Linda Thompson

An iconic figure in British folk-rock, Richard Thompson is arguably the genre's greatest triple threat: a dazzling guitarist, an outstanding songwriter, and a strong and evocative vocalist. As one of the founding members of the group Fairport Convention, Thompson would have a seismic impact on both U.K. folk and rock, incorporating elements of traditional music (most effectively on 1969's Liege and Lief) in a way that sparked a new interest in authentic British folk.

After Shoot Out the Lights (1982) and Hand of Kindness (1983) transformed Richard Thompson's audience from a tiny cult into a medium-sized cult, he landed a new record deal with Polydor Records, and his first album for the label, Across a Crowded Room, arrived in 1985. This was a time when a growing number of music fans were upgrading their video setups and labels were issuing home video releases on their leading artists, so someone at Polydor got the idea of producing a long-form video of Thompson in concert.

Acoustic Classics, a collection of newly recorded timeless Richard Thompson songs, features 14 tracks culled from his 40 plus year music career. For the first time ever, acoustic versions of songs like "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" and "Dimming of the Day" mingle with cornerstone classics like "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" and "Beeswing" as well as other acoustically rendered gems. "I really wanted to have something that would reflect the acoustic shows," Richard explains, "But we didn't have anything like that. Just some old, slightly scratchy recordings of solo sets that I wasn't really happy with." His last proper solo acoustic release was the live Small Town Romance, and that was more than 30 years ago! In the meantime, the acoustic shows have evolved as a full parallel to his band tours. Thompson was named by Rolling Stone Magazine's as one of the Top 20 Guitarists of all time and considered one of the UK's most outstanding songwriters and musicians.

Adieu False Heart is a Grammy-nominated 2006 album by American singer, songwriter, and producer Linda Ronstadt featuring Cajun music singer Ann Savoy. This was Ronstadt's last studio album before her retirement in 2011 and the revelation of her affliction with Parkinson's disease in 2013, which has left her unable to perform or sing. The recording earned two Grammy Award nominations, including Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

This lavishly packaged, authoritatively researched 4CD long-box set is the first in-depth anthology of the music and 45-year career of Dave Swarbrick, one of Britain's best loved and most influential folk fiddle players. The 73 tracks (over five hours of music) stretch from Swarb's earliest recordings to his latest, including selections from every duo, band and session line-up he has been involved in, legendary 'lost' recordings, and out-takes and alternate takes from all of his key albums. Among the many individuals and groups he has performed with are Ewan MacColl, the Ian Campbell Folk Group, Martin Carthy, Fairport Convention, Beryl Marriott, Richard & Linda Thompson, Whippersnapper, Eureka and Band Of Hope, all featured here along with other well know names from the British folk music scene. The definitive tribute to one of the great names of British folk music.

In 1972, Mike and Lal Waterson released an extraordinary album of their original songs, Bright Phoebus. This magical collection of very English songwriting has long been acknowledged a classic and one of the finest achievements of the British folk revival. Shining Bright was conceived to pay tribute to Mike & Lal's remarkable songs, and it draws upon the songs recorded for Bright Phoebus, and on a further dozen songs written at the same time but not previously recorded. Features 15 tracks performed by Norma Waterson, Dayteller, Maddy Prior, Richard Thompson, Eliza Carthy, Blue Murder, Dick Gaughan, Linda & Teddy Thompson, Helen Watson, Billy Bragg & The Blokes, Martin Carthy, Christine Collister & others.