the time. Sneaks in 3 stars.

I liked the title track a lot but the rest of the album was just okay. It's not a bad album, it might even be a good one, but it's not something I'll listen to again anytime soon.

Proper 70s folk. Listenable but not something I’d necessarily listen to again. 3*

Rustic. Sad. Irish. Interesting. 1973.

I really enjoyed this album and would be fine giving it a higher score if it had been released ten years prior. It sounds like a product of the folky sixties rather than the mid seventies. There’s no trace of any of the progress made in the music industry. This doesn’t necessarily make an album unoriginal, but in this case, it feels derivatively unique. If it had come out a decade earlier, I probably would have given it a five out of five, as I really did really enjoy it. 3/5

Нейтральная приятная музыка. Напомнило баллады

Very Linda forward.

This is so bad, dude. I think the singers sound Irish? So it kind of sounds like hippie Irish folk music - but not the cool hippie shit or the cool Irish folk music. If this was an album of old Irish drinking songs that would be AWESOME! sadly, it's more like music for Americans who pretend they're Irish and go to renaissance fairs and don't wear deodorant. The last song on the album, The Calvary Cross (live) is terrific. Like, where the hell was this in the original song - or at any other point in the album?! It's so, so good. What a shame there's nothing else like it, id have enjoyed an album full of songs that sound like this. Ok, so the last song was good enough that I went back and relistened to the album to see what I missed. I think it’s better than I originally thought, but i still stand by what I wrote above…just with a bit less vitriol. The Calvary songs are undoubtedly the highlights.

Some good songs, but mostly good for a one-time listen.

I enjoyed it but wasn’t very memorable

Nice folksy music, easy listening nothing I loved too much though

Some really great tracks and some ide leave behind. Overall great sound and production. I liked Fairport Convention enough too, so no surprise

Pretty okay folksy album, maybe not my favorite but not bad either.

Some good storytelling with the lyrics but unfortunately I don't think folk is my thing

I had no prior knowledge of this album. So going in my first impression is a pleasant acoustic mix of genres. Ranging from Celtic to psychedelic with all the classic folk influences you'd expect by the time of it's recording.

- Ganz schöner angecountryter roots Rock - Mir im ganzen leider wirklich zu unaufgeregt und damit mein ich eher den Stil und nicht tempo/härte - Da war durchaus Abwechslung drin aber irgendwie wirkte es ein bisschen willkürlich - Beggar Girl und The Great Valerio sind aber sehr nice, haben mir beide Jefferson airplane vibes gegeben. 3,5/5

- echt entspannt, coole Sachen dabei

Good!

Some of the slow, dirge-like tunes sung by Linda are what I went into this album expecting a lot more of. However, a lot of the Richard-sung tunes -- if you plot them on a line between Folk and Rock -- are closer to Rock than what I was suspecting. There are tracks here with some really cool instrumental fills, and interesting instrumentation in some places, and it helped to bring the album out of the folk doldrums. I explored Richard Thompson a bit years ago. He's definitely got a knack for writing cool, angular tunes, that feature changes I don't expect. However, the slow, death-dirges and Irish folk can drive me insane. So there's a bit of a balance here between sounds that kept me on my feet. The title track was definitely the highlight here. In fact, the first three tracks were all very good, and the rest not so much. I think I might like it more if Richard is singing, or if some of these tunes were delivered more powerfully. All-in-all, comes in around a 3/5 for me, with my respect for RT as a songwriter continuing to grow.

Nice sounding album. Not sure if it sits as a classic after one listen. Nothing jumps out tbh.

British folk seems to be like the European equivalent of classic American country music, and in that I mean that I can find it enjoyable, but often times it is a swing and a miss. This album took until near the end for me to truly understand what I was listening to, because at first I thought it was just folksy and had the lyrics to back it up, but the final two haunting, existential tracks really did something for me, and made me realize that the whole record was lonely snapshot of spending a night alone in thoughts. I still have issue with both singer's voices, as they can really drag in some of the more "up-beat" tracks, and still most of the songs lyrically are typical "I'm sad and alone," but those final two tracks really boosted this for me into something I can see the appeal of, even if the genre isn't totally my thing still.

Live tracks saved this one.

Good sound. Sounds like a mix of Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac

i liked the first song a fair bit but i think every song got progressively more boring. and the poor little beggar girl felt like some kind of a joke. mostly it was alright and just not my vibe.

