I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight

On first hearing, the album can be inpenetrable as there is so much going on and one wonders why one has shelled out for it in the first place. After a few listenings, however, a new world of music opens up like a flower. The most powerful song has to be "Calvary Cross" which is sung with a sublime spirtual passion that is not often repeated on modern records.

The album is quirky and left-field and defies modern convention.

Give your ears a revolution and check out this album


BOY, DID I GOOF...   February 10, 2003
adam david (new york)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Back in 2000 when Island released the Richard & Linda Thompson Best of The Island Years Collection, I was looking to whittle down the number of discs I owned and it seemed to be an ideal opportunity in regards to my Richard & Linda Thompson library: highlights from albums I didn't own were represented, material I was always curious about was there, and, in the case of I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight, 7 of the 10 cuts were included. I figured, hey, pick this up and I can get rid of IWTSTBLT as well as Pour Down Like Silver.

Yeah, I know: I also feel like I should be made to sit in the corner wearing a "Dunce" cap.

The Best of IS a superbly constructed compilation - heck, the songs that are on it are even in the same sequence as on this release, so what's the problem?

That this is an ALBUM, in the classic sense. It has an intention, as well as a beginning, a middle, and an end. The songs that are missing aren't the albums highlights, true, but that's only because all the other material is just so superb. "We Sing Halelujah" (not on the greatest hits) is a wonderful song, and "Has He Got a Friend For Me?" and "The Little Beggar Girl" are...well, y'know something, some of these songs are the albums highlights...(damn!)

The rest of the material is some of Thompson's - heck, the WORLD'S - darkest: "Down Where the Drunkards Roll", "Withered and Died", "The End of the Rainbow"...the titles say it all. But they're balanced by the drive and ...hope(?) in other songs like "When I Get to The Border", "Calvary Cross", and the title track. For all of their hope and desire, the songs remain wise and world-weary.

Individually, these all remain great songs, but in the context of this album is where they really make sense. Thompson's guitar work remains a unique talent, and Linda's voice is just superb (I have yet to find a solo Richard album this satisfying, because with his penchant for such dark, unflinching material, a voice as beautiful as Linda's provides excellent counterpoint).

Oh...and a word of warning: I picked this up after I'd gotten Shoot Out the Lights and wanted more of the same: this album is much more folky from songstyle to instrumentation and arrangemtents. It took a while for this album to sink in, but, boy did it ever...

Selling this album (and Pour Down Like Silver)...wow, I can be a real [dunce] sometimes...


Play it loud and enjoy it   January 17, 2003
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

When I first listened to this, I thought : "How come I NEVER heard of those two earlier ?". I mean, not all songs are masterpieces, but four of them certainly are. Withered and died is one of the most moving ballad I've ever heard - Linda's voice sounds very much like heaven to me. Down where the drunkards roll is great too. The Great Valerio is terrifying. The very bleak "the end of the rainbow" is one on the only RT vocals from this period that I really like. The song seems to cast a spell on the listener.
The little beggar girl & Has he got a friend for me may be the two weak tracks on the record, and still .. they are not bad at all....


It's Not All Bright Lights Out There !   July 18, 2002
peter laffey (Hitchin , England .)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

A marvelous album from 1974 chocked full of Richard Thompson's wry observations on life's outsiders . The ten songs are amongst Richard Thompson's best work , and they're enhanced further by the imaginative choice of instruments that are played . The use of the Dulcimer , Anglo Concertina , Krummhorn and Accordion gives this cd a dark quasi-English medieval ambiance that fits hand in glove with the almost Gothic imagery and dark language of the songs . As usual Richard Thompson's guitar playing is inspired , and the underrated Linda Thompson has one of her finest moments on the magnificent " Withered and Died " , surely one of the great songs on " lost love " out there !

I've had this record for twenty years now , and it still keeps getting better , because from time to time I still discover hidden nuances that not only enhances the record but also highlights the depth of this stunning music . Essential !

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