There’s a pattern to the release of Richard Thompson albums, every 3 years sees a new studio album, but the difference this time is that it’s released on the small, but significant Cooking Vinyl label, and is a little more restrained and open sounding than his recent material.
Rather than a large backing band, the whole album utilises just four musicians, Richard himself playing acoustic & electric guitars, accordion and mandolin, Danny Thompson with some fantastic bass throughout, and Michael Jerome and Judith Owen providing drums/percussion and backing vocals respectively. This is an approach that works really well, it’s a tremendously dynamic album ranging from slow, quiet acoustic numbers (‘One Door Opens’, ‘First Breath’) to rockier songs (‘Jealous Words, ‘Pearly Jim’), but when things do warm up the musical detail and subtlety is still present, with nothing being lost in a wall of sound. The inclusion of a female vocalist is another element that really works – she adds an extra dimension to many of the songs, especially on ‘Jealous Words’ where she brings contrast to Thompson’s vocals and guitar work.
Out of the 12 tracks, at least 8 could be picked out as highlights, the opener ‘Gethsemane’ dominates the disc, but ‘A Love You Can’t Survive’ and ‘Word Unspoken Sight Unseen’ are equally excellent, and these 3 songs demonstrate the full range of songs on the disc.
Without doubt Richard Thompson is one of the finest writers around, everything seems effortless, and it’s musically and lyrically intelligent and full of great melodies.
Like all his albums ‘Old Kit Bag’ reveals its talents over time and through repeated listens, and this a disc well worth the effort.

£12.99