It is fine, but there were a couple of songs I had to skip because they were too twangy. The Great Valerio was my favorite song. 2.5

Folk-Musik, unaufgeregt 3/5

Today we have another couple of artists I haven’t come across before. Seeing it was released in the 70s did bode well though. I know it makes me mega cringe but older music just seems to sound better to me while I yell at clouds. Anyway, I did find the music pleasant. I found myself singing When I Get To The Border throughout the rest of the day. It didn’t blow my mind, by any means, but it was still a nice listen.

marrying women named Linda and then making an album with them was very chic in the 70s

This is a very simplistic but well executed album. Nothing too fancy prover top just some easy folk music with two singers that are married. Sometimes it’s the easiest idea that’s the best and this is that encapsulated in an album. Good and simple. 6.5/10

Although folk/country is not my cup of tea (with a few exceptions), this one was not so bad to listen to. Well written, produced, and arranged, sometimes Richard's voice was a bit annoying, while Linda delivered perfectly.

Makes me want to be in a dingy dark pub in Ireland. Also I assumed Linda Thompson was Paul McCartney’s wife until I read the Wikipedia article after I finished it. Oops.

I liked the opening track and the title track. I appreciate the arrangements and instrumentation, but most of the rest was a little slow for my taste.

I started out loving this, could definitely hear how this could have influenced some more recent indie stuff. Ultimately I thought it didn’t live up to the first few tracks though

Really nice surprise. I hadn’t heard of these guys and ended up liking this. Folk can be hit or miss for me but I would very much like to be in a dark and cozy English pub sad drinking a pint with this on in the background. Then one of my buddies who haven’t seen in a while walks in and I say “you son of a bitch” and shake his hand like Arnold Schwarzenegger in predator. We talk about the good ol’ days and tough times now saying things like “that’s how life goes.” We end up drinking way too much well into the evening and I fall into a bush while trying to take a piss and just end up staying the night there. Good times….good…times…

Good music for a rainy or melancholy day. The live music at the end is a bit more cheerful.

Pretty nice. Easy-going duo. Chill smooth guitar melodies.

Though it has a folky traditional feel, there's also some good pop/rock sounds. Of course nice guitar work from RT. Title track could've been a radio hit. It's good overall. 3.8

70s RenFair rock

I like Linda not rlly Richard

I almost like When I Get to the Border, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight

Meh, pleasant background music but didn’t seem special to me

3/5 Enjoyed a lot more than anticipated. A really interesting mix of traditional folky instrumental, with some low-key jangley yet impressive guitar chops. Subtley complex, and a joy to listen to.

Don't know anything about Richard and Linda previously, but reading that they had parted ways around 1982. Before they did, they captured a lot of folky magic on this album, among apparently others. I like the balance of edge and grit with equal parts romance and empathy heard here. Some rock, psych, trad Irish, & Greenwich influences going on here. Worth exploring more of.

Inoffensive and middling but not poorly done. The album cover itself definitely evoked more of a response.

I rolled my eyes when I saw yet another British folk album and, before I even heard it, I decided I was going to give this album a one-star review as a sort of protest vote. Sorry Richard Thompson, nothing personal, you’re just the wrong album at the wrong time. Three folk albums in one week? Are you kidding me? 1001 flavors of folk, is that what we’re doing? Aren’t there more genres than British folk and British rock? Good luck telling that to the dudes who made this list. So that’s where I started with this album. But it got a three. It won me over even through my folk fatigue. I thought the duo’s voices were perfectly complimentary, the songs were folksy charming, and that it didn’t outstay its welcome. If I had gotten it fresh out of the oven, instead of getting it as the third folk album this week, I probably would have given it a higher rating. From this list, so far, this is probably my favorite album that I will never listen to again.

Country maar dan saai.

It's an average album, nothing too exciting.

i enjoyed this. saved a couple of songs.

It was enjoyable but nothing really stood out and I don’t see myself returning.

It was fine, nothing special for me.

This album was fine. Pleasant enough, but nothing special. 3/5.

I like this I think I will revisit this I can hear something that would really influence someone like Frank Turner. Good. Standard 3

Not exactly what I was expecting, but a pleasant surprise. Not incredible by any means, but not bad either. 7/10 Top 3: 1. The Great Valerio 2. Down Where The Drunkards Roll 3. When I Get To The Border

Very solid folk-album. I like the vocals and the music although it is not very diversified. Not a clear 3-stars-rating. 2,5

This is a solid 3, some good here and there but not something that I would regularly listen to.

