Shoot Out The Lights - Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson (1982)
I’m sure I’ll write more about Richard Thompson. He’s a big part of my music-listening life but hasn’t ended up in here often.
After he left Fairport Convention, he branched into much more intricate guitar work and frazzled, anxious lyrics. He met Linda Peters while she was performing in similar circles, and the two recorded together for several years after marrying.
The marriage didn’t last, and some people say (though some people insist otherwise) that this last R< record is sort of a chronicle of the breakdown of that marriage. That sounds a bit grisly, and I’ve never been sure why that would make the record more appreciated or worth listening to or whatever.
The point is, this is Thompson in his prime, and Linda is an excellent vocal foil. It seems like Linda takes the lead on the saddest and most searching tunes, while Richard does the vocals on the tracks of disillusion, anger, and loss.
You get a great performance throughout.
Tracks I Liked
Walking On A Wire - sublime
Shoot Out The Lights - a “godfather of alt rock” sort of song that is nasty, brooding, and smouldering
Back Street Slide - presaging RT’s future blazing electric folk rock.
Wall Of Death - one of the best tracks the two created together, and one of the best on the record.
Bonus
RT has never stopped finding new ways to blow minds with his guitar work, especially on Shoot Out The Lights, which has become a signature tune for him. Pretty much any live version is worth a listen, though the one on the expanded reissue here is a good place to start.
Bonus Bonus
As long as I’m on about Bob Mould connections this week, Bob’s done a pretty fantastic version of Shoot Out The Lights himself.
