I ve been collecting LPs since 1968. Amassed over 15,000 since then. Main collection numbers around 3K with a secondary collection of around 8K the rest are duplicates I m selling off on a gradual basis. I pride myself on giving accurate gradings.
Location: United KingdomMember since: 08 Aug, 2005
"SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS" (1982) :- On a par with the first outing("Bright Lights"), this, the last of their 6 joint efforts, is a masterpiece of quintessential English song writing, guitar playing & singing. Often quoted as a testimony to Richard & Linda's marital break-up, the songs were, in fact written quite a time (first recorded with Gerry Rafferty in late 1980) before these troubled times. Prophetic perhaps, or, maybe just coincidence, the songs mirror difficult relationship scenarios none-the-less.
All 8 tracks are great, but my personal favourites are "Walking On A Wire"(biting vocals & fantastic guitar); the title track (Thompson's response to Russia's invasion of Afghanistan in 1979) with it's brilliant guitar solo & "Wall Of Death" (the songwriter records fond childhood memories of seeing this at Hampstead fair, where a motor cyclist rode inside a giant cylinder, held up purely by his speed) which is just perfect in all respects. I really rate Richard Thompson on all his albums, but the one's made with Linda have an extra special dimension that brings out the best in his songwriting & his phenomenal guitar playing.
When you consider that this record signalled the break-up of this duo, it is ironic that it also resulted in Linda being feted as the best female singer of 1982 by TIME magazine & ROLLING STONE. "SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS" was also the first (& last !) commercial success for R. & L., selling 150,000+ copies around the world.
"SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS" appears in the VIRGIN ALL-TIME TOP 1000 ALBUMS. Ranked number 9 in ROLLING STONE's 100 Best Albums of the 80's.
BUY IT; Every home should have a copy.