From Amazon.com

Nobody like Richard Thompson

 Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: This is a good DVD. Only three musicans, drums, bass, guitar. Sounds great! There is no one like Richard Thompson. I like his work.

+1/2 -- Well crafted live show from 2001

 Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: Thompson is probably one of the most famous cult favorites in popular music. With dozens of albums in his catalog (solo, with then-wife Linda, and with Fairport Convention), he's been lauded far and wide for his guitar playing and songwriting, and his songs have been the subject of two full tribute albums. His idiosyncratic convergence of British folk traditions and American rock 'n' roll has found favor among a broad audience of folk, pop, rock and country enthusiasts.

This latest volume of the "Live From Austin, TX" series captures Thompson and accompanists (Michael Jerome on drums and Danny Thompson on upright bass) as recorded for the U.S. television program "Austin City Limits." The original half-hour TV edit is extended to 79 minutes on CD, and to the entire 87-minute performance on DVD. Unlike the live discs Thompson's offered through his own website, this set captures a single performance arc, showing off not just the singer, songwriter and guitarist, but the showman.

The set kicks off with the rousing "Cooksferry" before settling in to the somber "Uninhabited Man." The trio resonates with jazz-like interplay across fifteen (sixteen on DVD) titles drawn in large part from 1999's "Mock Tudor," and dating back as early as 1982's "Shoot Out the Lights" and 1984's "She Twists the Knife Again." The quality of Thompson's songs remains uniformly high between Thompson's most well-known tunes ("1952 Vincent Black Lightning," who's introductory guitar gains a cheer from the audience) and most obscure (the soundtrack composition, "Mr. Rebound").

Neither a career overview, nor a greatest-hits volume, this is still a good place to get a sense of Thompson's art, and an enchanting opportunity for fans to spend some quality time with their hero. DVD notes: soundtrack provided in stereo, DTS and Dolby 5.1.surround, and the set's 8-minute closing track "Put it There Pal" is included on DVD but not on CD. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2005 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

Another must have disc!

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: For those who are already RT fans this one is a no-brainer, but then anything he does is for fans. If you don't know RT this is a GREAT way to be introduced to him. You get his stunning lyrics and guitar playing that is among the best in the world. Richard's humor is evident in between song banter as is his intelligence. In terms of humor I wish he would put "My Daddy is a Mummy," or "I Got the Hots for the Smarts" on a disc someday, but that is a minor quibble that detracts nothing from this disc. RT is one of the best lyricists around and his guitar playing whether acoustic or electric is amazing. A friend once asked at a show if there was more than one guitar player and of course there wasn't! Add the incomparable Danny Thompson on bass, Jerome on drums and what a trio! The DTS track is great.

a must-have!

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: This is the DVD that Richard Thompson's fans have been anxiously awaiting for decades.
The sound (especially for those with DTS systems) is fantastic, the song choices perfect, the picture quality is great, and, of course, this particular trio is one of the greatest in folk-rock history.
If you're debating between this and the Live in Providence DVD, by all means go with this one. Sure, we all love the great Pete Zorn, but the legendary Danny Thompson (unfortunately absent from the 2003 tour, and therefore the Providence DVD) makes this show transcendent. Of course, Richard Thompson fans should own both (the extras on the Providence DVD alone are worth the price).
Whether familiar with Richard Thompson's work or not, anyone who appreciates great songwriting, and/or great, innovative guitar playing should own this one. I couldn't be happier with this release.

Mr. Berman, I beg to differ...

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: ...and I haven't seen this show yet.

I am a Richard Thompson fan. To say "the acoustic tracks are dull" is like saying sex is boring.

We're talking RT here.

Most purists would say they'd be hard pressed to choose between an electric RT show or an acoustic one.

There is no one, NO ONE, I'd rather hear play acoustic guitar more than Richard Thompson.

You are entitled to your opinion, of course, and I respect that, but, even on his worst day, no way could RT be acoustically dull.

...jessayin'...