Richard Thompson is WAY better on this album with his wife than he was in Fairport Convention. Clearly this is heavy with folk, but it also kinda rocks and feels so much less pretentious than the Fairport stuff. Not too shabby. But the more I listen to, the more I recognize that you can't always listen to everything all the time and some things are just one-time experiences. This might be one of those things.

Enjoyable enough. Pretty sleepy though.

What a boring record. The only thing that saved it was the fact that they snuck in bonus live tracks that I sat through. The live version of The Calvary Cross save this listen. Gave it three - came close to a two.

Not being a Folk fan, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Favourite tracks - The Calvary Cross and I Went to See the Bright Lights Tonight.

Me gusta mucho

Not what i was especting to listen, but it was not bad at all, really relaxing, calmed.

This is a bit folky at times and at other times I'm not even sure what it is, but it just missed the mark.

Musically nice

That's not my taste in musik. But ok

It was fine. I really have nothing else to contribute. It may in fact be the most mediocre thing I’ve ever listened to. It’s “The Eternals” movie of albums. It was a thing. You acknowledge it was a thing. And then you go about your day never thinking of it again.

Meh. This was fine to listen to. Easy to throw on in the background, but nothing blew my socks off.

Pretty good

Interesting instrumentation at points, but mostly unremarkable folk rock.

Fínt, mjög rysjótt. 3,5.

Better than expected. 3.5

Folksy but easy

Pleasant, I enjoyed listening, but I don't remember all that much of it.

Solid but unexceptional folk. The music is OK too.

Kind of bounces between really great folk music, and Sufjan Stevens kind of odd sounding, but it's never really bad, and the album has some really great "high" moments.

sweet and emotional

Nice album but not something I'd normally want to listen to. Has an Irish folk flare.

Fine, low key.

Best Song: The Little Beggar Girl. I really liked the intonation on the chorus. Worst Song: The Great Valerio. Not terrible, but I don't like when albums end with an overly-long and slow song. Overall: I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Sentimental folk with interesting lyrics, an appealing dynamic between the pair. Would listen to again while walking through a forest.

At least my 2nd listen through of this album and the songs that stood out on previous listens still stand out; did not find a "new" track from the album after this listen.

Will listen again. Is wassssss goooooood

When I seen this was a Folk rock album from 1974, i was not excited… but this was much better than expected. I really liked it. Easily a 3.5/5

Tässä oli jotain kivaa vetovoimaa, muttei ihan kauheasti pidempää levyä ois välttämättä kantanut.

This is a cheese sandwich. It's perfectly pleasent and I'm not offended by it, but I would prefer some ham and pickle in it and if it could be a baguette that would be ideal too.... What was my point again.

Very folky

it's like if John Denver had a less talented brother. not the best, but also not the worst.

Beautiful guitar playing, sombre vocals. Little vignettes of English life. The title track is an underrated classic. A few other songs standout, mostly from the first half, before it ends with a run of very miserable dreary Englishness. I guess sometimes you need that, but right now I don’t, and I could care less about the Great Valerio.

70s folk rock. Decent enough, but I didn't see any reason to stick around for it.

Veikeetä folk rockia irlantilaisella twistillä. Sit on myös hyviä akustisia kappaleita. Parhaat: When I Get To The Border, The Little Beggar Girl, The Great Valerio

They are trying too hard to be like others.

prefer shoot out the lights but still pretty good

5 / 10 Folk Americano aburrido y melancólico.

Not bad.

Listened Before? N Pretty typical mid-70s folk stuff. I don't hate it but I prefer the American masters (ex - John Denver or Simon and Garfunkel) more. Not great, not bad. Added to Playlist: N Songs added to playlist: When I Get To The Border

we've reached yet another album where i unfortunately don't have a lot to say on. the production value is great, the thompson's voices (especially linda's) are easy on the ears, but while there's a few songs that stand out to me, most of the songs i honestly didn't bat an eye to. i don't know why, just another one of those albums where i'm not feeling it too much. the few songs that are good, they're REALLY good, especially the one i've chosen as my fave.

