[rating=4.50]
Influential guitarist/songwriter Richard Thompson has a style which is hard to pinpoint but very easy to appreciate and listen to. Whether with his work with ex-wife Linda Thompson that garnered him attention by some, or his routinely strong solo offerings which others have sought out, the musician rarely makes a creative, career-jeopardizing miscue. So it’s not that much of a surprise that this live concert from Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in January 2011, Thompson slowly warms up the audience with a first set featuring 11 of 13 tracks off his latest studio album Dream Attic.
Backed by a sweet, seasoned cast featuring Pete Zorn on guitars, flute, sax and mandolin and Joel Zifkin on violin and mandolin, Thompson begins with up-tempo "The Money Shuffle" before the somber, Celtic ballad "Among The Gorse, Among The Grey" which rarely bursts through the surface, content to just simmer beneath. An equally enjoyable effort is the melodic, roots-y "Here Comes Geordie" with Zorn accenting on flute. After receiving a scarf from a fan, Thompson introduces the somewhat tedious "Burning Man" by describing the eclectic Nevada arts festival of the same name including the "wheel of sin," something Thompson says Zorn won on.
Thompson also has some fun with the crowd. "Is Tom Jones Celtic?" he quips after hearing Jones appeared at the festival. However, he hits paydirt again with the blues-y, Celtic-tinged, strutting "Demons In Her Dancing Shoes" th seems to flow swimmingly. Unfortunately being a new album with no oldies makes for warm but not boisterous ovations. "Stumble On" manages to get one fan enthused and for good reason as the sweet narrative Thompson weaves quickly draws the listener in as does the toe-tapping, folksy "Sidney Wells" that brings to mind The Clancy Brothers on steroids. Here Thompson shows his guitar chops in abundance with drummer Michael Jerome far from a shrinking violet.
Following the roughly 75-minute first set of new material, Thompson and company reach back into his musical treasure trove with rollicking "The Angels Took My Racehorse Away." Sadly "Can’t Win" isn’t stellar despite some blistering picking by the musician and a well-deserved ovation afterwards. The jazzy "Al Bowlly’s In Heaven" is also an acquired taste, a moody breather that sucks the air briefly out of the proceedings.
Thankfully Thompson ensures the homestretch hops beginning with the high-octane "I’ll Never Give It Up" that chugs along perfectly. Another highlight and set-stealer is "Wall Of Death" which mixes pop, folk, roots and country equally without sounding too busy or messy. This sets the scene for the buzzsaw, Cajun-tinged "Tear Stained Letter" with the audience’s collective knees knocking to the beat. The 22-song set concludes with "A Man In Need" but two bonus tracks from a solo show at the 2011 Cambridge Folk Festival are included. Overall it is a fine testament to Thompson’s rich history and still vital present-day work in a performance that seems to fly by.
