Richard Thompson: Electric
New West Records
At the risk of stating the obvious, Richard Thompson has made another great Richard Thompson album. The prolific singer/guitarist began making amazing records since the ’60s with Brit-folk legends Fairport Convention, but his lengthy solo career has been criticized lately as being a bit formulaic. Stepping out of his comfort zone, Thompson went to Nashville and collaborated with Americana guru Buddy Miller on Electric, and the pair have broken some new ground. Working in a basic rock trio format with a few choice guests, Thompson still explores his Celtic influences, but takes it a bit further under Miller’s guidance. The sweet guitar on “Salford Sunday” is vintage RT, and garage number “Straight and Narrow” flat out rocks. Jolly good. (5 out of 5 stars)