Acoustic Classics is a collection of newly recorded, timeless Richard Thompson songs, featuring 14 tracks culled from his 40 plus years in music. The new album contains reimagined and refined versions of some of his best work as a songwriter including 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight', 'Dimming of the Day', '1952 Vincent Black Lighting' and 'Beeswing'.

While some of these tracks are essential purchases it's a shame that no one thought to point out to Thompson that maybe... just maybe... he should get guest vocalists to join him on each song. Thompson may be an incredible song writer and guitarist, but singing is not on his list of saleable skills.

When you've heard Linda Thompson singing 'Dimming of the Day' on the 1975 album Pour Down Like Silver and the likes of Mary Black covering it years later, Richard Thompson's rendition on this album murders any ounce of beauty that the vocals should have delivered. Singing in tune is not part of the plan here, in fact you'll probably spend a great deal of time wincing in pain and a little embarrassment for a truly gifted musician, but bloody terrible singer.

It's a difficult album to review because I want to love it... I want to give it critical praise, for these are beautiful, well crafted songs. Unfortunately, Thompson butchers almost every single one of them.

3

Nick Smithson