Ship To Shore
New West, 2024
10/10
The legendary Richard Thompson seems to be getting better with age, and this collection of 12 new songs welcomes Bobby Eichorn, Taras Prodaniuk, Michael Jerome, Zara Phillips and David Mansfield.
“Freeze” starts with Jerome’s thumping drums and a Celtic spirit that suits Thompson’s husky pipes and gritty version of folk-rock, and “The Fear Never Leaves You” follows with a nearly tribal like demeanor that benefits much from a soulfulness, too.
Moving into the middle, “The Day That I Give In” offers a pretty moment of tuneful guitar from Eichorn, as Phillips’ lends cozy backing vocals, while “Lost In The Crowd”, the album’s best, emits a raw yet melodic and rootsy mood of both beauty and ruggedness.
Arriving close to the end, “Life’s A Bloody Show” showcases Prodaniuk’s meticulous bass progression amid poetic singing from Thompson in an intimate climate, and “We Roll” exits with a friskiness that makes great use of Mansfield’s cozy fiddle and the bouncy rhythm section.
An institution in the area of songwriting, Thompson has been active for 50+ years now, and his brand of British folk-rock sounds better than ever here, where he plays guitars, mandolin and accordion, as well.
Travels well with: Pernice Brothers- Who Will You Believe; Caroline Rose- The Art Of Forgetting