The flow of Music between England and America operates under laws known to none but a blessed few. Why is it that for many English people, myself included, American Music has always implied bland soft rock; the Eagles or Journey? Yet fine Musicians like John Hiatt are rarely heard in England. The same discrepancy applies to English Music. There are English Musicians who seem fated never to gain the recognition they merit and of these, Richard Thompson must be the saddest casualty.
Originally the co-founder of the seminal folk rock band Fairport Convention, Thompson's career has lasted almost 40 years now. Fairport made some impact in America, but are chiefly remembered for a troubled residency at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, which resulted in the band owing money to the promoter; their bar tab had exceeded their wages. Given this delight in wine and women it is remarkable that Thompson ever got around to song. Amongst his achievements however, are tracks like Meet on the Ledge a passionate avowal of faith in the afterlife. Listen to this, and you'll understand why I think this is the finest song ever writt en.
Thompson left Fairport in the early 70s, and since then his career has included both solo work and albums with his wife Linda. The best of these. I Want to See the Bright lights Tonight was his most successful in the United States. Yet even this was out of print for many years. While Thompson has never achieved great commercial success, other Musicians consider him a peerless songwriter. Many of his songs have been covered, amongst the best being Elvis Costello's soul wrenching version of Withered and Died.
With this album Across a Crowded Room, Thompson aimed to make an impact on a wider American audience. Written after his painful divorce from Linda, this album shows no mercy in its dismissal of her. The titles of the tracks reveal the depth of the writer's feelings ... When the Spell is Bro ken, She Twists the Knife Again, Love in a Faithless Country. This last song is snarled to the accompaniment of a mournful chant of ... that's the way we make love ...
His chilling rejection of conventional romance quashes any possibility of salvation through love. Even when love does come, it can only be transitory: Love letters you wrote, get pushed back down your throat and leave you choking, when the spell is broken. Not even tokens of love remain. If love is not possible, then all that remains is lust. A less mournful song, Fire in the Engine Room, is a barely veiled hymn to physical satisfaction ... you take what you can get in a wasted land.
There are one or two weaker tracks on the album, in particular Little Blue Number, an upbeat song which seems incongruous on such a melancholy disc. As a whole, however, this is amongst the most impressive albums by England's greatest unsung hero.
You can read more of Tuppy Glossop's thoughts on Music and popular culture at his Web site, AtTheFamilyPlace.com
Author:: Tuppy Glossop
Keywords:: richard thompson,fairport convention,Music,linda thompson
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