I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

I dont like folk

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

Absolutely terrible, who’s deciding on these albums?

Lidt intetsigende folk

First time hearing the Thompson's.

Not for me.

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

it was allright

Great musicians. Weaker songs. Solid.

A perfect album for evoking a thorough hopelessness and deep dispair. I wonder - the female vocalist could do a “cowboy junkies” cover with that voice. Impressions: A melancholy and weary sorrow. Deep disillusionment. Pleading when hopes have withered and died. A droning desolation, punctuated by shanty drinking tunes. charting the bottoms of the sea of depression, they paint a very brown picture of lifes despondency. I hear 'pogues' like sounds and a 'cowboy junkies' female voice peaks through , but I dont , I really dont, want to listen to this any more today. it makes me worse than weary. so yes, very effective, their evocations of self pity. 2 2

This album was part of many a hippy record collection in the mid-70’s. I’ve never owned it, but the pleasure of hearing it after so long makes that an omission I’ll need to rectify. I’ve long been a Richard Thompson fan, but I’d forgotten just how much I loved what his then-wife, Linda, brought to this record. Just as Beverley Martyn’s records with then husband John were among the highlights of his career, so were Linda’s 6 albums with Richard Thompson. Highlights : the title track; the beautiful Withered & Died (which Elvis Costello, as The Imposter, would resurrect a decade later as the flip of his anti-Falklands War single, Peace In Our Time); the amazing instrumental intro to The Calvary Cross - in fact, Thompson’s guitar, dulcimer, mandolin - just great. A terrific listen.

This was a surprise. I don't care for folk (or even folk rock) generally. I was aware of the reputation of this album (and Shoot Out The Lights even more so). I thought it would be a case of an album I would appreciate but not love. But I listened to this through three times in a row, and then picked out my faves (The Great Valerio, title track, When I Get To The Border, Calvary Cross, Down Where The Drunkards Roll). I very quickly became familiar with and a grew love for this record. While steeped in folk, Richard Thompson's use of electric guitar (and occasionally electric piano) really lift this. Linda's voice is so terrific, and she clearly deeply understands these songs. I really came around to loving this record. I'm putting it on my want-list.

Despite the relatively weak vocals, the record succeeds (and then some) based on the strength of the material, subtle playing and a certain authentic soulfulness. One prefers Fairport Convention overall and this can feel a little "austerity Britain" at times, despite landing an emotional and aesthetic punch.

It was......fine. The music was okay, but nothing memorable. The singing was so middle of the road that I kind of forgot that it was there as I was listening to this album. This is the musical equivalent of Minute Rice: it has its place, but I'll never be hungry for it alone.

Wouldn't be out of place in Summerisle.

Love the title track. The rest is largely a load of old shite

Something very captivating about this for me. Definitely coming back to this one... I can see Songs: Ohia/Magnolia Electric Company flowing from this, amongst others.

Wow, j’ai jamais entendu parlé de cette petite perle de folk, je réécoute définitivement

- Never heard of this before - Very impressed, really good album - Some tracks were better than others but still very good and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would - Fav songs: I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, When I Get to the Border, The End of the Rainbow

A very good mix between folk and (punk-)rock. Pretty cool!

Another new one to me. Definitely better than most. I like all the different styles present. 3.5/5

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.

Meh

Really enjoyed

Hard to fault really. I don't think there is a duff track on the album. The guitar is great and unshowy. Great British folk rock music.

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.

Why are english folk groups so wet? I cannot stand Fairport Convention, or their progeny, at the best of times, but with the undoubted quality of other music scenes in England in the mid 1970s, and of the folk music scene in the US, Scotland and Ireland at the time, why would English artists predominantly go for this mid-atlantic, hurdy-gurdy-come-nashville-trucker bullshit? Like a drunk Bob Dylan, coughing into a phone receiver, I can hear the good genesis of ideas in this album, songs that deserved to be experimented with, but I get bored listening to it, and feel the only enjoyment anyone would get would be the pretence of listening to 'real' aka ancient, folk music. Bring me more Nick Drake, and less of this, please!

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.

