Sweet Warrior

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0805520030328 Label: Proper Manufacturer: Proper Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Proper Release Date: 2007-05-28 Studio: Proper
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Editorial Reviews: Back in the '80s and '90s, Richard Thompson could be depended upon to release a well-crafted collection of Celtic-influenced folk-rock every few years. But when he left Capitol after 1999's Mock Tudor, Thompson headed off on side projects, all of typically high quality, but not the solo albums his established cult expected. Those fans can now rejoice, because on Sweet Warrior Thompson roars back with his first electric set of originals since 2003, and it's a winner. As the disc's title implies, he revisits the familiar territory of love as a battlefield in these 14 originals. The concept is emphasized by a liner photo of the singer/songwriter in army gear and camouflage flanked by two beautiful women planting kisses on either cheek. Supported by longtime backing cohorts, the guitarist adds to his six-string talents with occasional mandolin, autoharp, accordion, and even organ, all used as icing on a cake of tunes that further refine his established style. Perhaps the most startling song is the viciously anti-war "Dad's Going to Kill Me," about a soldier stationed in Baghdad (the "Dad" of the title), wondering if he will survive another day. "Guns are the Tongues" finds Thompson telling the tragic tale of a young man enticed by a woman's charms ending up as a suicide-bombing terrorist. Thompson's dramatic guitar solos are kept on low boil, occasionally bubbling up but never hogging the spotlight. They are, along with his distinctive vocals, actors in a play of characteristically classy tunes that will thrill Thompson's fans, who have been waiting for just such a set of literate and challenging music from a musician who never delivers less. --Hal Horowitz
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent Comment: Never listened to Mr Thompson before Jules appearance. Now can't get enough of him. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT ALBUM. Customer Rating: Summary: National Treasure Comment: The Elder Statesman of Folk Rock is Back. A National Treasure If Ever There Was ! The 14 songs in Mr Thompson's newest album 'Sweet Warrior' find the man and his guitar in fine fettle and fighting fit. Solid writing. Solid performances. Solid production. Getting the picture. Bitter, angry, wry, funny, affectionate. From the four-square rocker 'Mr Stupid', through the gently reflective 'Take Care The Road You Choose' and gently lilting ska of 'Francesca', to the lacerating anti-war sentiments of 'Guns and Tongues' and 'Dad's Gonna Kill Me', this is music of a self-assured master of his craft firing on all cylinders. Grown up stuff and all the richer for it. Inimitable and unmissable. Highly recommended. Customer Rating: Summary: Superb, intelligent, witty, beautiful music Comment: Before listening to this album, I'd never heard a Richard Thompson solo album before, so I approached Sweet Warrior with no pre-conceptions other than knowing that he was a well-respected guitarist and that he'd once been in Fairport Convention. My only real point of reference was a performance on the BBC's Later... With Jools Holland which had impressed. It could be said, therefore, that Richard Thompson has been my surprise package of the year because this album completely blew me away. Brilliant music, fantastic lyrics, absolutely breathtaking musicianship - a folk-rock masterpiece. A mixture of intricate, musically complex folk-based rockers (the amazing and really quite funny album opener Needle And Thread and the sensational Poppy Red), some insanely brilliant rock 'n' roll (Mr. Stupid, Bad Monkey), a handful of tender ballads (Take Care The Road You Choose, Too Late To Come Fishing, She Sang Angels To Rest) as well as the exceptional, fiercely anti-war song Dad's Gonna Kill Me and the superb tale of a man enticed by a woman into committing acts of terrorism (Guns Are The Tongues), Sweet Warrior is a multifaceted, perpetually fascinating listen which oozes class, integrity and intelligence from each lyric, note and chord change. If the quality of the songs didn't waver (only slightly) towards the end of the album, this could easily have been my album of the year - in fact, each time I listen to Sweet Warrior, it actually feels like it is. Truly exceptional. Customer Rating: Summary: A five star album Comment: Though this album was released in May, I didn't buy a copy till October. Partly because I'd enjoyed " The Old Kit Bag " as much as anything I'd heard by Richard Thompson ( I'm no RT expert )but found "Front Parlour Ballads" difficult to get into. Having now listened to this album for the last three months I'd recommend it to anyone interested in hearing Richard Thompson. The album did appear on many of the media critics "best albums" lists for 2007. But not usually near the top. I now wonder if this low placing was due to the critics playing the album a few times - then moving on to other new releases for review? Richard Thompson's music always rewards repeated listening. In my case usually demands it, and this album gets better and better each time I hear it. In fact, I think I'll go and dig out "Front Parlour Ballads" again. Customer Rating: Summary: His best set for years Comment: OK, Richard Thompson is a hero of mine. I think there is no finer giutarist on the plant. But, to be honest, he doesn't always hit top form, though his second-best is better than almost anyone else. Just before the Millennium, Mock Tudor was released and I thought it was fantastic. Eight years later, another classic appears. That's about par for the course. Sweet Warrior is full of the usual themes - bleak humour, vengeful ex-partners, death and destruction, but all interspersed with haunting musical themes from English folk, jazz and Celtic traditions. Though he's not necessarily the bloke to spend a jolly evening with at a party, his artistic output is beyond excellent, and this is him at the top of his game. More Reviews