Wasn’t sure about this at first, but on the second play through I found myself getting quite into it. I’m gonna give it a 3 with the potential of a 4 with more listens.

Enjoyable.

Legal zinho rock mais clássico e tals

Good style and enjoyable melodies

The Great Valerio is hauntingly beautiful. On a second listen, Cavalry Cross was pretty good too. But otherwise, the album is kinda boring. I’ll give it a 3 on the strength of these 2 songs but it's a low 3.

Solid album

Good sounding album. Not my cup of tea.

I had never heard this before, but it is a lovely folk album and I enjoyed my listen.

That was a strange album. One or two songs I really liked, others not as much. Nothing to draw me in. Felt like poetry put to a tune.

I'd never heard of Richard Thompson before so was intrigued by this album. I didn't do my usual 'google' to get some idea of what to expect. The first few notes of track 1 made me wince, was this going be another "The Cramps" experience??? Nope, not at all, it was remarkably good by and large. One or two weaker tracks, and I was questioning my existence by the end of the album, but it was a good experience all round.

first listen pretty boring

Il y a quelque chose de quasi pur, candide, dans cet album. J'aime particulièrement quand la femme, Linda Thompson, chante.

TIL what a krummhorn is!

I used to dislike whatever folk related songs, but now they sound sweet to me. A bit funny to be listening to folk rock songs while going by a bike through Berlin streets.

Good tunes, i liked the medieval sound

Not a fan really aside from a few tracks.

Decent folk-rock album. Enjoyed this more than I was originally expecting.

C+ When I Get to the Border 3 The Calvary Cross 3 Withered and Died 2 I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight 3 Down Where the Drunkards Roll 2 We Sing Hallelujah 3 Has He Got a Friend for Me 3 The Little Beggar Girl 3 The End of the Rainbow 3 The Great Valerio 4 While I listened, I was thinking, "This sounds like Fairport Convention." Well, it didn't take more than one little Wikipedia run to know that it basically is.

Very attractive folk rock. I think I probably prefer Fairport Convention, but this is attractive and accessible.

I feel like I say this about a lot of albums lately, but it's generally a nice time. It's not my go-to genre or type of music, but it's gentle and easy and well made.

It’s fine. Good vocals but didn’t grab me.

Very nice folk album, good vibe

I don't dislike it, but as far as folk goes, this is very standard. I expect I'll have forgotten this by tomorrow.

Très sympa de lancer l'album d'un fameux Richard Thompson et d'entendre uniquement sa femme. Il était parti où Richard ?

C'était vraiment la journée albums Youtube aujourd'hui, une journée à thème dont on se serait bien passé.

I've not heard of this Album artist before. This album is from the year I was born,

The instrumentation and melodies on When I Get to the Border are beautiful. There are some really beautiful melodies all throughout. The more low-key tracks don't do much for me. The Little Beggar Girl sounds too much like Do Your Ears Hang Low.

Still not impressed.

good

Linda's vocals and the instruments carried. A good folky time. The album is appropriately titled because that song was when I went from 'meh' to 'oh'. And maybe because I really felt the not wanting to work lyric. I did go back and listen to a few again. Rating 3 stars.

Nothing to remember here, but not annoying

(First impression) Just based on the voice.. i feel like i might not enjoy the whole entire album. Perhaps a bit to country. (Halfway there) Enjoyable voices. I actually really appreciate this album but more in a cottage experience

Meh.

Another good listening album, especially after listening to Bob Dylan

Pleasant folky background. Maybe I need to re listen to work out its genius.

Man, the list maker must be big fan of Richard Thompson, first we get not one but two albums from Fairport Convention, now a sort-of-not-quite solo album with Richard and his wife Linda. I have to say, this album is a lot more interesting than the Fairport ones we got. The folksy tinge gives this a great Wicker Man kind of vibe, and holy cow, "The Calvary Cross." What an immense track. I knew listening to it that I had heard it before, likely in a movie. Turns out it was that horror movie Night House with Rebecca Hall. Really harrowing incorporation of that track, which hit hard in the movie and honestly just hits hard in general. Genuine beast of a hit, that track. Elevates the album to a 3.5 for me, without that track we're talking 2.5 or 3 because there wasn't much else that was memorable. But knowing they had that track in the tank, this is a worthy album. I'm fairly sure a relisten would result in more songs saved. Favorite tracks: The Calvary Cross, When I Get to the Border. Album art: I think this one's really advanced, especially for the '70s. Reminds me of that one Pavement cover with the text, but this one seems really dire. Looks like a combination of written in blood and written in mist on a shower door. Really strong. 3.5/5

an album or even a band i think i should like more than i do Shoot out the lights better album in my opinion

Great musicians. Weaker songs. Solid.

