Linda Thompson – It Won't Be Long Now

Linda Thompson has been an integral part of British folk music since 1972, when she teamed up with former husband Richard Thompson. Richard, became celebrated for his attacks on political hypricosy and fame/ meanwhile, Linda, was carving out a unique and brilliant niche as folks foremost melancholy voice. In 2013, she returned with her 4^th solo album ‘Won’t Be Long Now’ which is littered with more songs about heart ache and the sense of romantic isolation.

The album begins with ‘Love’s For Babies and Fools’ and features aforementioned ex-husband Richard features on guitar. However, with this track, and most of the album, it is Linda’s sublime voice which is the main attraction. In her 67^th year, she has developed a slightly deeper tone which adds to the bitterness and despondent lyrical content effortlessly. Memories of 1975’s ‘Pour Down Like Silver’ album will come rushing back Thompson yet again makes the bleak incredibly listenable.

‘Never The Bride’, is a tale told spanning 3 years of the same female protagonist from the age of 16 to 18. Each verse recounts a growing sense of pain and despair as she meddles with an adulterer, a deserter and a failed engagement.

‘If I Were A Bluebird’, deals with yet another sailor who has left for shores afar and thus creating a realm of loneliness to bring a lump to any throat. Thompson’s protagonist longs to have the ability soar into the sunset after her lover(s) as they always leave never to return.

The album has tracks like ‘Never Put To Sea Boys’ and ‘Paddy’s Lamentation’ which are bland and lack emotive influence. This is a pity as the songs ‘Never The Bride’ and ‘If I Were A Bluebird’ are so highly charged they will leave you emotionally exhausted.

The album is not without a lighter note or two though. On ‘As Fast As My Feet’, there 3 generations of Thompson’s in action. Her three children and grandchild Zak Hobbs combine with Linda to produce verses akin to the Ocean Colour Scene’s classic ‘This Day Should Last Forever’ and a guitar solo worthy of David Crosby and Roger McGuinn at their Sunkist best.

The family affair continues on the album closer ‘It Won’t Be Long Now’ which was written by son Teddy. It is very light of touch and strolls along carefree to leave you in a happy state of mind.

Nevertheless, this album, on the whole deals with bleak and forlorn characters which draw empathy from the coldest of hearts. Linda Thompson is notoriously shy of the spotlight but this helping deserves everyone’s attention. A triumph!