Photos Ice Cream Set

Watching The Dark contains 3 CDs with 23 live, rare and unreleased tracks spanning the years 1969-1992. Also included is a 24-page booklet with photos, a complete biography and a selected discography. Includes liner notes by Greil Marcus, Joe Boyd and Leslie Berman. This three-disc set contains too many rarities and flouts chronology too blatantly to function as a simple best-of. Rather, it's an eclectic overview that dips deep enough into the archives to appeal to the hardcore fans that make up most of Thompson's audience while featuring enough classics to operate as a de facto "Greatest Hits" for those unfamiliar with the unjustly hitless guitarist/singer/songwriter. Previously unreleased live cuts display Thompson's unrivaled way with his axe ("Can't Win," "Calvary Cross"). Fans of Thompson's folkier side will delight at never-before heard traditional tunes like "Bogie's Bonnie Belle" and "Poor Wee Jockey Clarke." There are even some previously unheard Fairport tracks for those who've been in on Thompson's special gift from the very beginning. If you love Thompson, you must own this.