Wow those 70s vocals. Maybe this was a great revolutionary album back then but now it's meh. They are striving for that Simon & Garf folksy sound but miss the mark. They go a bit extra with accordian, banjo, strings, wind instruments which is also not my thing; they are great when they add to the song, but here they seem more on top of the song. Another great example of where the critics and I are not seeking the same thing. Linda's vocals are the only redeeming feature.

Solid folky stuff, unremarkable but half decent.

Ihan hauska. Tunnelma pysyi läpi levyn. Tarinoita on. Mukavaa kuunneltavaa, vaikkei ihan mun kuppi teetä.

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

Folk rocksinger-songwriter. Duo. Bonito. 4 (un poco irish)

Pretty folk-rock cut with simple, yet intriguing instrumentals, as well as decent song writing, which shines in combination with the voices of both Richard and Linda Thompson.

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.

Lieflijke stem van de zangeres, en leuke folk-melodieën.

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

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

Loved this, maybe I was just in the right mood, but it hit me in just the right way. The vocals are perfect, the instrumentals and mixes are outstanding. Some of the songs sounded like the could have been released in 2000's. Really enjoyed this.

Solid album and clearly a hidden gem. Which is what I'm here for. Why are you here?

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

One of those albums through which reviewers can boast to have a level of understanding and appreciation of art that rises above that of the masses. I'm with the masses: this is boring stuff.

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.

Was sorta taken aback how much I liked this. It's really good, and not a genre I generally like. It has that sorta Irish folksong thing, but also sounds like Joni Mitchell or similar. I love the singing, and the instrumentation. 4.25/5

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

Enjoyable 70s folk rock.

Folk just really isn’t my thing. Gets 2 stars because it wasn’t bad, just not my type.

This one was quite a surprise. Didn't think i would enjoy folk music that much. It's a great album to sit back and just relax for a while. But I'm gonna be honest, not really that much of a fan of Richards voice, but Linda kills it on this one. Her voice sounds amazing. Another highlight of the album for me were the instrumentals. Such a diverse sound.

These guys were definitely in the fair port convention lol

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

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.

I just couldn't get through it. Wrong time / frame of mind maybe but 🤷‍♀️

3+/5

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

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

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

The Carpenters, but British, with liquor instead of bubblegum, and none of that trying to fool everyone into believing they're siblings shit.

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

Nice enough sounds but content a but annoying

Feels like a night in a folk club

Light, sweet pop folk. I love music like this.

Good folk!

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

Unfortunately, I fail to see how this is a masterpiece.

Hmm På en måte behagelig, men samtidig litt creepy

Ikkje ille, ikkje nåke eg føle behov for å hørra igjen

A very 70's vibe to it. It's got a smooth feel to it with a twangy, folksy kind of rock sound

mehh.

Boring folk?

Very soothing album to listen to, could honestly put me to sleep. But in a good way

Folky background music

Excellent folk. The last track is particularly fantastic.

first time listening really struggled to get through this one least favorites withered and died we sing hallelujah the little beggar girl

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

Not really something I would come back to. Sounds like an early blend of country and rock.

Multi-genre album, that i hadn't heard of before, but I quite liked

Peaceful folk times

A nice folky romp!

Overall, it was an ok album. Nothing too intriguing, a little too much country/folk for me but definitely not the worst that I've heard. It was good to break up the singing between the two vocalists. Best: I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight Worst: The Little Beggar Girl

Man...it's pretty embarrassing for myself that I've been caught out by the Thompsons now. Twice now I've gone in expecting to hate a folk album from them, and twice I've been stunned into liking it. This one even more so than Unhalfbricking. I can't even verbalize a reason as to why this one works for me moreso than other folk albums. But well done. Favorite track: Down Where the Drunkards Roll

This is simply a beautiful album. The songs are excellent, Linda Thompson's voice is sublime, Richard Thompson's guitar playing is unique and inventive. 4 stars.

Some songs were okay but it had a weird Christian country vibe that wasn’t for me.

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

Actually pretty good, nice and relaxing.

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.

4.25

Strong 3, made me like this genre more

meh

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

Absolutely fantastic album, love it love it love it

Nice jams 7 out of 10

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!

