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Recent Articles by Michael Roberts

National Features >

  • SF Weekly

    Identity Plagiarism

    A blogger steals someone else's life story and calls it her own.

    By Ashley Harrell

  • Miami New Times

    Mold Over Miami

    The family of a dead judge blames a creeping fungus in the federal courthouse.

    By Tim Elfrink

  • The Pitch

    McCain Girl

    I worked at Kmart with John McCain's director of strategy.

    By Alan Scherstuhl

Richard Thompson

Saturday, June 9, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder, 303-440-7666.

By Michael Roberts

Published on June 07, 2007

Consistency is considered to be an attribute — but for Richard Thompson, it's been a drawback, too. He was first championed during the late '60s for his contributions to Fairport Convention, among the most interesting English folk-rock groups of the era, and he saw his star rise again in the '80s thanks to Shoot Out the Lights, a beyond-brilliant conclusion to his collaboration with then-wife Linda Thompson. However, he's been largely taken for granted in recent years, despite — or perhaps because of — his prolific output (he's issued at least eighteen albums since 1988) and damnable steadiness (none of the platters has been less than worthy). Sweet Warrior, a new Shout Factory release, is unlikely to alter this situation. Although the CD is packed with mesmerizing guitar textures, distinctively gruff vocalizing and solid compositions exemplified by "Dad's Gonna Kill Me," a seething indictment of the Iraq War, it emerges as a reliable demonstration of his talent, not a groundbreaking effort sure to broaden his appeal. For Thompson, keeping up the good work still hasn't paid off.



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