Industry, the first official collaborative release from singer/songwriter/guitarist Richard Thompson and double bassist Danny Thompson, is a superb collection of pieces: six songs by Richard and five instrumentals by Danny, revolving around the impact of the industrial age from the 18th century to the 1990s. The record doesn't come across as, and isn't meant to be, a history lesson, but rather an attempt to evoke the feel of the times and capture the lives of the people who lived and worked through the period. The Thompsons, joined by members of Danny's band Whatever, as well as his uncles Albert and Harry Thompson on trombones and Richard's longtime associates Dave Mattacks on drums and Christine Collister on backing vocals, incorporate jazz, rock & roll, and traditional British folk music to convey their impressions of industry through the years. Richard, with songs such as the melancholy "Drifting Through the Days," the edgy "Saboteur," and the bouncy folk of "Lotteryland," has created some of his most challenging music to date. Meanwhile, Danny, whose family actually worked the coal mines, elicits the sadness, drudgery, and even joy of industrial England with sounds ranging from 18th century-style brass bands to British traditional music and modern jazz. Industry, from the foreboding opening instrumental, "Chorale," to the mournful closer, "Last Shift," is for the most part a dark ride through the mines and factories, and the lives and times of the people who made and were affected by the industrial age. The record makes an excellent companion piece to another Richard Thompson project, 1990's Hard Cash, a collection of songs by various artists from the British folk scene about the working class in Britain. -
by Brett Hartenbach, AMG'It wasn't going to be a history of industry from the 1700s to the present day - I don't think that's possible. The nature of a three minute song is that you have to paint little pictures. I think it's impressions of industry and the end of industry... and the transition from industrial to post-industrial... that is hopefully reflected on the album" -
by Richard ThompsonArtist: Richard Thompson & Danny Thompson
Album: Industry
Year: 1997
Quality:
eac-flac, cue, log, artw. Label: Hannibal
Runnung time: 44:01
Tracks:1. Chorale (Danny Thompson) 0:54
2. Sweetheart On The Barricade (Richard Thompson) 4:22
3. Children Of The Dark (Danny Thompson) 4:19
4. Big Chimney (Richard Thompson) 4:37
5. Kitty "Tommy, Quick! Get Up, I Can Hear Clogs Goin' Up The Street." Tommy \n"Well Stick Mine Out And See If They'll Go With 'em!" (Danny Thompson) 4:08
6. Drifting Through The Days (Richard Thompson) 3:24
7. Lotteryland (Richard Thompson) 2:51
8. Pitfalls (Danny Thompson) 6:06
9. Saboteur (Richard Thompson) 2:15
10. New Rhythms (Danny Thompson) 7:05
11. Last Shift (Richard Thompson) 3:54
Personnel:Richard Thompson (Guitar, Vocals)
Danny Thompson (Double Bass, Arco Bass)
Dylan Fowler (Cor Anglais, Oboe, Guitar) - 1-3,5,6,8,10,11
Paul Dunmall (Soprano and Tenor Saxophone) - 1-6,8,10
Tony Roberts (Tenor and Baritone Saxophone, Border Pipes, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Harmonium) - 1-6,8,10,11
Peter Knight (Violin) - 1-3,5,6,8,10,11
Christine Collister (Vocals) - 2,4,7
Paul Clarvis (Percussion) - 1,10
David Mattacks (Drums and Percussion) - 2,4
Albert Thompson (Tenor Trombone) - 2
Harold Thompson (Tenor Trombone) - 2
