A recurring comparison seems to be the one casting RICHARD THOMPSON as "the English Neil Young". It's quite a valid one, too, if you examine the evidence: large cult followings; vital and vibrant back catalogues with and without famous groups spanning four decades; long-standing interests in Roots musics and instantly recognisable voices which to many are an acquired taste.
Also like Young, Thompson has that indefinable something which ensures that when you've tasted you're hooked and are liable to cut him some slack if he veers off at tangents. But that said, you'll be pleased to hear you won't need to make allowances for "The Old Kit Bag", as it's a fine and wholly complete album that captures Thompson in superb songwriting form throughout.
Recorded in Hollywood with a line-up I'd hesitatingly refer to as a 'power trio', with Thompson (vocals, coruscatingly brilliant guitars), Danny Thompson (supple double bass) and ace steamhammer drummer Michael Jerome, producer John Chelew has captured a fiery live sound with Thompson's vocals close-miked, confident and sounding convincingly like he's in your sitting room with you.
Musically, it's a smashing, accessible set, too. New single "I'll Tag Along" and "She Said It Was Destiny" are two of Richard's catchiest pop songs ever, though with nicely laconic lyrics as usual and the requisitely gorgeous, chiming guitars you'd hope for. "One Door Opens", too, is insanely hooky, though with mandolins and a nagging, Celtic feel replacing the "Rumor & Sigh"-ish feel of the electric guitar-driven songs.
Typically, however, there's so much more on offer here. For instance, "The Old Kit Bag" pops open via "Gethsemane": an atmospheric rocker with a lasting, anti-war message ("Frozen in your sacrement, derailed in your teens/ Never saw the enemy") that hits home squarely in the present precarious global situation.
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At a separate tangent, there are also tracks like the raucous "Jealous Words" or "Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen", where Richard duets with Judith Owen: in the case of the latter sounding almost like a throwback to Richard and Linda circa "Shoot Out The Lights" with ferocious lyrics and angelic harmonies peppering gritty melodies.
And we haven't even mentioned "First Breath" yet, where the mistily evocative acoustic framework emphasises both the subtle colouring of Danny Thompson's string bass and reminds of Richard's work with Nick Drake. Or alternatively, there's the damning indictment that is "Outside Of The Inside" where even Shakespeare, Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein come in for broadsides. Ulp! Heady gear indeed.
Far from the ragged collection of off-cuts the title may suggest, "The Old Kit Bag" is yet another magnificent statement of intent from one of the finest guitarists and songwriters to have emerged from anyone's generation. Delve in and rummage.
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