Walking on a Wire: Richard Thompson (1968-2009) Review

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Walking on a Wire: Richard Thompson (1968-2009) ReviewWho is reading this? If you are an RT fan, as I have been since Fairport days, was your first reaction the same as mine: why? I mean, I have every song in this box set on some other cd(s). But I had to have it anyway (as another review noted). It is a great career overview, the recording is pristine - these songs have never sounded better. And when I play RT now I tend to gravitate to his live releases. So I am really enjoying re-visiting these great songs. I would recommend this for the sound quality alone.
If you are not a big fan, or have heard the hype but do not really know his music, it is all warranted. Fairport Convention was a "folk rock" band from the 60's. (I italicize that because they were really so much more). There are only a few songs from this period here. (The box set A Fairport History has a much more comprehensive selection of RT from this period). The tracks here range from the upbeat rock of Time Will Show the Wiser to the folk of Genesis Hall and Crazy Man Michael to the long dirge Sloth, with it's ending guitar workout, RT already showing his chops (and Dave Swarbick adding his usual astounding fiddle). Then a couple tracks from RT's 1st solo effort, which was a great mish mosh of styles (in a good way).
His next period after leaving Fairport was with his wife Linda Thompson. This era produced some of the finest adult rock music ever. The songs are quite varied, acoustic and electric, happy and sad. Actually, together they recorded (lyrically) some of the most realistic love songs I have heard: Walking on a Wire; The Great Valerio; Did She Jump or Was She Pushed; Withered and Died; For Shame of Doing Wrong. This is not greasy kid stuff. These are mature songs for folks whose hearts have been around the block a few times and know the joy and pain of love. RT's lyrics really hit home in expressing these emotions. Balancing these are more upbeat rockers: When I Get to the Border, Calvary Cross, Bright Lights, Wall of Death and Sunnyvista. I am not listing every track, but this period was really strong, RT maturing both as a guitarist and songwriter. And having LT and RT trading vocals added to its strength. Richards playing is generally a showcase for restrained, "smart" guitar. Hero guitar for the thinking person. The electric pyrotechnics are there, but on record he does not go for the epic workouts his live shows are known for. And his acoustic work, well, everytime I close my eyes I hear 2 or 3 guitarists. No, it is not double tracked recording. For the uninitiated, check out the song Shoot Out the Lights (and the CD). Powerful, riveting, frightful, the sound of despair and loneliness at the breaking point with some jaw dropping guitar work. This was recorded as he and Linda's relationship was falling apart, and it is all documented in song. Brilliant.
After their breakup came his long and continuing solo career. Again, it the the variety of songs which is compelling. The common thread is the smart, adult lyrics, many of which all have a touch of cynicism. As well as the guitar. I could not possibly go through all the tracks. There are a lot of uptempo "rockers": Tear Stained Letter (one of his classics), Turning of the Tide, Valerie, I Feel so Good (..."I'm going to break somebody's heart tonight"), Razor Dance, Dad's Gonna Kill Me, Cooksferry Queen. Then the ballads which tell a story: the heartbreaking and fan favorite 1952 Vincent Black Lightening (lightening would be a good metaphor for his guitar work in this, eh?), Beeswing, Al Bowlly's in Heaven, Persuasion. Heck, there are just so many great songs here. The cynicism of She Twists the Knife Again; the poignent I Still Dream and Waltzing for Dreamers; the melancholic confession of I Misunderstood; the achingly lovely She Sang the Angels to Rest. Folks, every song here is truly great. And throughout this period RT always has had a great collection of backup musicians, Pete Zorn and Danny Thompson (no relation) prominent amoung them.
So, if you do not know RT, this is a great place to start, and perhaps all you will need. (His first 3-cd "box" has many of the same songs but balances this release nicely in that it includes a few essentials that are not here. The second box of unreleased stuff is essential for fans, but not the place to start if you are new to RT.)
Top twenty guitarist of all time? I love how rock magazines and critics have to rank things. If you, as I, have seen RT live both acoustic and electric he is beyond compare. Sure, there are other guitarists just as "great", though with different styles. How do you compare them? You cannot. But the things RT is capable of doing and his mastery of both the electric and acoustic are unparalled. One thing this box lacks, with one exception, is any of his epic live guitar workouts. I have seen him drop jaws many times with Shoot Out the Lights, Calvary Cross, Can't Win, Jerusalem on the Jukebox, Night Comes In, and others. (On his 2nd box set box I always had issue with the "guitar workouts" included on it; I have dozens better on numerous bootlegs). But here, we do get one gem: Hard on Me. I saw him do this a couple of years ago at the Tralf in Buffalo, and words cannot describe the workout he exercises on this song. I watched his hands so carefully, but the notes, the bends, it was all a blur of virtuosity. Again for the uninitiated, this song (especially the last 5 minutes) is a perfect example why RT has the reputation he does. (For further proof listen to the aforementioned acoustic work on 1952 Vincent Black Lightening). I kind of wish they included a couple more of these live killers, but, oh well, whatever, never mind.
Yeah, there are some favorites I would have like to have seen included, but I am not even going to bother listing them. RT picked this set, so who I am to quibble? I will echo another review: you gotta have this release. I love music and love lots of different kinds of music, but I cannot think of another box set that is top to bottom this good. Thanks Shout Factory. While Rhino still does a few good things, I appreciate that there are some labels that consistently get it right. Shout Factory is one of them. Attention all mature adults seeking intelligent rock written just for them: go buy this and enjoy it!Walking on a Wire: Richard Thompson (1968-2009) OverviewCareer-spanning four CD box set from the British Folk Rock legend spanning the years 1969-2009. The songs chosen for this selection of his work were carefully assembled and aim to provide a real sense of Richard Thompson, as well as to celebrate the diversity of hismusic - Rock 'n' Roll with Folk, Jazz, Rockabilly and the odd waltz thrown in - the scope of his songwriting, and the sheer virtuosity of his playing. Produced by Richard Thompson, Walking On A Wireimpressively includes 71 tracks from albums released by 15 different labels, and includes a 60 page booklet with new notes by Patrick Humphries.

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