Richard Thompson - Live from Austin, TX

Starring:Richard Thompson
Studio: New West Records
Product Type: DVD

Description

Track Listing
1 - Cooksferry Queen
2 - Uninhabited Man
3 - Walking The Long Miles Home
4 - Al Bowlly's In Heaven
5 - Mingus Eyes
6 - Dry My Tears And Move On
7 - Easy There, Steady Now
8 - Persuasion
9 - Bathsheba Smiles
10 - Mr . Rebound
11 - Ghosts In The Wind
12 - She Twists The Knife Again
13 - Shoot Out The Lights
14 - Crawl Back ( Under My Stone )
15 - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
16 - Put It There Pal

Customer Reviews:

+1/2 -- Well crafted live show from 2001.......2005-09-14

Thompson is probably one of the most famous cult favorites in popular music. With dozens of albums in his catalog (solo, with then-wife Linda, and with Fairport Convention), he's been lauded far and wide for his guitar playing and songwriting, and his songs have been the subject of two full tribute albums. His idiosyncratic convergence of British folk traditions and American rock 'n' roll has found favor among a broad audience of folk, pop, rock and country enthusiasts.

This latest volume of the "Live From Austin, TX" series captures Thompson and accompanists (Michael Jerome on drums and Danny Thompson on upright bass) as recorded for the U.S. television program "Austin City Limits." The original half-hour TV edit is extended to 79 minutes on CD, and to the entire 87-minute performance on DVD. Unlike the live discs Thompson's offered through his own website, this set captures a single performance arc, showing off not just the singer, songwriter and guitarist, but the showman.

The set kicks off with the rousing "Cooksferry" before settling in to the somber "Uninhabited Man." The trio resonates with jazz-like interplay across fifteen (sixteen on DVD) titles drawn in large part from 1999's "Mock Tudor," and dating back as early as 1982's "Shoot Out the Lights" and 1984's "She Twists the Knife Again." The quality of Thompson's songs remains uniformly high between Thompson's most well-known tunes ("1952 Vincent Black Lightning," who's introductory guitar gains a cheer from the audience) and most obscure (the soundtrack composition, "Mr. Rebound").

Neither a career overview, nor a greatest-hits volume, this is still a good place to get a sense of Thompson's art, and an enchanting opportunity for fans to spend some quality time with their hero. DVD notes: soundtrack provided in stereo, DTS and Dolby 5.1.surround, and the set's 8-minute closing track "Put it There Pal" is included on DVD but not on CD. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2005 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Another must have disc!.......2005-08-28

For those who are already RT fans this one is a no-brainer, but then anything he does is for fans. If you don't know RT this is a GREAT way to be introduced to him. You get his stunning lyrics and guitar playing that is among the best in the world. Richard's humor is evident in between song banter as is his intelligence. In terms of humor I wish he would put "My Daddy is a Mummy," or "I Got the Hots for the Smarts" on a disc someday, but that is a minor quibble that detracts nothing from this disc. RT is one of the best lyricists around and his guitar playing whether acoustic or electric is amazing. A friend once asked at a show if there was more than one guitar player and of course there wasn't! Add the incomparable Danny Thompson on bass, Jerome on drums and what a trio! The DTS track is great.

a must-have!.......2005-05-20

This is the DVD that Richard Thompson's fans have been anxiously awaiting for decades.
The sound (especially for those with DTS systems) is fantastic, the song choices perfect, the picture quality is great, and, of course, this particular trio is one of the greatest in folk-rock history.
If you're debating between this and the Live in Providence DVD, by all means go with this one. Sure, we all love the great Pete Zorn, but the legendary Danny Thompson (unfortunately absent from the 2003 tour, and therefore the Providence DVD) makes this show transcendent. Of course, Richard Thompson fans should own both (the extras on the Providence DVD alone are worth the price).
Whether familiar with Richard Thompson's work or not, anyone who appreciates great songwriting, and/or great, innovative guitar playing should own this one. I couldn't be happier with this release.

Mr. Berman, I beg to differ..........2005-05-18

...and I haven't seen this show yet.

I am a Richard Thompson fan. To say "the acoustic tracks are dull" is like saying sex is boring.

We're talking RT here.

Most purists would say they'd be hard pressed to choose between an electric RT show or an acoustic one.

There is no one, NO ONE, I'd rather hear play acoustic guitar more than Richard Thompson.

You are entitled to your opinion, of course, and I respect that, but, even on his worst day, no way could RT be acoustically dull.

...jessayin'...

There are two reasons to buy this DVD:.......2005-05-15

1. Richard Thompson
2. Danny Thompson
The thompson boys deliver the goods and there are few chemistries as magical and alchemical as those cast by the superb fretwork of RT on 6 string and DT on upright. These two men were created to play together and every time out it has been wonderous! Live from Austin City Limits was a wonderful series. I'm still waiting for Neil Young and The International Harvesters appearance, possibly Neil's greatest concert.
Anyway, this show as one the ACL producers had been salivating for for years. RT's schedule finally brought him thru Texas and he was definitely on for the night. From the opening "Cooksberry Queen" thru "Put it There, Pal," he delivers catalogue standouts with dynamics and charm. The CD is also excellent, but leaves off "Put it There" and much of the wry humour between songs, so I'd tell you to get both, but with an edge toward this DVD.
Alright, so we get phenomenal renditions of "Easy There", "Shoot Out the Lights" and "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," for which the audience goes absolutely crazy, and he brings forth his take on his collaboration with Neil Finn "Persuasion" with such heartfelt compassion you can't help but wonder how much of his own real blood is in these lines. Certainly England's answer to Bob Dylan, Thompson has penned searing tales that often present his characters on the shores of heartbreak, bleeding. His wry observations on our ability to delude ourselves could be unrelenting, but there is always an element of compassion there as well. Perhaps it is the Sufi in him.
From the video standpoint you'll marvel at his technique and chord changes. This was especially well filmed, and given that it was in Texas, I'm certain there was keen interest in his finger work. No one commands the plectrum and finger picks like RT.
Michael Jerome is the perfect drummer for this band - every brush and stroke and beat is exactly what the song and these two fine musicians need. This is a consummate trio. When they launch into "Mingus Eyes" it is as much a showcase for Danny Thompson as it is for RT, and the way Michael Jerome falls in, you'd swear you could see Mingus smiling.
So pick this up. I watched it staright thru twice. You'll return to it often. This is what DVD and 5.1 wwere meant for.

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