Good English folk music, lovely and grim. I enjoyed this listen today.

I think that this was a good record for the British folk rock. Not something that I loved or will be inspired to revisit, but it was fairly easy to listen to.

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!

Never heard of this album or Richard or Linda before (until I realised Richard was in fairport connection) but was immediately drawn in by the album cover. Really enjoyed this great folk album, will be added to my rotation. Just short of the full 5 stars.

A couple good songs, but otherwise this felt like a far cry from Fairport Convention. Uniqueness and specificity was traded in for a generic overtrodden sound.

I love this, but it does miss something special from Fairport Convention's sound.

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

Boring

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

Changes between boring and kinda cool depending on the song

Not too exciting, the calvary cross live was nice but I won't listen to this again

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

Richard Thompson brings the same warmth and beauty to his solo work that he blessed Fairport Convention with. The invaluable assistance of his then-wife Linda really elevates these simple songs.

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.

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

3.5/5

There’s worse albums in this list, just.

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 like folk, but this is annoying.

This was rather lovely. I need to have a deeper listen 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.

I was expecting this to be a bit too folky for my liking, but it was actually pretty listenable. A whole extra star for The Calvary Cross which is an absolute belter!

Happy to have discovered and listened

Better than I assumed

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.

I had the same reaction to every song: 1. What is this shit? 2) Oh actually it's not bad. 3) Hey this is pretty good. 4) I don't know if that was good... maybe I should listen again. Bottom line, I liked this album even though I'm not sure why.

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

5/10

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.

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

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

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.

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

7/10 pleasant but silly

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

Title track is great and it’s very pretty but also a bit sleepy. 7/10

Very dour tone, which of course was their goal. They achieved it. Unfortunately they achieved using slow, plodding drum lines and repetitive melody work. Can you tell I wasn't a fan? Some of my favourite bands focus on dark or evil themes, this album did not strike the same chords. Also what's with the song about the Beggar Girl?

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.

Richard AND Linda

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

Mid

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

This really hit me in the right feelings today.. lovely classic folk.

This was nice. Relaxing and soothing

I really enjoyed this album more than I thought I would

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.

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

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.

Great, more UK trash that never made the slightest impact on the rest of the world. Rolling my eyes so hard I’m likely to strain every optic muscle and nerve I’ve got. There are actually successful acts from other countries that aren’t getting their due recognition and it’s pissing me off. This album was so bland and mediocre, nothing stuck.

Well, that whole album just played thru and I don't think I heard a single thing that sparked my interest. Masterpiece huh?

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.

Hitting the right spot today

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

Not for me. Can't imagine why I would've needed to hear this before I died.

Never heard of this band before. Felt a little generic 70s rock.

I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. Okay. Unremarkable. Has no place being in this list. 2.

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

I usually like Richard Thompson both solo and with Linda. I think this is a very good album. The title track is great (although not quite as good as Wall of Death from the much later Shoot Out the Lights album). As always, his guitar playing is very impressive.

I did not like this. Some songs were fine, but some of them almost feel like musical theater -versions of irish folk songs (I found "Poor little Beggar Girl" particularly unbearable). Honestly I hated Linda Thompson's voice and all the songs I liked best were sung by Richard. I always have heard that he is an amazing guitarist, but you would not know it from this album. The live tracks at the end of the Spotify version do showcase that a bit, but those versions are not actually on the album so they don't count and can't raise the score. Some of it is pretty beautiful but not enough for me to give this album a good rating or want to listen to it even again.

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

Not a huge fan. Pretty barebones and repetitive.

Disco de folk suave, tranquilo, relajado, demasiado insustancial. Adormece un poco. Le falta algo más de ritmo

Nice indie influence

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

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 don't really get it.

Yeah, enjoyed this - the Linda-lead songs were folky goodness. Kinda reminded me of Steeleye Span. And some of the Richard-lead songs, particularly "The Calvary Cross" and "The End of the Rainbow" prefigured slowcore, which is probably my favourite core, music genre-wise. Plus, "The Calvary Cross" was used to _such_ good effect in the movie "The Night House". If you like supernatural horror films, skip the trailer and go watch it! Fave track - "The Calvary Cross", natch.