Fairly standard english folk, much like their previous band but perhaps lacking a little in light & shade and in variety of instrumentation. Enjoyable, but doesn't grab the attention in the way some other albums can.

Sorta runs out of steam as it winds up but hey this is pretty good. songwriting is excellent and I love the way the vocalists change duties depending on the track. best tracks: when I get to the border, the calvary cross, I want to the see the bright lights tonight

Had some good songs. Like the title track

Fine enough

This was a nice British folk revival album. It continues the Fairport Convention sound with all of its bucolic slightly medieval tinged music. This album is simply pleasant but not terribly groundbreaking.

Really ez 3. Nothing too great but nothing bad either.

good length calvary cross, the great valerio

I Want To See The Next Album

3.5/5. Pretty good. There is not anything crazy going on here, but I enjoyed it.

Yeah, it's good, pretty authentically celtic-sounding. If I was made to review this last October, when I was obsessed with the title song, I'd probably have given this a higher rating.

Tämän levyn vahvuutena on konstailematon mutta kekseliäs melodisuus (mitä nyt pahimmat folk-titityyt tarvitsisivat Shane MacGowanin vetämään ne). Saa uskomaan, että ensi kerralla jaksan kuunnella sanatkin.

reasonable - some good tracks but some mediocre as well

When I Get to the Border - Okay. The Calvary Cross - Really cool intro, nice instrumental under the lyrics. Lyrics are pretty mysterious as to their actual meaning. Withered and Died - Slow, heartfelt. Really sad lyrics when you pay attention to them. Down where the drunkards roll - Okay. Most of the songs are pretty good.

I didn't see anything special about this release. completely harmless

Enjoyable, introspective, mellow, maybe a little too chill for my current mood

This was interesting, another group I had never heard of. They were good and maybe a little ahead of their time.

Good folk record. 7/10

Not bad overall. The final track on the album was my favorite, though it was quite different from the rest. It felt like it could be more at home on an Opeth album than on a collection of folk rock tunes.

Tolerable folk rock, but not really my thing at all. Linda has a lovely voice and they have a couple of cool hooks, but I’ll never listen to this on my own. C

Actually enjoyed this album. 3/5

These guys were definitely in the fair port convention lol

3+/5

Lögin sem Richard syngur: meh. Lögin sem Linda syngur: 😍 Brb, farin að skoða meira af því sem hún hefur gert!

AJ: vocally and musically the two of them and the band all sound really good. Some songs are a little slow, and some of the subject matter is a little wonky. But they really do sound quite good. The title track is easily, my favorite.

The Decemberists owe them a little

5/10 I’m sorry but this irish folk stuff makes me wanna pull my ears off I was really fighting the urge to turn this off It’s not complete garbage, I think 5/10 is a fair rating because there is some genuinely good production here, it just REALLY isn’t for me

An interesting progression for the Folk sound. Following his success with Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson's I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight is a keystone album that sets Folk in a direction that Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits easily use as an influence. 3.5/5

Folky background music

Liked this more than I thought I would. Solid LA-style folk/rock. I enjoyed the Linda contributions more than the others.

This is precisely what I like to imagine London would be like. It's got weak spots, but overall very pleasant.

One great song: The Calvary Cross. The the other songs are better than average folk songs. 3/5

A really nice collection of songs! I like that the album goes back and forth a bit between traditional sounding folk songs and more modern 70’s rock. I enjoy those folk songs sometimes but I usually can’t do too many in a row so I enjoyed having some different songs in the mix. “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight” is an early highlight for me. I love the ‘I’ve been working all week so let’s go out tonight’ lyrics and the melody is great. Honestly, all these songs have strong melodies.

I love the trading off solos in "When I Get To The Border". "The Cavalry Cross" reminded me of Leonard Cohen's great track "One of Us Cannot Be Wrong". Lovely! This was pretty good album and middle of the road for this list- which isn't an insult whatsoever. Solid 3/5 for me.

It was good, easy listening.

Kinda serene and melancholic. Comfortable to listen to during studying.

