The first 35,000 copies sold included a limited edition bonus CD, including tracks from Richard Thompson's 1000 YEARS OF POPULAR MUSIC show and footage from his BBC documentary.
Finding refuge in the arms of indie label Cooking Vinyl after years of wandering the deserts of the major labels, Richard Thompson strips his band down considerably in conjuring up the rich material that graces THE OLD KIT BAG. Longtime Thompson fans will be pleased to find the man rocking along quite convincingly, whether its with the steady build of tension found in the wiry opener "Gethsemane," the chiming and chugging "I'll Tag Along," or the rollicking chant "Jealous Words," (featuring Linda-like accompaniment by background vocalist Judith Owen.)
The (former?) Muslim guitar wizard takes a swipe at hardcore Islamic fundamentalism ("Outside of the Inside"), shines brightly with the positively poppy "She Said It Was Destiny," and makes like a Limey lounge singer with "I've Got No Right to Have It At All." Fans fortunate enough to acquire early copies of the album will be the beneficiaries of a bonus disc containing Thompson covers of Prince's "Kiss" and Orazio Vecchi's "So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo," along with a snippet of BBC documentary footage.
Thompson is one of the master musicians & storytellers of the 60s British rock scene. Seminal releases with Fairport Convention & 30+ years of solo albums & assorted collaborations (Zeppelin, Hendrix, Floyd, Bonnie Raitt, etc.) mark an eclectic & uncompromising career. This, his first studio record since 1999, is an intimate, smoky album of narrative songs, recorded as a trio with minimal overdubs, & allowing him to show off his guitar playing. Cooking Vinyl. 2003.
Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California.
Personnel: Richard Thompson (vocals, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, accordion, harmonium); Danny Thompson (double bass); Michael Jerome (drums, percussion, background vocals); Judith Owen (background vocals).
Personnel: Richard Thompson (vocals, guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, accordion, harmonium); Danny Thompson (double bass); Michael Jerome (drums, background vocals); Judith Owen (background vocals).Rolling Stone (5/29/03, p.62) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Richard Thompson's taut, literary folk pop is as odd and pleasing as ever..." Entertainment Weekly (5/16/03, p.72) - "...The writing is just as rueful, darkly romantic, and exuberant as it's ever been..." - Grade: A- Dirty Linen (8/03, p.66) - "...THE OLD KIT BAG offers the irony-laced sort of balm that Thompson dispenses so well, the cathartic relief that comes from his fiercely compelling explorations of pain, darkness, anger, and fear..."
ANANOTHERHIGHLIGHT Yep again a new hgihlight in a higlighting career.
I must have to do with the fact that Thompson is back on a small label.
Here he is playing and singing again like ..mmh let's say "hand of kindness".
Great band (well Danny thompon and Michael Jerome sounding like a complete band with Richard) and beautiful vocals by Judith Owens!!!
Go for it if you like Thompson. (when you don't try this one out and you gonna like him!!!)
Submitted by a reviewer (Zoetermeer, Netherlands) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Richard Thompson: Homemade and Made Well
Once again, Richard Thompson has produced a gem of an album, full of his imimitable mix of superb guitar-playing, intelligent and poetic lyrics, distinctive vocals ranging from the most tender to the most edgy and incisive, and the good taste to blend his multiple themes and influences in his usual artful way.
This time, though, he's chosen to present his typically all-original and new material in a more stripped-down instrumental format, utilizing only a bassist, a drummer/percussionist, and one female backing vocalist - - all this in great contrast to recently released Thompson offerings and affording perhaps a bit more opportunity for the listener to appreciate the subtleties of the writing. All in all, yet another work of art from a man who's been doing this high-quality work for decades, just beneath the gaze of the mass media and general audience. Submitted by a reviewer (Silver Spring, MD) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
More folkish, less rocking There seem to be three sides of Thompson, and this caters to his singer-songwriter/folkish one. Some of the songs are good. "Gethsemane" is one of the better, and "Outside on the Inside" alone makes the disc worth having. Still, Thompson seems to be searching for his voice and not finding it (as he did with 1982's Shoot Out the Lights, or his albums from 1985-1993). But if you prefer his Fairport Convention-type material, this may be the album for you Submitted by a reviewer (Forest Park, IL) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Every song is great Richard Thompson has hit gold with this collection of songs. The addition of a female harmony voice adds a newness to his music, yet the songs sound like his older works. Every song is great. Submitted by a reviewer (Chapel Hill, NC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
BRILLIANT !!!! This is wonderful collection of songs that are immediately engaging. Repeat listening only enhances my enjoyment of these superb songs. Richard Thompson is a brilliant artist !! Submitted by larry (Elmira, NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
More folkish, less rocking
Every song is great
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