Folk, Calming, Soothing, Sweet, Acoustic, Subtle, Introspective, Storytelling

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.

Crisp, distinctive guitar playing. A unique electric blend of traditional English folk, and rock. Surprising chord changes. Pretty fucking cool.

C'est du folk, sans harmonica

Perfect Saturday/Sunday morning music

First song is a snooze fest. Second song is better. Do not like the vocals though of either singer. Too soppy but not in the catchy, rootsy way of America, and too Jesusy as though it was played by someone from the chaplaincy at my school. (2.0)

Really good, and some great variety in there. A couple songs are duds but that’s all part of the fun

Très belle découverte! Ça tombe dans mes cordes! Jsuis occupé, donc j'ai pas le temps d'écrire plus.

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.

Did not really catch me in any way, sorry.

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..

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.

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.

Gorgeous songs with lovely vocals and melancholy, sometimes deeply cynical lyrics. The arrangements are elegant, yet also expertly restrained. This is the album I would give to anyone who claims they don't like folk rock. Fave Songs: When I Get to the Border, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, Withered and Died, The Calvary Cross The End of the Rainbow, Down Where the Drunkards Roll

Enjoyable and surprisingly close to country music given it's origin in Britain.

Por basofias como está Nachito no nos oye

On paper it ticks so many boxes for something i wouldn't like, but i really liked it. i may need to change my boxes

Mention bien

merci à la voix de linda thompson

Landed up not, not liking it

Quintessential British folk rock that’s bleaker and more cynical than I anticipated, with the jauntier tunes holding some of the album’s darkest truths. Paradoxically though, ‘…Bright Lights Tonight’ is still easy to love because despite its songs being full of existential dread and tales about the futility of life, it’s so accomplished and inviting musically.

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

Too religious and country

Явудивление

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

A surprisingly great folk rock album from the UK. Richard Thompson's songwriting is so quintessentially British that it's hard not to like it. Melancholy and fatalistic in equal measure with just the right hint of optimism to keep the ship afloat. Really well done. This was so close to a 5-star album. I bounced back and forth on it throughout the whole album but, at the end of the day, there just wasn't enough that was truly exceptional to earn it 5 stars. But it's a solid 4.5 at least.

Morris dancers sing Don McLean. Dire.

If they want to see the bright lights tonight I'm happy to let them and I hope they're a long, long way away.

is that a sackbut? no, it's a krummhorn

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

Whatever folk music

I can’t believe I’ve never listened to this. Not really my cup of tea, even though I appreciate the talent behind it.

I tried, and it was nice, but not my thing...feels like music to listen to in a tent on a rainy camping trip before you think maybe I should burn my hand to feel alive.

A really fine album. Some great songs, particularly the title track, Calvary Cross and Down Where the Drunkards Go, beautiful guitar throughout

Some very fine English campfire music.

I was lukewarm on this bleak sounding collection the first time through. As a fan of British Folk music, I wondered why they would have sent picked it, with so much other quality stuff out there. But the songs grow on you. Linda Thompson has a wonderful voice and Richard is a creative guitar player and great lyricist, though a bit dark.

great british folk music

melancholy tavern music. its alright.

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

Did not love this. The title track was the only song I liked at all, tbh. And randomly I watched the movie Looper after listening to this album and the title track was in it. Small world.

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

most people don’t know this but spotify actually made this album to replace Neil Young and Joni Mitchell

This was a surprise. I don't care for folk (or even folk rock, generally). I was aware of the reputation of this album (and, even more so, Shoot Out The Lights). I thought it would be a case of an album I could appreciate but not love. But I listened to this through three times in a row, and then picked out my faves (The Great Valerio, title track, When I get To The Border, Calvary Cross, Down Where The Drunkards Roll). I very quickly became familiar and loved this record. While steeped in folk, Richard Thompson's use of electric guitar (and occasionally electric piano) really lift this. Linda's voice is so terrific, and she clearly deeply understands these songs. I really came around to loving this record. I'm putting it on my wantlist.