3.8 - I tried a few times to listen closely but I always found my mind wandering. So, for me it's pleasant background music. Still, as far as folk rock goes, the chord progressions are relatively complex. And I like the vocals, especially Linda's contributions. "The Great Valerio" ends the album on a gorgeously haunting note - perhaps the lone track that demands attention. Other standouts: "When I Get To The Border", "Withered and Died" and the title track.

Strong 3, made me like this genre more

Nice, easy listening folk music. This was a lot better than I was expecting it to be. I would probably not return to this record on my own, but I'm glad I heard it. Standouts were The Calvary Cross and I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight.

что-то невнятное

Ok

Wasn't sure at all at first. Linda tips it onto a reasonably enjoyable listen. I like folk but this is a bit of a mish mash of sounds: pub rock, country and brass bands!

Very repetitive in my opinion, though the text was quite good.

Changes between boring and kinda cool depending on the song

I liked it but it also didn't leave an impression lasting more than a day. Onto the 3 star pile it goes!

Nice folk stuff, I guess. It didn't really grab me but that isn't to say it was bad, just no my taste

Started strong but didn't blow me away

Haven't heard of these artists before, really enjoyed this - nice folky, with 'The Calvary Cross' now being hearted and added to my Spotify liked songs! Lovely.

3.5/5

instrumentals were decent, vocals were fine, mixing was your standard thoroughfare. all in all - this is the most 6/10 album I’ve ever heard. a reviewer on RYM correctly remarked that the album looks like it was written for a songwriting course, what with all the uniformity in the chords and the slight detachment through which the vocals are sung. it doesn’t take away much from the experience, though.

I feel like this is really close to be something I would like but I don’t quite get it. Maybe it’s just a bit too folk. Not bad but a little repetitive. Down Where the Drunkards Roll was my favorite - preferred the quieter tracks.

I don't see what's the deal. It's alright.

Happy to have discovered and listened

Better than I assumed

Kinda good, kinda bland. I would consider possibly listening to it again sometime to see if I like it a little more on repeat listens.

Perfectly fine folk music. British folk has a certain edge to the song where the accent comes through a bit more than I'd like, but the songs here a nice enough that I don't mind as much. Solid album.

Alright

Really generic 70's folk rock stuff. Not bad but not my cup of tea.

5/10. How much Fairport Convention does this list really need?

Well, first things first, it's not for me. I think I've spoken about not really getting folk that much. That being said, this does a lot more than a lot I have heard - on the title track it sounds like they have a full colliery brass band on there, which is cool. They seem willing to experiment within the lines of their genre, and so unlike a lot of the folkie stuff, this didn't feel longer than it's 30 minute runtime.

They use the same resources in different songs. There are a few songs that do not sound similar to each other

This was nice. Relaxing and soothing

I had not heard this album before, had a limited understanding of who this was. This is a solid album of well written English/Irish folk influenced rock. I am reminded of certain aspects of American folk styles and bands/artists that showcase this influence, i.e. the Band, and Songs:Ohia. Favorite songs: “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight” and “Down Where the Drunkards Roll”. Solid listen.

Solid effort, my favorite parts were the lead melodic parts throughout the record on a variety of instruments. All very solid and well done, just not really my cuppa tea.

This wasn't as rewarding as I had hoped. I thought that I was familiar with the album and was in for a treat. I managed to get it mixed up with Don't Renege. Whoops. It was pleasant enough, serving as a useful document of the folk meets electric crossover. Dickie and L harmonise well together. At times I thought I had been transported to some Gawd bloody awful folk club and was expected to take a turn on the stage. Half decent.

Folk. Muy bueno.

Du bon folk sans plus

Better than expected given the time period; there are even a few good songs here.

Middle of the road country.

Fine. A soundtrack to a melancholy indie movie I haven't watched.

Too folky for my current mood

Meh! Pretty average folk album, nothing special Linda's voice is much better IMO than her husband making her tracks my favourite

The title track is great- catchy, lush sound and production, nice harmonies. But the rest of the album is just ok. Generally the woman who sings is much better than the man- the man (Richard Thompson) has fine range but his voice is kind of whiny. I didn’t especially like any of the songs he sang. And outside of the title track, the rest of the album is heavy on slow and sad songs or very spare, simple production. There’s some nice stuff in there but it’s not as gripping as the title track.

