Back in 1999, Richard Thompson was asked to name his 10 greatest tunes of the millennium. He took the request at face value and came up with a list that started with "Sumer Is Icumen In" from the 11th century and carried on through to Jerry Lee Lewis. From there came the idea of expanding the list to a couple of dozen songs and recording them live in concert. It's an inspired conceit as, with just an acoustic guitar and percussion, he delivers 1000 years of the people's music, taking in medieval lays, centuries-old folk ballads, Purcell, Gilbert and Sullivan, Abba, Prince and many points between. Hearing is believing, and it works brilliantly.
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Basil Brush
Foxshire
Foxshire
Concept album,perfect - shock!
Anyone who hasn't yet seen Richard Thompson live is missing out on the a perfect evening's entertainment. The concept for this album is a simple but glorious one. Fancy a 13th century monk's favourite, or a dash of 21st century Britney Spears, and several points in between?
Beautifully played with just percussion and backing vocalist to assist, RT delivers a bewildering set of seemingly incompatible tunes that work just fine. Add into the mix RT's self deprecating humour honed to perfection after 40 years treading the boards, and you get a truly 5 star performance. A tip, buy the DVD and get the audio CD as well thrown in.
To this persons ears this is the best album of the new millenium bar none.
