Linda & Richard Thompson
Pour Down Like Silver - Island 1975
Generelly the album is less folk influenced than its predecessors, and many songs have a harder edge. This becomes obvious with the two openers "Streets of Paradise" and "Shame of doing Wrong". The latter with lead vocals by Linda was also recorded by Sandy Denny on her last album "Rendezvous". Both standouts!
"Poor Boys Taken Away" is a more typical Thompson sad country-ballad. Where as the long third track "Night Comes in" is a bluesy thing that gives space for some great guitar-playing from Richard - an impressive live version is among the bonus-tracks. Could be regarded as the title track.
"Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair" is an extremely catchy folk-rock thing with great lead vocals from Linda "Beat the Retreat" is another long track with fine acoustic guitar playing - also included in a live-version. "Hard Luck Stories" is almost as catchy as "Jet Plane" and another Linda lead. "Dimming of the Day" which closed the original album is simply tearbreakingly beautiful. Musically and lycally country ( at its best ). Must become an evergreen!
Another standout performance is the live cover of "Dark End of the Street" originally written by Moman and Penn. This must be the ultimate version!