This review has taken a few days. I knew I liked it very much straight away, but there was some wavering, some irresolution on my part, and I couldn't grasp exactly why. I still feel twinges of uncertainty, but hopefully bashing out some words will clarify things. Fairport Convention are not really a group that has entered my orbit; this is not due to any preconception about folk, but just that every time I always found another act that stirred my curiosity more. Sorry Fairport Convention, but I'd rather check out Alice Cooper and Jacques Brel at this minute. Anyway, Richard Thompson left Fairport Convention and started his solo career, and then a duo with his new wife Linda (fun fact: Linda Thompson used to be Nick Drake's girlfriend). And I found Linda to be the standout, the main reason the album works so well. Please understand that this is not meant as a slight against Richard: his songwriting on this record, notable for its air of despair, continually impresses, as does his fretwork. But Linda's singing is what I truly adore about this album: just listen to how eerie and unnerving her voice is on the last, best track, The Great Valerio. But why have I paused? With most of the folk albums I love (e.g., Five Leaves Left or Jackson C. Frank's one album), I raised my skirt for them first time unquestioningly. With this, it has had to work a little to seduce me. Also, I wish it would last longer. There's not so much a sense of a journey across this album, but rather ten fine songs. When the end came, I was taken by surprise: was it already over? I wish I didn't have to be this critical; I would love to eulogise this, and there is real gold here. Perhaps more time with it would drive me to bump it up to the highest perch, but I already have about 900 more albums to sort out.

An unexpected change of pace - new to me. I could get into this. Loved the opening track, lost some steam by the end.

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

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

Layered and beautiful

Not exactly Liege and Leaf, but sneakily and steadily good. The quieter cuts are best – ”Withered and Died,” “Has He Got a Friend,” The End of the Rainbow.” The cultural reclamation tunes (“The Cavalry Cross” “We Sing Hallelujah”) also work well in context. RT isn’t much of a singer, but the excellent and subtle playing, song selections and overall plan more than make up for it. 3.6 > 4

Too folk for me

I really liked the folksy refrains. Reminded me a lot of Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer

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.

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

A cool like country roots album. "I need to spend some money and it won't wait" The title track is a good groove with excellent and grabbing lyrics.

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).

The album was not good and it was folk music. Nothing was memorable or noteworthy. Go ahead and skip this one.

Interesante. No sabía que existían. Buena noticia conocerlos.

Great folk album. I loved the melodies and harmonies and shared vocals. The instrumentation was great.

Very enjoyable Folk album. Liked the celtic influences as well as their hamonies. Album got a bit weaker at the end when the songs turned slower and more sad

not for me

not for me

Folk rock. Folk. Rock. No.

Like The Pogues, but not as good

I can enjoy very folky English folk for the odd song, but a whole album is a bit much for me, particularly if it is on the gloomy side, like this is. If you're going down the route of this sound, I'd much prefer songs with earthy lyrics about trees, seasons and North Yorkshire coastal herb fayres. 2/5

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

It sounds good, I guess. But come on, it's 1973, and they are basically making folk? Kind of boring.

Eh.

Strangely enjoyable but not quite right 2.5 !

The shortest album I heard so far, but it was the one I was most looking forward to end. I only enjoyed the first song maybe, and it became boring after that. Not my cup of tea, I would give it 1.5/5 maximum.

Like it.

meh meh 2/5

was good

Best album to come from this list in a long while. Great folk, vocals, and instrumentation. Will be returning to this.

Not my thing

A new slant on electric folk - a stunning guitarist.

A little too slow for me but had a few good songs! Not sure I would listen again.

Pretty meh but good background music 2/5

At first listen, the draw is slight and the decision to remain engaged is delayed but not denied. An intentional exam of the lyrics of "When I Get to the Border" suggests that as far as songwriting goes, the Thompson's looking to tell short stories. The border is a euphemism for heaven, with golden pavement upon arrival. Yes, there's a flute and electric guitar showdown as well, musically, and that is a little weird. The title track might just be as happy, or sad, as the album gets, with the young lady insistent that she's taken on a date that spans an entire weekend full of dancing, bright lights and drunken nights that she can dream of on Monday morning. Overall, the theme is rather sad and without the sympathetic quality of the blues that suggest tomorrow can be a better day. Instead, the album goes a bit further in suggesting that tomorrow can be a better day but it probably will not. If one is prone to manic depression, perhaps there is an empathetic vibe with which to vent one's sorrows, as well as a mild tone with which to disappear into a corner when finished.

