Although he hasn't
released an album since
Mock Turtle in 1999 the
masterful Richard
Thompson has produced
one of the best albums
of the year with The Old
Kit Bag. In fact there
are several tracks on
this organic sounding
record (it was recorded
mostly live in Los
Angeles with minimal
overdubs). that hark
back to his beautiful
mid 1970's period.
Thompson retains his
favourite sideman Danny
Thompson on double bass
and also makes use of
some Linda Thompsonesque
backing vocals from
Judith Owen.
Right from the opening
track Gethsemene
Thompson lets you know
where his mind is at,
Thompson's lyrics have
always been top notch
and this album is no
exception with lines
like "war whoops
and secrets under the
trees, estuary smells
coming up on the breeze,
perfect, endless days
like these" and
on the song She Said It
Was Destiny Thomspon has
undoubtedly written a
classic pop song - this
is great funky little
number with tongue in
cheek lyrics like
"Is this the
togetherness she meant -
so cosy, I thought we'd
share a continent - so
cosy, I thought love's
passions really, would
be more touchy
feely".
The Old Kit Bag is
Thompson on top form and
incidentally the title
refers to that English
thing of carrying on in
the face of adversity
and comes from the world
war one song "Pack
Up Your Troubles in Your
Old Kit Bag and Smile,
Smile Smile".
