Richard & Linda Thompson
This husband-and-wife folk/rock duo began performing together officially in 1972 although their association dated from the previous year. When Richard Thompson (b. 3 April 1949, Notting Hill Gate, London, England; guitar/vocals) left Fairport Convention, he pursued a generally low-key path, performing in folk clubs and on various sessions, including Rock On, a collection of rock ‘n’ roll favourites which featured several Fairport acolytes. ‘When Will I Be Loved?’ was marked by a duet between Sandy Denny and Linda Peters (b. Hackney, London, England), the latter of whom then provided vocals on Thompson’s Henry The Human Fly. Richard and Linda then began a professional, and personal, relationship, introduced on I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. This excellent album contained several of Richard’s best-known compositions, including the title track, ‘Calvary Cross’ and the despondent ‘The End Of The Rainbow’: ‘Life seems so rosy in the cradle, but I’ll be a friend, I’ll tell you what’s in store/There’s nothing at the end of the rainbow/There’s nothing to grow up for anymore’. The Thompsons toured with former-Fairport guitarist Simon Nicol as Hokey Pokey, which in turn evolved into a larger, more emphatic unit, Sour Grapes.
The former group inspired the title of a second enthralling album which blended humour with social comment. Its release was the prelude to a frenetic period which culminated in Pour Down Like Silver, the Thompsons’ second album within 12 months. It reflected the couple’s growing interest in the Sufi faith, but despite a sombre reputation, the set included several excellent compositions. A three-year hiatus in the Thompsons’ career ensued, broken only in 1977 by a series of live performances accompanied by fellow converts Ian Whiteman, Roger Powell and Mick Evans, all previously with Mighty Baby. Now signed to the Chrysalis Records label, First Light provided a welcome return and many commentators rate this album as the duo’s finest. The follow-up release Sunnyvista was, in comparison, a disappointment, despite the inclusion of the satiric title track and the angry and passionate ‘You’re Going To Need Somebody’. However, it led to the duo’s departure from their record label. This second, if enforced, break ended with the superb Shoot Out The Lights, nominated by Rolling Stone magazine as the best album of 1982. Indeed such a response suggested the Thompsons would now secure widespread success and they embarked on a US tour to consolidate this newly won recognition. Despite this, the couple’s marriage was breaking up and in June 1982 the duo made their final appearance together at Sheffield’s South Yorkshire Folk Festival. Richard Thompson then resumed his critically acclaimed solo career, while Linda went on to record One Clear Moment in 1985.
© TiVo
Discography
17 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Pop - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Apr 30, 1974
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Shoot Out The Lights
Rock - Released by Ryko - Rhino on Mar 15, 1982
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hard Luck Stories (1972 - 1982)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Mar 27, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Pop - Released by Universal-Island Records Ltd. on Apr 30, 1974
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Shoot Out The Lights
Rock - Released by Ryko - Rhino on Mar 15, 1982
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hokey Pokey
Pop - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Jan 1, 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best Of Richard And Linda Thompson: The Island Record Years
Rock - Released by Universal-Island Records Ltd. on Jan 1, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pour Down Like Silver
Pop - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Nov 1, 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hard Luck Stories (1972 - 1982)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Mar 27, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Want To See The Bright Lights (Extended Edition)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Apr 30, 1974
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In Concert November 1975 (Live)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Jan 1, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
First Light (Extended Edition)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Oct 1, 1978
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pour Down Like Silver (Extended Edition)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Nov 1, 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hokey Pokey (Extended Edition)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Apr 1, 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sunnyvista (Extended Edition)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Oct 1, 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sometimes It Happens: The Early Years
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Mar 27, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Madness Of Love Live 1975-1977 (Live At Queen Elizabeth Hall, London / 1975)
Folk - Released by UMC (Universal Music Catalogue) on Mar 27, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo