The Old Kit Bag [DualDisc]

The Old Kit Bag [DualDisc]

Track Listings

1. Gethsemane

2. Jealous Words

3. I'll Tag Along

4. A Love You Can't Survive

5. One Door Opens

6. First Breath

7. She Said It Was Destiny

8. I've Got No Right to Have It All

9. Pearly Jim

10. Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen

11. Outside of the Inside

12. Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
"His best album in nearly a decade…stunning guitar work" - The Sunday Times

He's already achieved more as a songwriter and an instrumentalist than most musicians could in a lifetime. And yet, with the release The Old Kit Bag, Richard Thompson continues to set new standards as a guitarist and storyteller. The album is his twenty fifth since leaving the legendary Fairport Convention and ranks with Rumor And Sigh as one of his best. Still the master of examining life's ironies through song, Thompson chose producer John Chelew (John Hiatt, Five Blind Boys Of Alabama) and a musical trio for The Old Kit Bag. The sparse line up gives additional weight to the insightful lyrics and allows the exceptional guitar work to take center stage.

This special DualDisc edition of The Old Kit Bag includes and exclusive 5.1 surround sound mix of the album by Gary Lux (Robert Cray, Ben Harper, Sting) along with performance videos for the songs "Jealous Words" and "Outside of the Inside" (also in surround sound).

Album Description

Holiday blues comin' on? Well, put a spike in `em! Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet—79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Customer Reviews:

Great set of wartime rarities.......2003-05-14

Spike Jones was the king of the novelty song performers, with hits like "Der Fuehrer's Face" and the parody version of "Sheik of Araby" becoming huge hits during World War II. This is a swell 3-CD set, gathering a full eighty-one of Jones' best tracks from his 1940s heyday, drawn from an extensive archive of radio broadcasts made for the Standard Transcription service. The tightness of his City Slickers band is amply demonstrated in these manic, kookily orchestrated performances. Toots, squonks, blatts and bleats whiz by at lightning speed, as one daffy song after another will delight devoted fans. Amazingly, Jones had the unusual, almost unique ability to perform a repertoire almost entirely made up of comedic material, and yet still be quite listenable and engaging. His jazz chops were hardly in question, and from time to time Jones would dash off a non-novelty ballad or two, just to give the rubes something to think about. Of course, just as often he would perform a song that *sounded* like a straight ballad, but would turn out to be another goof. (One great example of this is the sultry "Serenade To A Jerk," sung in slinky, burlesque tones by Myrtle Horwin.) This collection may seem a little overwhelming, but like his studio recordings, these radio performances have a certain brilliance and joie de vivre about them that will leave you enchanted. Definitely worth checking out!

Cure for the Blues.......2003-04-25

Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet-79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Standard Transcription Collection.......2003-04-12

This collection has remastered material from the large stack of Standard Transcription discs from the early 1940's. There are many songs not recorded on RCA, many on the theme of wartime ("48 Reasons Why"), and the quality is excellent. The packaging is threadbare but this is an essential CD package for true music lovers.

Average customer rating:

A lesser Thompson effort, but still definitely worthwhile
More of RT's Secrets
RT does it again...
Fig Leaves & Tourniquets

The Old Kit Bag
Richard Thompson
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mock Tudor
Rumor and Sigh
Front Parlour Ballads
Sweet Warrior

ASIN: B000083EBJ
Release Date: 2003-03-18

Tracks:

The Haunted Keepsake: Gethsemane
The Haunted Keepsake: Jealous Words
The Haunted Keepsake: I'll Tag Along
The Haunted Keepsake: A Love You Can't Survive
The Haunted Keepsake: One Door Opens
The Haunted Keepsake: First Breath
The Pilgrims Fancy: She Said It Was Destiny
The Pilgrims Fancy: I've Got No Right To Have It All
The Pilgrims Fancy: Pearly Jim
The Pilgrims Fancy: Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen
The Pilgrims Fancy: Outside Of The Inside
The Pilgrims Fancy: Happy Days And Auld Lang Syne

Album Details

USA Release Date is Scheduled for April 2003. His First CD of New Material Since 1999's 'mock Tudor'. Produced by John Chelew (Los Lobos, Blind Boys of Alabama), it was Recorded with a Minimum of Overdubs. Richard is Joined by Danny Thompson on Upright Bass, Michael Jerome Drums &background Vocals and Judith Owen on Background Vocals. After 16 Years on Major Labels, Richard Has Gone the Independent Route with this Title.

Customer Reviews:

A lesser Thompson effort, but still definitely worthwhile.......2003-06-23

Richard Thompson is probably my favorite musician. I've seen him live 8 times, and (counting his Fairport output and side projects) I've got over 30 of his albums. As his first studio album in four years, I'm predisposed to love this CD, and I've been listening to it a lot over the last month and a half, trying to do just that. But I keep coming to the same conclusion: this is one of RT's weaker albums, definitely good but well below his usual transcendant level. I like it just fine, but I don't love it.

Thompson is one of the world's best songwriters, but though his lyrics are as strong as usual here, the music isn't. RT has never repeated himself so much musically. The verse of "A Love You Can't Survive" sounds like "Woods of Darney", the verse of "Outside of the Inside" sounds like "Cold Kisses", the overlong "First Breath" is a slowed-down "Mingus Eyes" crossed with "Ghosts in the Wind", and so on. The album rocks less than RT usually does, and any rock intensity has been drained out by John Chelew's tepid production and Michael Jerome's lackluster drumming. (Listen to a random minute of this CD and "Mock Tudor" and the difference in intensity jumps out at you.) Throughout the album, the rhythm guitar parts are mixed louder than the drums, vocals, or even guitar solos. On the two most rocking songs, "Pearly Jim" and "I'll Tag Along", the drums are mixed LOWER than on the other tracks. Those who prefer Thompson's folk side may like this album BECAUSE it has less rock. There are no saxes, shawms, or Mitchell Froom keyboards here; instead RT plays multiple guitar tracks.

While there are no standout tracks here (nothing remotely on the order of "Bathsheba Smiles"), there is also nothing really bad. "Gethsemane" is the best track, charting the journey from happy youth to the desperation of middle age. "I'll Tag Along" and "Pearly Jim" are good rockers that will probably sound great live. "One Door Opens" has a happy Celtic feel with RT playing mandolin and dulcimer. You get the usual RT brokenhearted lover ("I've Got No Right to Have It All") and the usual brokenhearted lover hopeful to try again ("Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen"). It should be noted that over the last 20 years, Thompson has developed into a pretty good singer; his wails at the end of "A Love You Can't Survive" are the best part of the song. For a limited time, there is a 2nd CD included with two live tracks from RT's "1000 Years of Popular Music" show: the 16-century Italian song "So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo" is very good, while a cover of Prince's "Kiss" is only a curiosity. This is a 3-1/2 star album; many musicians will never make an album this good, but for Thompson it's one of his lesser works.

(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)

More of RT's Secrets.......2003-04-20

I read a Richard Thompson interview in the last year in which he remarked that he played different, "more Islamic" things at home than he played for the public. Old Kit Bag is somehow more intimate even than the live duets with son Teddy Thompson on Celtschmerz; it may be a glimpse into the maestro's more personal musical world. Certainly he doesn't hold back. His vocals range from pained moans to open-throated tromboning that could call a whole city to prayer. His guitar work, always clean and clever, is offhandedly craftsmanlike here, as if he's playing not for the paying customer, not even for posterity, but as if nobody is listening.

So listen.

RT does it again..........2003-03-22

...as brilliant and biting as ever, and no disappointment for the longtime Thompson fan. I had the good luck of picking this one up in England when it was released at the beginning of February, and I can say conclusively that The Old Kit Bag truly stands with Thompson's best albums (e.g. Bright Lights, Shoot Out the Lights, Rumor and Sigh). It is a very stripped down work--just a trio, with the occasional backing vocals--but with all of the intensity of the aforementioned albums. "A Love You Can't Survive" is my favorite track--RT howls in despair while cutting you to the marrow with his stinging Strat leads. While I understand the American version and the Japanese release contain (or will contain) bonus tracks, I can't imagine what else would be necessary to make this album worth every penny you pay for it. Get it *yesterday*.

