Richard Thompson - Across a Crowded Room

Title: Across a Crowded Room Artist: Richard Thompson Release Date: 2/1985 Re-Released On: 10/25/1990 Label: Polydor Duration: 41:31 UPCs: 042282542120, 042282542144 Genre: Rock Styles: Singer/Songwriter, Psychedelic, Folk-Rock, British Folk, Contemporary Folk, British Folk-Rock Moods: Angst-Ridden, Bittersweet, Brooding, Distraught, Earnest, Sophisticated, Acerbic, Amiable/Good-Natured, Cerebral, Gloomy, Hypnotic, Intimate, Literate, Poignant, Tense/Anxious, Witty, Aggressive, Autumnal, Cathartic, Confident, Cynical/Sarcastic, Elegant, Energetic, Ethereal, Passionate, Provocative, Quirky, Reflective, Rousing, Theatrical, Wry, Boisterous, Complex, Irreverent, Somber, Uncompromising, Bitter, Calm/Peaceful, Humorous, Restrained, Rollicking, Spiritual, Intense, Melancholy, Ominous, Organic, Plaintive, Sad, Wistful Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 5 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. When the Spell Is Broken
2. You Don't Say
3. I Ain't Going to Drag My Feet No More
4. Shine on Love [*]
5. Ghosts in the Wind
6. Fire in the Engine Room
7. Walking Through a Wasted Land
8. Little Blue Number
9. She Twists the Knife Again
10. Love in a Faithless Country

Year Type Label Catalog # 1990 CD Polydor 825421-2

Across a Crowded Room [BGO]

Richard Thompson's 1985 album Across A Crowded Room (his first album for a major label since Sunnyvista in 1979) stylistically picked up where his previous set, Hand Of Kindness, had left off, and while it didn't break much in the way of new ground, it also found Thompson doing plenty of what he does best -- writing great songs and playing a lot of electric guitar. Across A Crowded Room takes a slightly more subtle approach than Hand Of Kindness; the arrangements have been pared back a bit (there are fewer horn charts, and John Kirkpatrick's accordion is sadly absent), and Joe Boyd's production is roomier and more atmospheric, making the most of the album's broader soundscape. But for the most part Richard Thompson's formula remained the same here, and if that makes it sound like he's just treading water, that might be the case for an artist less consistently remarkable. "When The Spell Is Broken" and "Ghosts In The Wind" find Thompson revisiting his favorite theme, love gone awry (the latter boasting a beautifully delicate, ethereal arrangement), while "Fire In The Engine Room" and "Little Blue Number" are unusually hard-rocking numbers with Thompson laying into the songs fast and frantic. And "Love In A Faithless Country" is a striking sketch of love under difficult circumstances that recalls nothing so much as George Orwell's -1984. There aren't many musicians who could make an album as strong as Across A Crowded Room and have it sound like business as usual, but given the consistent strength of Richard Thompson's body of work, this set sounds fairly typical ... and typically splendid. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alan Dunn Accordion Bruce Lynch Bass Chris Dickie Assistant Engineer Christine Collister Vocals (Background) Clive Gregson Vocals (Background) Dave Mattacks Percussion, Keyboards, Drums David Bitelli Sax (Baritone) Dennis Keeley Photography Donato Cinicolo III Photography Greg Jackman Mixing Jack Nuber Engineer Jack Skinner Mastering Jerry Boys Mixing Joe Boyd Producer Pete Thomas Sax (Tenor) Phil Barnes Vocals (Background) Phil Smee Photography, Cover Design Philip Pickett Recorder, Shawm, Crumhorn, Sopranino Recorder, Recorder (Soprano) Richard Thompson Vocals, Guitar Simon Nicol Guitar (12 String), Guitar Soultanas Vocals (Background)