Two Letter Words

AMG Review of Two Letter Words

Brett Hartenbach
All Music Guide

The second of Richard Thompson's official bootleg recordings (sold only by mail), is a two-record set culled from the 1994 tour in support of his album Mirror Blue. Along with his band -- featuring double bassist Danny Thompson, Pete Zorn on sax, guitar, mandolin, and penny whistle, and drummer Dave Mattacks -- Thompson rips through various selections from his extensive catalog dating back as far as Fairport Convention's "Now Be Thankful." Aside from the full band cuts, Two Letter Words also includes a handful of fine acoustic numbers (solo and with Danny Thompson), ranging from Mirror Blue's "I Ride in Your Slipstream" to "Dimming of the Day" from 1974's Pour Down Like Silver. Though mainly of interest to hardcore Thompson fans, Two Letter Words succeeds as a fine document of this particular tour, while at the same time combating low quality bootlegs of similar shows. Highlights include Richard singing lead on songs previously sung by Linda Thompson ("Dimming of the Day," "Hokey Pokey") or Dave Swarbrick ("Now Be Thankful"), a stunning solo rendition of "I Ride in Your Slipstream," and the exquisite "Beeswing," featuring Pete Zorn's penny whistle.