I had NO idea what to expect having never listen to any of Thompsons discography. What I got was pretty well done folk rock that I am more than certain fueled many a singer-songwriter in the ‘80s. The Dylan inspiration is clear.

I have a thing for ‘reinterpreting’ lyrics. Which is to say (1) mishearing, (2), taking out of context, and then (3) reinserting said mishear lyrics into a totally different context. (An example. Start spreading the news/I’m leaving tomorrow. For a good two decades, I thought Ol’ Blue Eyes was a man of advance planning etc. as it happens, I still think ‘today’ makes no sense) Anyway, I thought ‘The Little Beggar Girl’ was ‘My little bagatelle.’ If Richard made Linda sing this on stage, no wonder they had a tempestuous relationship and so on. Talk about projection. She has an interesting voice, his is Kwiksave basics. Arrangement effective but just about that. Doubt I’ll go out of my way to listen to this again.

Folk, even with the great Richard Thompson is not cutting it for me right now. Catch me in a few month's time and I might have a different opinion on this album..

This is a little folky for me but the title track is killer. Great, great, great tune. Love Linda's voice on it. Her voice is slow, light and tangy while Richard's is reminiscent of Gordon Fitzgerald (yawn). Linda's voice grew on me over the course of listening to this album, but wasn't enough to elevate this into a four star rating. However, I'll add the Bright Lights track to a favorites playlist.

Richard and Linda Thompson take turns early on “I Want to See the Bright Lights,” not just trading songs back and forth but also taking turns showing they are each capable of good songs and dial-turners. For both, the songs that skew more towards folk rock than straight folk are the ones I prefer, but they teamed up for decent folk songs on “Down Where the Drunkards Roll” and “Little Beggar Girl.”

A pleasant folk album. Linda’s voice is radiant. I think The Great Valerio is my favorite track.

Worth another listen.

Mention bien

Landed up not, not liking it

It decent. Pleasant on the ears with some pretty nice guitar work and songwriting. 5/10

Woah. what a patchwork. Accordion, harpsichord, bagpipes maybe?? Not for me but what a ride.

Better than the average folk album. I'm not generally a fan of folk but I could see myself listening to this again

Some very fine English campfire music.

melancholy tavern music. its alright.

Interesting. Guitar technique and mezzo-soprano singing. (6/10) FT: I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Not a huge folk person but it seems fine, the titular track was definitely the best.

I enjoyed the first half a lot. Folksy tunes with some upbeat elements (which are apparently shanty elements). The second half is the usual slow folk that is so boring I decided to just give this a 3 instead of a 4. Still, it's another one of the few folk albums that I actually enjoy.

Is it fun and enjoyable? Yes. Are there a few standout tracks? Also yes. But do I find it infinitely enjoyable to listen and re-listen to? Nah, not really. It was a solid album, it was worth a listen, and I enjoyed it. Highlights/fave tracks included "We Sing Hallelujah," "Withered and Died," and "The Little Beggar Girl." Good stuff here, solid listening, and deserves to be on the list. Just not my particular cup of tea.

Found this album after watching The Night House for the use of Calvary Cross. Calvary Cross is easily the best on the album, but decent overall (minus Beggar's Girl).

Interesante. No sabía que existían. Buena noticia conocerlos.

Good for what it is but not something I'd listen to often

I'm a folk fan so I really enjoy this album musically. And its lyrically solid. I just am a much larger fan of American folk music and get tired of the English whine at times. It is still a really good album just not the vocal sound I enjoy.

Couple of lovely tracks here (calvary cross and IWTSTBLT)

I enjoyed it but it didn't stand out to me, this one probably won't be a repeat listen

was good

Some lovely English folk music. If a little generic sounding. Nothing really stands out to me (unlike Shoot Out The Lights). Maybe more listens would bring a higher rating but for now 3.5 🌟

I think this is one of those records I'm supposed to worship. It was fine?

Rating: 6/10

Yeah it was ok.

Nikad za njih čuo, ali vidim da su prava jesenska gozba, hehe. Nije loše. U nekim dijelovima njen vokal me podsjeća na Nico. Favoritne: Down Where the Drunkards Roll, The End of the Rainbow

7/10

I have owned this album for nearly 20 years but don’t listen too often. The bits I like, I really like. But those are the least folky bits. The stuff on the really folky end of the spectrum doesn’t do much for me at all.

