Search - Richard Thompson :: The Old Kit Bag

Fig Leaves & Tourniquets

02/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OLD KIT BAG may not be the most groundbreaking record of Richard Thompson's career but "Gethsemane" is strong start to a vital album. The song might just prove to be another Thompson classic, the kind of thing that can bring down the house live. Unlike previous releases, the production does it's best to keep out of the way. The sparseness of it all allowing for Thompson's signature guitar to play howling wind round the gallows humor of his lyrics."Jealous Words" is vintage "oil" & vineger Thompson while passionately brooding epics like "A Love You Can't Survive" are likely to send a shiver down your spine. For fans of Thompson's folksier side, OLD KIT BAG could be considered a return to form. The dulcimer driven, "One Door Opens" being a highlight. "I've Got No Right To Have It All" is as gorgeous as it gets and the gleefully ominous, "Pearly Jim" conjures up the glories of Thompson's FULL HOUSE days. The world weary closer, "Happy days & Auld Lang Syne" gives "Waltzing's For Dreamers" a run for it's money, ending the album on a dutifully maudlin note.So, OLD KIT BAG may not be the most ambitious record of his career, but he sticks to his guns. As uncomprimising as ever, Thompson delievers the goods on this one. Long time fans will be far from disappointed."

RT does it again...

William M. Feagin | Upstate New York, USA | 03/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...as brilliant and biting as ever, and no disappointment for the longtime Thompson fan. I had the good luck of picking this one up in England when it was released at the beginning of February, and I can say conclusively that The Old Kit Bag truly stands with Thompson's best albums (e.g. Bright Lights, Shoot Out the Lights, Rumor and Sigh). It is a very stripped down work--just a trio, with the occasional backing vocals--but with all of the intensity of the aforementioned albums. "A Love You Can't Survive" is my favorite track--RT howls in despair while cutting you to the marrow with his stinging Strat leads. While I understand the American version and the Japanese release contain (or will contain) bonus tracks, I can't imagine what else would be necessary to make this album worth every penny you pay for it. Get it *yesterday*."

A lesser Thompson effort, but still definitely worthwhile

woburnmusicfan | Woburn, MA United States | 06/23/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Richard Thompson is probably my favorite musician. I've seen him live 8 times, and (counting his Fairport output and side projects) I've got over 30 of his albums. As his first studio album in four years, I'm predisposed to love this CD, and I've been listening to it a lot over the last month and a half, trying to do just that. But I keep coming to the same conclusion: this is one of RT's weaker albums, definitely good but well below his usual transcendant level. I like it just fine, but I don't love it.Thompson is one of the world's best songwriters, but though his lyrics are as strong as usual here, the music isn't. RT has never repeated himself so much musically. The verse of "A Love You Can't Survive" sounds like "Woods of Darney", the verse of "Outside of the Inside" sounds like "Cold Kisses", the overlong "First Breath" is a slowed-down "Mingus Eyes" crossed with "Ghosts in the Wind", and so on. The album rocks less than RT usually does, and any rock intensity has been drained out by John Chelew's tepid production and Michael Jerome's lackluster drumming. (Listen to a random minute of this CD and "Mock Tudor" and the difference in intensity jumps out at you.) Throughout the album, the rhythm guitar parts are mixed louder than the drums, vocals, or even guitar solos. On the two most rocking songs, "Pearly Jim" and "I'll Tag Along", the drums are mixed LOWER than on the other tracks. Those who prefer Thompson's folk side may like this album BECAUSE it has less rock. There are no saxes, shawms, or Mitchell Froom keyboards here; instead RT plays multiple guitar tracks.While there are no standout tracks here (nothing remotely on the order of "Bathsheba Smiles"), there is also nothing really bad. "Gethsemane" is the best track, charting the journey from happy youth to the desperation of middle age. "I'll Tag Along" and "Pearly Jim" are good rockers that will probably sound great live. "One Door Opens" has a happy Celtic feel with RT playing mandolin and dulcimer. You get the usual RT brokenhearted lover ("I've Got No Right to Have It All") and the usual brokenhearted lover hopeful to try again ("Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen"). It should be noted that over the last 20 years, Thompson has developed into a pretty good singer; his wails at the end of "A Love You Can't Survive" are the best part of the song. For a limited time, there is a 2nd CD included with two live tracks from RT's "1000 Years of Popular Music" show: the 16-century Italian song "So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo" is very good, while a cover of Prince's "Kiss" is only a curiosity. This is a 3-1/2 star album; many musicians will never make an album this good, but for Thompson it's one of his lesser works.(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)"