Richard and Linda Thompson “Shoot Out The Lights”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#671 in the Series) is Richard and Linda Thompson, Shoot Out the Lights.
I love year-end “best of” write-ups. I don’t know why, since like we’ve talked about before, music isn’t a competition unless you’re in high school and playing in a “Battle of the Bands” contest. I guess you could say that all bands are in competition for airplay and sales, but I think you know what I mean.
I remember when Shoot Out the Lights was released in 1982. This album was on just about every list I read. I knew of them, but hadn’t heard much of this record. The same can be said for their previous band, Fairport Convention. I knew more “of them” than I did actually know “about them.”
After reading so much about this album I had to get it. I quickly heard what the pundits were raving about. This was a pretty impressive album. Duh. Yes it was depressing in many ways. You’re actually witnessing a break-up right before your ears but tough times can be great musical inspirations I guess. It definitely was in this case as Richard and Linda share with the listener what they were going through as their semi-high profile marriage was ending.
The two songs that received the most play were the title cut and “Walking on a Wire.” “Wall of Death” is also easily a song that should receive more than just a mention.
Richard’s gifted guitar playing here was produced by Joe Boyd. We’ve written about him when discussing R.E.M. and 10K Maniacs.
Shoot Out the Lights was ranked #24 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Best Albums of the Last Twenty Years. It was ranked #9 on Rolling Stone’s list of the The 100 Greatest Albums of the 80’s. It was also ranked # 333 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest of all time.
Track listing
All songs written by Richard Thompson except as noted.
Side one
- “Don’t Renege on Our Love” – 4:19
- “Walking on a Wire” – 5:29
- “Man in Need” – 3:36
- “Just the Motion” – 6:19
Side two
- “Shoot Out the Lights” – 5:24
- “Back Street Slide” – 4:33
- “Did She Jump or Was She Pushed?” (Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson) – 4:52
- “Wall of Death” – 3:43
Personnel
- Richard Thompson – vocals, lead guitar, accordion, hammered dulcimer
- Linda Thompson – vocals
- Simon Nicol – rhythm guitar
- Dave Pegg – bass on 3 6 7 8
- Pete Zorn – bass on 1 2 4 5, backing vocals
- David Mattacks – drums
Additional personnel
- The Watersons (Norma, Mike, Lal, and Martin Carthy) – backing vocals
- Clive Gregson – backing vocals
- Stephen Corbett – cornet
- Brian Jones – cornet
- Phil Goodwin – tuba
- Stephen Barnett – trombone
- Mark Cutts – trombone
Brilliant album. Richard is a great slinger and Linda’s voice is wonderful. Walking on a Wire is breath taking.