"1001 Albums Generator doesn't give me a Folk Rock album for 3 days" challenge (IMPOSSIBLE) Nothing to be said. It's folk rock. Boring. Next.

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

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?

Meh... 1.8/5

This was pleasant to listen to and I did enjoy it, however I have hard time rating this higher than 2 because I just feel there are so much better folk music stemming from this era. I will give this a strong 2 star rating though.

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

Very cool Irish folk music. I spent 10 days in Ireland years ago, and this album brought me right back to the pubs. Wont be everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed it

Rating: 6/10

'The Calvary Cross' è toccante, quasi emozionante. Anche 'I want to see to see the bright lights tonight' è piacevolmente allegra, mi ricorda gli ABBA. Il resto dell'album lo trovo un po' insulso. La svolta christian rock di 'We Sing Hallelujah' è una sorpresa, non so quanto gradita. Oltre a questo si aggiunge la depressione delle ultime 2. *

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

Nije mi za 2 nije mi za 3

Just could not get into it. Slow and lofty, but if I stop listening and close the tab before the halfway point, I know I am not into it.

not that bad 2.5

folk off! ha ha, did you see what i did there. there's a folk night in every town in the country specifically for all the chunky knitwear wearing, lentil eating 60 year old bearded men with mad guitar skills that have a hard on for songs about how shit life was before electricity. if for some reason i want to feel the pain of someone who's job it was to sift effluence to feed their family of 14 in song format then i'll just seek out one of those pubs. history nonces.

They sound like a lovely couple who moved to the suburbs and started experimenting with swinging out of sheer boredom. I might do the same after this.

Fantastic folk rock by the guy behind Fairport Convention. Tracks are diverse with unusual instruments and non-traditional techniques that reminds us the genre is called folk... so why not use instruments from centuries ago? Vocals are great by both of them, supplemented with excellent songwriting. Length is short enough to make for a pleasurable experience without getting tired of it. I'm not a huge fan, but it grows with each listen. There is little to complain about.

I hated this so much it was like having all the annoying niggly thoughts that run around your head put to shit music. The ones that drag you down the banal the superfluous the 'should I go to the shops' or 'I'm fed up of eating nuts'. Aĺl these thoughts put to a bunch 9f horrible folly country just nasty sounds. An what was beggar girl all about!

No thanks, not one for me.

Not my cup of tea at all

7/10

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

Хороший плотный альбом гитарной американской музыки

This was a nice vocal jazz album to listen to. Wasn't mind blowing but calming. 7/10.

There is no doubt a great album that could have been made fusing Irish folk music and pop/rock. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight is not that album. It manages to dilute the strengths of both Irish music and rock. The rock half of that equation should need no further explanation--anyone with a passing familiarity with rock or pop could see the weakness of the presentation here, if not the tunes themselves. Richard Thompson is a mediocre vocalist, full stop. Linda's voice has a pleasant but slight timbre and isn't very expressive. The musicianship barely struggles to rise above the level of amateur musicians in Ireland of the time. I suppose we ought to give the Thompsons credit for trying, though. To hear what a great fusion of pop and Irish music actually sounds like, check out The Ninth Wave from Kate Bush's Hounds of Love, also on this list. Or better yet, check out a traditional Irish band with truly great vocalists and musicians, like the Bothy Band. The bigger question is \"Why is this album on the 1001 list?\" Once again, we see the pattern of including music from another tradition, but only if it is mixed with traditional Western pop, and a weak example at that. I've got to cut the list maker a little slack because there is no truly great album that's a fusion of rock and traditional Irish music, as far as I know. But there are a whole bunch of great albums of traditional Irish music, if they wanted something undiluted, or quite a few great examples of traditional English folk music fused with rock, e.g. Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull (to their credit, Aqualung is on this list). I was blissfully unaware of I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight before today--no great loss.