Fig Leaves & Tourniquets.......2003-02-22

OLD KIT BAG may not be the most groundbreaking record of Richard Thompson's career but "Gethsemane" is strong start to a vital album. The song might just prove to be another Thompson classic, the kind of thing that can bring down the house live.

Unlike previous releases, the production does it's best to keep out of the way. The sparseness of it all allowing for Thompson's signature guitar to play howling wind round the gallows humor of his lyrics.

"Jealous Words" is vintage "oil" & vineger Thompson while passionately brooding epics like "A Love You Can't Survive" are likely to send a shiver down your spine. For fans of Thompson's folksier side, OLD KIT BAG could be considered a return to form. The dulcimer driven, "One Door Opens" being a highlight. "I've Got No Right To Have It All" is as gorgeous as it gets and the gleefully ominous, "Pearly Jim" conjures up the glories of Thompson's FULL HOUSE days. The world weary closer, "Happy days & Auld Lang Syne" gives "Waltzing's For Dreamers" a run for it's money, ending the album on a dutifully maudlin note.

Tracks:

Gethsemane
Jealous Words
I'll Tag Along
A Love You Can't Survive
One Door Opens
First Breath
She Said It Was Destiny
I've Got No Right to Have It All
Pearly Jim
Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen
Outside of the Inside
Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne

Album Description

"His best album in nearly a decade…stunning guitar work" - The Sunday Times

Customer Reviews:

Great music, but the sound is one of the best........2006-12-18

If you have an audio system with DVD-Audio, hi-fi speakers and a excellent power don't miss this one. I know what I'm saying. Period.

Average customer rating:

The Old Kit Bag

Manufacturer: Cooking Vinyl/Koch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Mock Tudor

ASIN: B000A2970C
Release Date: 2003-12-17

Average customer rating:

The Old Kit Bag
Richard Thompson
Manufacturer: Japanese Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00008L3RB
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

Gethsemane
Jealous Words
I'll Tag Along
Love You Can't Survive
One Door Opens
First Breath
She Said It Was Destiny
I've Got No Right to Have It All
Pearly Jim
Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen
Outside of the Inside
Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne
So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo

Average customer rating:

The Old Kit Bag
Richard Thompson
Manufacturer: Japanese Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000084TOZ
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

Gethsemane
Jealous Words
I'll Tag Along
Love You Can't Survive
One Door Opens
First Breath
She Said It Was Destiny
I've Got No Right to Have It All
Pearly Jim
Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen
Outside of the Inside
Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne
So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo

Album Description

Japanese edition of the British folk-rock icon's 2003 album includes 1 bonus track 'So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo' (listed inside on the Japanese liner notes only). Cooking Vinyl.

Average customer rating:

In which Richard provides ...
The Best of the Best
Still vital after all these years.
A mixed bag--but essential Richard Thompson
Just another winner from RT

Old Kit Bag
Richard Thompson
Manufacturer: Cooking Vinyl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mock Tudor
Front Parlour Ballads
Hand of Kindness
Rumor and Sigh
Sweet Warrior

ASIN: B00008XRXX
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

Gethsemane
Jealous Words
I'll Tag Along
A Love You Can't Survive
Open Door Breathes
First Breath
She Said it was Destiny
I've Got No Right to Have it All
Pearly Jim
Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen
Outside of the Inside
Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne

Tracks:

So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo (Orazio Vecchi, Arr. R. Thompson)
Kiss (Prince)
Richard Thompson BBC Documentary Footage

Amazon.com

After a string of slick albums that de-emphasized his folk-rock past, The Old Kit Bag marks a return to Thompson's indie-label roots. Produced by John Chelew (John Hiatt, Blind Boys of Alabama), it was recorded quickly with a minimum of overdubs and just a handful of musicians (double-bassist Danny Thompson, drummer Michael Jerome, and background vocalist Judith Owen). Fortunately, this spare approach serves Thompson well because he's such a strong and varied songwriter plus a remarkably distinctive guitarist. Longtime fans will likely gravitate to the musical equivalents of comfort food--the weepy ballad "Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne," the revved-up rocker "I'll Tag Along," and the brooding melancholy of "First Breath." Yet subsequent listens reveal the subtler charms of a gorgeous jazz-pop ballad, "I've Got No Right to Have It All," and the righteous anger of "Outside of the Inside," on which Thompson, a devout Muslim, attacks the moral emptiness of religious fanaticism. Thirty-five years after his debut with Fairport Convention, Thompson proves that he's yet to exhaust his store of ideas or his will to challenge himself and others. --Keith Moerer