This album seems like it influenced a lot of early 00s indie acts.

A great find. I’m not crazy for the sea shanty elements, but I should have heard this before now. Really enjoyed ‘The Calvary Cross.’ 3.5

Very folksy and well written. Title track was the best but probs wouldn’t listen to it again

Nice sleepy folk album. Something I'd listen to on a rainy day while cleaning or something

Nice folk music. I enjoyed it. But I wouldn't consider it a masterpiece, by any stretch, as people say. 3/5

boring but a nice listen

Ok, a bit too country for me

Folky Country like "rock" so far so good.

// Favs: The Cavalry Cross Score: Light to Decent 3

Nice easy album to listen to. I feel they harmonize well and definitely some great songs from people I've never heard of before

Easy listening with some great variety. Moderate tempo and upbeat feelings.

I’d first listened to Richard Thompson here in Fairport Convention, which didn’t do anything for me. This record is far better from the opening pair of songs, probably the two best tracks on the album. For vocals, to be honest, I prefer Richard to Linda, who’s more natural and less melodramatic. While there are some fine songs in the second half, I found myself looking for something else every time “We Sing Hallelujah” came on.

Folky

Surprisingly good, slightly funky folk

A bit of an odd duck for the time period.... Unique layered folk song appeal. Good to listen to once

I liked a few of the songs especially when they sang together...the harmonies were beautiful. But only a few songs would I listen to more than once.

nice enough, but a bit hippy dippy

Good american, country music, don't have anything else to say about it.

Pleasantly surprised by this one. Don't love folk music but this had some great hooks and I feel they compliment each other very well Saved: I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, We Sing Hallelujah

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: When I Get To The Border, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Don't really like folk, particularly English folk, but this was fine enough. Definitely loses steam over the second half but hey that means it started well. Speaking of steam, I really really like the album art, would look sick on a record display case where I didn't really ever have to listen to the music itself.

Y Linda Thompson

Leuke soft rock maar wel een beetje saai. Wel leuke achtergrond muziek

there was a time and place for music like this....I'm sad I missed it because I think I could have gotten into it..... but in present day I don't think I can actually enjoy this music much :/

Jako znawca brytyjskiej muzyki folkowej, albumiku oczywiscie nie kojarze, nie slyszalem takze o malzenstwie Panstwa Thompsonow nigdy wczesniej, ale albumik bardzo przyjemny w odsluchu, wiekszosc wokali to Pani Linda, ale sa tez kawalki na ktorych spiewaja w duecie, badz Pan bierze udzial w chorkowaniu, instrumenty jak to na folkowego rocka przystalo, gitarki klasyczne, elektryki, jakis basik, drumy spokojne i nawet akordeonowe kawalki sie znajda, na plejke leci otwierajacy when i get to the border, gdzie najwiekszy udzial wokalowy ma Pan Rychu i ciekawe gitarki mozna posluchac oraz tytulowy I want to see the bright lights tonight, bardzo moodowy albumik

Good record, with two or three great songs... But really can't see anything special... Maybe lyrics? I did not pay attention...

Overall decent folk that I liked. One song: The End of the Rainbow is really depressing, but kinda beautiful.

Folk stuff not too bad tbh

I'm surprised that I didn't dislike listening to this folk music. Almost a point off for the live songs at the end, but the studio recordings were pretty chill

Not bad, bits of folk are tasteful

On average I liked Richard's songs more but I like Down Where The Drunkards Roll the best out of this album. As a whole it's ok.

Solid.

Nice bit of fokk

I liked it. There was a song that sounded very shanty-esque!

It was ok.

Not a big fan

sounds lush and at points fantastic, but the actual meat on the bones aren't all there for me necessarily throughout

2.5/5

Ok. Liked songs that added horns the most

definitely some good tracks. The kind of album (like most albums) I think I would need to listen to more than once. Definitely could see myself liking it a lot after a bunch of listens.

July 4th, Fitting album for today. Mostly somber but sometimes upbeat folk music with rock elements that make it more interesting. Standout Tracks: When I Get To The Border, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, The Little Beggar Girl, Together Again (Live), The Cavalry Cross (Live)

didnt stick much but i love all the female parts of the songs :)

Unremarkable. Why? This book blows.

This was fine. 70s folk rock. I had more fun learning about them and their history.