Richard Thompson – Hand Of Kindness (1983)

I've no idea where or when I picked this up. It's Richard Thompson's first solo outing following the personal and professional break up with Linda Thompson, and falls fairly and squarely into the folk-rock genre, accompanied as he is by several Fairport friends, as well as John Kirkpatrick on accordion and concertina, which play a big part in this album's sound.

Sadly, there isn't too much to get excited about. Nothing's awful, but really strong songs are few and far between. Probably the most impact comes at the start with the bouncy Cajun sound on Tear Stained Letter, and at the end with the Celtic dance tinged Two Left Feet, both of which are likely to set your toes tapping (even if you do have two left feet). But between that, there's not much. Both Ends Burning is a likeable plodder, and Where The Wind Don't Whine an upbeat which sounds to me like an earleir draft of I Misunderstood from the Amnesia album, Title track Hand Of Kindness is probably the strongest of the slower songs.

Not really one of Thompson's finest solo works, but it's a pleasant enough way to while away 40 minutes, without getting over-excited.

Link to album tracks

3* - not many RT classics here, but a reasonable listen