Album Description

Thompson is one of the master musicians & storytellers of the 60s British rock scene. Seminal releases with Fairport Convention & 30+ years of solo albums & assorted collaborations (Zeppelin, Hendrix, Floyd, Bonnie Raitt, etc.) mark an eclectic & uncompromising career. This, his first studio record since 1999, is an intimate, smoky album of narrative songs, recorded as a trio with minimal overdubs, & allowing him to show off his guitar playing. Includes a free bonus disc with 2 exclusive audio tracks 'So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo' & 'Kiss' (Prince) plus a 2 minute 40 second Quicktime clip taken from the BBC documentary on Richard entitled 'A Solitary Life'. Cooking Vinyl. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

In which Richard provides ..........2005-12-09

... a lesson for any guitarist, in any genre, just how good you can be if you're superbly talented and play your heart out over 4 decades. His work on "Jealous Words" is simply blistering.

And if you're equally fond (as I am) of RT's slower, more melancholy moods, then his latest release "Front Parlour Ballads" provides once again. The opening track refers to an Air New Zealand hostess, for heaven's sake! There's a memory or two there...

The Best of the Best.......2005-03-12

While "Mock Tudor" before was stunning and probably (as with RT everyone has a different opinion) his best album to date, "Old Kit Bag" might just be the "Best Album" ever made to date.

For a man that has been part of over 20 4-5 star albums either solo, duo or group this is just another chapter in his storied career. He sings better as each album comes out and the song-writing is unparalleled in music, especially from anyone that has put out 25+ albums. How does he keep getting better.

Buy this album, buy "Mock Tudor" just spread the word RT is unmatched in music today and for all time. That he is not the most famous musician in the world is a cruel injustice.

Still vital after all these years........2005-02-18

There is simply no-one in the British music scene (and very few outside it) with the capacity to produce such an exciting and powerful record after so many years. He has never made a bad record, but this has to be one of his very best. A very important contribution is made here by the wonderful Judith Owens, whose highly distinctive voice is a perfect compliment to Thompson's own. I've had this CD for nearly two years now, and still frequently give it my undivided attention. Music just doesn't get much better than this.

A mixed bag--but essential Richard Thompson.......2004-12-10

Heard "Gethsemine", "Outside of the Inside", and a couple of others live before this CD came out. I was awed. Thompson is impressive on record, but live he's amazing. There were times I would swear there were two people playing that guitar--and his vocals are always powerful and inspired.

"Gethsemine" opens up the set with a rock beat. It's an anthem to youth and making life count.

The first concert I heard "Outside of the Inside" was October 2001. RT dedicated the song to the Taliban and had the audience's full attention. It was on University of Texas' campus and a lot of us were afraid we were going to war. The song made my hair stand on end.

"A love you can't survive" is quiet. Thompson really projects the tiredness in this song.

Definitely a must for Richard Thompson collectors!

Just another winner from RT.......2004-11-22

More folky then recent albums Richard Thompson delivers another collection of tunes that the whole world should be appreciating instead of listening to what their told like good little obediant consumers. The album's sound is sparse with just RT's guitar along with bass, drum and a smattering of traditional acoustic instruments. "Gethsemane", "Jealous Words", and "I'll tag Along" can stand next to any songs RT has ever commited to CD and will undoubtedly be concert favs for the future. For lovers of RT's guitar playing there's plenty of wobbly solos and tasty licks to savor here, too. Still an uncompromising songwriter, Richard Thompson looks to be still drawing interesting and totally original songs from a deep well. Lets hope it doesn't run dry anytime soon.

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