Track Listing

1. Poisoned Heart And A Twisted Memory
2. Tear Stained Letter
3. How I Wanted To
4. Both Ends Burning
5. Wrong Heartbeat
6. Hand Of Kindness
7. Devonside
8. Two Left Feet

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25136 in Music
• Released on: 1986-06-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Richard Thompson and then-wife Linda had achieved a cruel victory with their final album together, Shoot Out the Lights, a riveting classic drawing much of its power from frank allusions to their disintegrating marriage. The preoccupation with the Thompsons' personal history may explain why, at the time, fans scrutinized the first Thompson solo album after the breakup (1983's Hand of Darkness) for fresh wounds. Fans missed a more fundamental issue--the de facto reunion of Thompson's first band, Fairport Convention, with Fairport's original producer Joe Boyd at the controls. Only violinist Dave Swarbrick is missing, with Simon Nicol, Dave Peggs and Dave Mattacks all present and accounted for, augmented by twin saxes, John Kirkpatrick's always-evocative accordion, and Clive Gregson's, John Hiatt's and Bobby King's vocals. Hardly surprising that this set should hold up so well, or that its nine solid Thompson originals should be so fully realized. --Sam Sutherland

CD Description
Richard Thompson's position as Britain's premier chroniclerof pain, loving and most things dark, was on the line here.This was his first album minus wife of a decade Linda--hersa voice guaranteed to lift any music--and he had much to prove. Thompson did it with considerable panache and a trustedband of old mates. The collection is a two-headed demon, combining rock with an acoustic intimacy. The songs are of a vintage, including with "A Poisoned Heart And A Twisted Memory", "Hand Of Kindness" and his greatest ever folk song, "Devonside". Hungry music that should be force fed to those who have not yet discovered their Thompson appetite.

Customer Reviews

masterly piece of work from a true craftsman
As a recent convert I came across this album as a gift from a friend but was energised by the drive and off-centred values behind such songs as "Teared Stained Letter" and "A Posioned Heart and A Twisted Memory". Thompson's strong voice and brilliant guitar work feature again in the dramatic songs "Devonside" and "How I Wanted To" which also include scintillating arrangements for mandolin, violin,cello to create a magical an ethereal climax to the recording.A worthy addition to any collection of modern folk music - recommended

His best?
Given the number of reviews given to third rate dross, I'm surprised this is only the second in 8 years of this treasure.
RT was at his best on this, with great production and a terrific band. great songs well delivered, a good place to begin the worship of a neglected hero. I play this a lot, all these years later. Rock on.