There really are times when life just becomes such a tight knot of trials that one can but agree with Richard Thompson when he sings,
'you can't win'. Of course, what he then does in terms of guitar shredding beauty, rage and sheer human feeling also tells us that the fight is still worth it. 'Can't Win' was originally from his 1988 album,
Amnesia but his live versions over the years have taken this song into another stratosphere altogether. When I last saw RT live back in 2011, I was overjoyed to find 'Can't Win' back in the set list and what he did with his guitar in Cardiff that night was just incredible. Here he is in Glasgow on the same tour doing something very similar. If you've not witnessed this for yourself, please give a little time to be taken on a tour of artistic brilliance.
Richard has a new album due in a few days; it's called
Electric, which sounds promising for all of us fans of his guitar freak-outs. He's also touring and will be coming to a venue near you, I'm sure. For various reasons, I haven't got myself a ticket this time, so I'm sure I'll miss a treat! If you see him, let me know what it was like - as if I need to ask.
Can't Win (live, 2011)
3 comments:
One day in the late 1990's, I was playing one of those Richard Thompson fan-club produced live albums in my shop. The song was 'Shoot Out the Lights' with a wonderful, huge, epic, Coltranesque, raga of a solo that just went...way, way out there. A customer came over to ask what was playing. I beamed and told him what it was. 'It's bloody rubbish' he said, 'he's playing all the wrong notes.' Sadly it was no Andre Previn/Morecambe & Wise inspired moment of hilarity. I had to bite my lip, tongue and most of my face to stop myself from telling him what I thought of his critical analysis.
This staggering performance reminded me of that customer. It's all down to personal taste I know, and I guess you either get it or you don't. I'm glad I do.
I noticed this yesterday and have listened to a couple of tracks...sound pretty good...will look forward to the full album
TS: 'All the wrong notes'! Love it. I made a guess that you may have been spinning the version to be found on 'More Guitar' and popped on the stereo for a reminder: if those are the wrong notes may he be forever wrong and I'll remain wrong with him!
OPC: It's sure to be at least fab.
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