Live at the BBC
Richard Thompson · 2011
231 min · 80 tracks · rock music
A vibrant tapestry of folk-rock storytelling woven with intricate guitar work and heartfelt melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Little Beggar Girl Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight — This track encapsulates the yearning and melancholy that permeates Thompson's songwriting, featuring poignant lyrics set against a backdrop of compelling instrumentation.
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Shoot Out the Lights — A highlight of Thompson's catalog, this song conveys a sense of urgency and narrative depth, showcasing his unique blend of storytelling and musicianship.
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Dimming of the Day — Renowned for its emotional weight, this track exemplifies Thompson's ability to evoke profound feelings through simple yet evocative melodies.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate storytelling through performance
- dynamic exploration with emotional peaks
- for long listening sessions
- engaging narratives that unfold gradually
- vibrant live energy and warmth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, standalone tracks
- seek high-energy dance music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Showcases Thompson's live energy, beloved by dedicated fans for its authenticity.
- Themes
- BBC live sessions· folk-rock storytelling· yearning for brightness
- Career context
- Released in 2011, Live at the BBC showcases Richard Thompson's storied career, highlighting his evolution as a solo artist after his early success with Fairport Convention and the duo partnership with Linda Thompson. At this juncture, he had established himself as a formidable solo performer, known for both his technical prowess and lyrical depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nick Lowe· John Hiatt· Elvis Costello
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 The Little Beggar Girl Start here 3:10
- 2 Dragging the River 2:17
- 3 The Great Valerio 5:04
- 4 The Neasden Hornpipe / The Avebury Particle Accelerator / The Flowing Tide 4:54
- 5 I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight 3:09
- 6 Hokey Pokey 3:13
- 7 Georgie on a Spree 3:38
- 8 I’ll Regret It All in the Morning 3:41
- 9 A Heart Needs a Home 3:45
- 10 Wishing 2:13
- 11 I’m Turning Off a Memory 2:31
- 12 Man in Need 3:32
- 13 Withered and Died 3:25
- 14 New Fangled Flogging Reel / Kerry Reel 2:26
- 15 Shoot Out the Lights 5:22
- 16 It’s Just the Motion 6:19
- 17 Back Street Slide 4:44
- 18 Night Comes In 5:16
- 19 Dimming of the Day 4:06
- 20 Modern Woman 3:11
Disc 2
- 1 She Twists the Knife Again 2:54
- 2 You Don’t Say 3:29
- 3 When the Spell Is Broken 3:42
- 4 The Angels Took My Racehorse Away 4:52
- 5 Valerie 3:31
- 6 Jennie 5:30
- 7 You Don’t Say 4:40
- 8 Fire in the Engine Room 3:25
- 9 Wall of Death 3:32
- 10 Nearly in Love 4:09
- 11 Valerie 3:03
- 12 When the Spell Is Broken 4:23
- 13 Two Left Feet 3:01
- 14 Turning of the Tide 2:29
- 15 Simple Again 3:40
- 16 Ghosts in the Wind 5:00
- 17 Shoot Out the Lights 4:29
- 18 She Twists the Knife Again 3:12
- 19 Withered and Died 3:47
- 20 The End of the Rainbow 4:06
Disc 3
- 1 Gethsemane 5:04
- 2 Outside of the Inside 4:25
- 3 Wall of Death 3:32
- 4 Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen 4:16
- 5 Kidzz 3:12
- 6 Did She Jump or Was She Pushed? 3:59
- 7 The End of the Rainbow 3:44
- 8 One Door Opens 4:01
- 9 Outside of the Inside 4:22
- 10 Let It Blow 4:28
- 11 Old Thames Side 3:48
- 12 Dad’s Gonna Kill Me 4:29
- 13 Down Where the Drunkards Roll 4:14
- 14 I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight 2:34
- 15 Needle and Thread 3:33
- 16 So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo 2:16
- 17 The Cutty Wren 3:01
- 18 See My Friends 4:02
- 19 Time’s Gonna Break You 4:08
- 20 William Brown 2:39
- 21 Meet on the Ledge 2:48
Disc 4
- 1 Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair
- 2 A Heart Needs a Home
- 3 Night Comes In
- 4 I’m a Dreamer
- 5 I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
- 6 Shoot Out the Lights
- 7 You’re Going to Need Somebody
- 8 Dargai
- 9 Dimming of the Day
- 10 Pavanne
- 11 Just the Motion
- 12 Fire in the Engine Room
- 13 She Twists the Knife Again
- 14 Wall of Death
- 15 When the Spell Is Broken
- 16 Did She Jump or Was She Pushed
- 17 Wrong Heartbeat
- 18 Tear Stained Letter
- 19 She Twists the Knife Again
What to play next
Cabaret of Souls
2012
Continues the live energy with rich storytelling and diverse instrumentation.
Dream Attic
2010
Sets the stage with a similar blend of folk-rock and intricate guitar work.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Shares rich storytelling and intimate acoustic instrumentation with a melancholic atmosphere.
Solid Air
John Martyn
Combines folk influences and intricate guitar work with emotional depth in its lyrical themes.
Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
Explores personal narratives and heartfelt melodies, echoing the emotional resonance found in Thompson's work.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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