Publisher Description

In the fall of 1980 Richard and Linda Thompson (of Fairport Convention fame) had recently been dumped from their record label and were on the verge of divorce. Somehow they overcame these miserable circumstances and managed to make an album considered by many to be a masterpiece.

Shoot Out The Lights puts the album—from the personal history driving the songs, to the recording difficulties they encountered and the subsequent fall-out—in context. This is a brilliant, emotional book about a brilliant, emotional album.

Notes

Puts the classic break up album in context, from the personal stories of the songs to its recording difficulties.

Author Biography

Hayden Childs is a researcher and policy expert for the Texas Legislature. He's also an aspiring novelist, an occasional essayist, and a hardcore Richard Thompson fanatic. He contributed to the book Lost in the Grooves and is co-editor of the online music magazine The High Hat.

Review

Hayden Childs has definitely broken beyond the normal form of rock criticism with his take on Shoot Out The Lights, creating a review of some depth and intelligence, his critique as layered and textured as the album it explores. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Thompsons, or a listener just discovering the brilliant and disturbing Shoot Out The Lights, Childs' book provides the perfect guide to this difficult album. -- Rev. Keith Gordon * Blurt Magazine *
This is an intent, even intense, look at Thompson's careful, multi-layering lyric writing, plus an enthusiastic, if not revelatory, appreciation for his musical gift. * Erasingclouds *

Promotional

Hayden Childs' Shoot Out The Lights puts Richard and Linda Thompson's album—from the personal history driving the songs, to the recording difficulties they encountered and the subsequent fall-out—in context.

Long Description

In the fall of 1980 Richard and Linda Thompson (of Fairport Convention fame) had recently been dumped from their record label and were on the verge of divorce. Somehow they overcame these miserable circumstances and managed to make an album considered by many to be a masterpiece. Shoot Out The Lights puts the album "from the personal history driving the songs, to the recording difficulties they encountered and the subsequent fall-out "in context. This is a brilliant, emotional book about a brilliant, emotional album. >

Review Quote

"This is an intent, even intense, look at Thompson'scareful, multi-layering lyric writing, plus an enthusiastic, if not revelatory,appreciation for his musical gift." -Erasingclouds

Details