A lot of you are missing the point that this performance was after Richard left Linda and their three kids for a younger woman. Somehow, she went through with the tour then retired from performing. The thing that makes this video so compelling is the unmistakable pain in Linda's voice.
Truly authentic b/c this was when they were touring and had already broken up I believe. No acting required. This old house was truly falling about their ears.
No words to describe how beautiful.....But sorrowful this is.....I played this many times some years ago after I lost someone I deeply loved but it fell apart. I understand the pain in this song very well......I haven't been the same since that lose.....
Wow, I can't imagine what she's thinking at about 1:50 given the state of their relationship at the time. Talk about beauty coming from such a personal song...
Thank you for this. Imprinted as I am on the studio release, I was aware of Linda straightening the tune out a bit and keeping her range closer to the ground, as well as an almost frightening pause before some lines... There is real heartbreak here, almost conversational in its despair - the words were sorrowful a decade before, and she always inhabits her text, syllable by syllable...but this is breathtaking.
Couple more versions on youtube that are well worth a listen: 5 Blind Boys of Alabama (from the Beat The Retreat RT tribute album) bring out the spirituality that was never far below the surface in most Thompson songs of that era And there's a terrific live version from Tom Jones posted in February this year.
Wow! I love your song, Richard! Thank you so much for writing it, and singing the harmony with others. I've been listening to other singers sing your song. I loved Mary Black singing it. I liked Alison Krauss, but thought it was too slow. Yes, Bonnie Raitt sang it a little loud, but in her style - same with Emmy Lou Harris. The harmony is great!
I just love this and keep coming back to it. Thankyou so very much for this delightful post - how could anyone ever find something negative to say about it?
Absolutely superb ! Can I also recommend a version of this song from Clive Gregson's old band " Any Trouble"? Nothing compared the drama and compelling nature of this version mind
as the arguments rage about the "best" version, i have now listened to five. Its not a competition. However I dont think Gilmour has the range or subtlety of voice. Raitts version is too loud and strident for a tender song about hurt and a fractured heart (why didnt he say something?).Which leaves the other three, Mary Black ,Alison Krauss and Linda Thompson- they are all beautifully poignant in different ways. I wonder which one Richard Thompson prefers,after all its his song.
+John Gordon This is not a cover version. This song was written by Richard Thompson and originally sung by his then wife Linda on their 1975 album Pour Down Like Silver.
Wonderful music, wonderful song, but what a dreadful piece of filming! Who was playing the banjo? Who was playing the squeezebox? Was there a band? Who was in the band? Would one lousy wide shot have killed yer?! Will play again and again, but won't watch!
