Richard Thompson - 'Still'

Posted by: J.N. on 05 August 2015

Our Richard is back with another magnificent set of wrist-slashers and tales of love gone bad. Oh those delicious almost discordant guitar solos. One kinda knows where most guitar solos are going, but not RT's, which wrong-step us time and again.

 

Only he could get away with rhyming 'nunnery' with 'fun of me'. Splendid stuff from start to finish. The second bonus CD is good too.

 

Every picture tells a story.

 

 

Yup; the recording/mastering is pants. Situation normal for a new release, but I was lovin' it off my iPhone whilst walking this afternoon. I'll just have to put up with it sounding mid-fi indoors.

 

Underrated national treasure or wot?

 

John.

 

 

Posted on: 05 August 2015 by SAT

+1 re national treasure. Great live too. Such a shame this and his previous release, Electric, are so badly recorded, I just bought the 2x45 vinyl, a triumph of hope over experience.

Posted on: 07 August 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

For me Richard Thompson was best back in the days of Fairport Convention.. I have not really got on with his solo work.. However I can relate to poor recording / production, and folk musicians seem to polarise on having outstanding recording and production to down right appalling.. For me Bellowhead really manage to screw up most of the music they record.. If I were them, I really would get a new production engineer.

Simon

 

Posted on: 07 August 2015 by tonym
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

For me Richard Thompson was best back in the days of Fairport Convention.. I have not really got on with his solo work.. However I can relate to poor recording / production, and folk musicians seem to polarise on having outstanding recording and production to down right appalling.. For me Bellowhead really manage to screw up most of the music they record.. If I were them, I really would get a new production engineer.

Simon

 

I didn't find "Still" as bad as "Electric" which I also regrettably bought on vinyl and played the once.

 

You're right about Bellowhead Simon; it's a real shame because I think they're a great band.

Posted on: 07 August 2015 by Cdb

Well, I do agree with John about Richard T - I'm a long term fan of his work from FC, through to the albums with Linda T, and then solo. A fascinating body of recorded work and he has been an amazing and varied live performer for many years now. 

 

But yes I agree about the recording quality, not to mention the cover artwork! I didn't bother getting Still on vinyl after the Electric experience.

 

Bellowhead: I am reassured by Simon and Tony's comments on their recording SQ - I thought it was perhaps just me. It's a real shame given what a great live band they are.

Clive

 

Posted on: 07 August 2015 by BigH47

RT can do no wrong for me. I've found anything of his to dislike.

As to the recording of Electric, I just apply my don't let it me bother principle and presto it sounds great.

Like a lot of so called problems like touching cables, etc etc if you want it to bother you then it will.

 

 

Not got my copy of Still yet.

Posted on: 08 August 2015 by tonym
Originally Posted by BigH47:

RT can do no wrong for me. I've found anything of his to dislike.

As to the recording of Electric, I just apply my don't let it me bother principle and presto it sounds great.

Like a lot of so called problems like touching cables, etc etc if you want it to bother you then it will.

 

 

Not got my copy of Still yet.

Yes, I tend to to the same Howard. No point in agonising too long over poor recordings but wouldn't it be nice if the sound quality was better? I wonder if anyone's written to Richard Thompson about it?

 

You're in for a real treat with Still.

Posted on: 08 August 2015 by BigH47

I'll ask him in September.   

 

I must have had yet another senior moment, I have had the CD for a couple of weeks now and think it is really good. I didn't honestly have any problem with the recording, as I said I tend to apply internal filters.

 

He is like JJ Cale more of the same but somehow different, yes he has a style , but one very few can re-create.

Posted on: 08 August 2015 by tonym

I forgot, I'm seeing him in September too! I'm sure he'll be pleased to chat about the quality of his recordings with me...

Posted on: 08 August 2015 by J.N.

We must have some young audiophiles hereabouts who; principally listening to new popular music, will be inured to mediocre recording/mastering quality.

 

A 1989 CD of Melissa Etheridge 'Brave and Crazy' (original USA release) arrived in the post today. Great stuff, and it's laughable how good it sounds compared to current releases of popular music.

 

As you say Howard; with the likes of RT's excellent 'Still', one has to switch off one's inner Hi-Fi nerd and just enjoy the music. It sounds fab coming off my iPhone into £30 Sennheiser PX100 'phones.

 

Go figure.

 

John.

 

 

Posted on: 08 August 2015 by Bert Schurink
Originally Posted by J.N.:

We must have some young audiophiles hereabouts who; principally listening to new popular music, will be inured to mediocre recording/mastering quality.

 

A 1989 CD of Melissa Etheridge 'Brave and Crazy' (original USA release) arrived in the post today. Great stuff, and it's laughable how good it sounds compared to current releases of popular music.

 

As you say Howard; with the likes of RT's excellent 'Still', one has to switch off one's inner Hi-Fi nerd and just enjoy the music. It sounds fab coming off my iPhone into £30 Sennheiser PX100 'phones.

 

Go figure.

 

John.

 

 

U2 was also bad...

Posted on: 08 August 2015 by BigH47

U2 was also bad...

...and not in a good way? 

Posted on: 08 August 2015 by dayjay
Originally Posted by BigH47:

U2 was also bad...

...and not in a good way? 

No, that would make them sick, man