ALTROK Ordinals 47

Richard Thompson - The Old Kit Bag (Cooking Vinyl/spinART)
 
Jeff says:
Richard's first album of new material since 1999's "Mock Tudor" and his first since leaving the world of major labels finds him sounding much more like his old self. Recorded in a straighforward, stripped-down manner, with a bare bones band (bass, drums, and backing vocals), he has made what is probably his most endearing album in many years. Without the burden of a major label budget, production and expectations he was afforded the chance to make a record he wanted to make, the way he wanted to make it. While he's avoided any of the "Wow!" guitar solos that appeared on most of his major label records, there is still plenty of amazing guitar playing going on. His songwriting is, as usual, top shelf and with the more subdued recording approach you can actually hear it all. Plenty of hightlights in the 12 tracks on "The Old Kit Bag". Having just seen him play an invite-only, solo acoustic show at the intimate Fez in NYC, I can say that he's in great form. If you get a chance, be sure to catch him on the upcoming tour with the band. And if you're jonesin' for some classic Richard Thompson electric guitar histrionics, be sure to pick up the soundtrack to the NBC program "Crossing Jordan". It includes Richard doing a 9 minute version of Donovan's "Season Of The Witch" complete with some over the top guitar slingin'.
 

(Ordinals appear by the courtesy of Jeff Raspe.)