Song for the day 11th April 2024

Richard Thompson The Way That It Shows from Mirror Blue
Mirror Blue (Richard Thompson: 1994)
A record so brilliant I can't even explain it. Every song is perfectly conceived and executed, every guitar solo is jaw-droppingly creative, every lyric is fascinating. As usual, his range is impressive: everything from stark and beautiful Celtic acoustic ballads ("King Of Bohemia"; "Beeswing") to catchy, clever, and entirely up-to-date pop-rock songs ("I Can't Wake Up To Save My Life"; "Mascara Tears") - the same formula as Rumor And Sigh, just more consistent. There's yet more of Thompson's lovingly arranged rockabilly ("Shane And Dixie"), another nutty social commentary piece ("Fast Food"), an ethereal acoustic waltz ("Taking My Business Elsewhere"), an unclassifiable Scottish reel/hot rod song ("MGB-GT"), an extraordinary folk-rocker ("For The Sake Of Mary"), a gorgeous acoustic love song ("The Way That It Shows"), and a couple of his characteristically dark, disturbing mood pieces that are so dramatic they're breathtaking ("Mingus Eyes"; "I Ride In Your Slipstream"). Every tune is worth every cent - buy this record. Again produced by Froom, and again the band is affiliated with Elvis Costello: Froom on keyboards, Attractions drummer Pete Thomas, and Jerry Scheff on bass (he's memorable on "Slipstream"). Danny Thompson contributes a fabulous acoustic bass line to the jazzy, impressionistic "Easy There, Steady Now." The other guests are bit players on traditional instruments (concertina, fiddle, pipes) and backup vocalists. (JA)
Rev 2
A record so brilliant I can't even explain it. Every song is perfectly conceived and executed, every guitar solo is jaw-droppingly creative, every lyric is fascinating. As usual, his range is impressive: everything from stark and beautiful Celtic acoustic ballads ("King Of Bohemia"; "Beeswing") to catchy, clever, and entirely up-to-date pop-rock songs ("I Can't Wake Up To Save My Life"; "Mascara Tears") - the same formula as Rumor And Sigh, just more consistent. There's yet more of Thompson's lovingly arranged rockabilly ("Shane And Dixie"), another nutty social commentary piece ("Fast Food"), an ethereal acoustic waltz ("Taking My Business Elsewhere"), an unclassifiable Scottish reel/hot rod song ("MGB-GT"), an extraordinary folk-rocker ("For The Sake Of Mary"), a gorgeous acoustic love song ("The Way That It Shows"), and a couple of his characteristically dark, disturbing mood pieces that are so dramatic they're breathtaking ("Mingus Eyes"; "I Ride In Your Slipstream"). Every tune is worth every cent - buy this record. Again produced by Froom, and again the band is affiliated with Elvis Costello: Froom on keyboards, Attractions drummer Pete Thomas, and Jerry Scheff on bass (he's memorable on "Slipstream"). Danny Thompson contributes a fabulous acoustic bass line to the jazzy, impressionistic "Easy There, Steady Now." The other guests are bit players on traditional instruments (concertina, fiddle, pipes) and backup vocalists. (JA)

The Way That It Shows"

You're going to give yourself away
One of these nights
Your gaze of compassion
Just a little too right
Your hug of encouragement
A little too tight
And then he'll know
It's the little things betray
You're going to give yourself away
To some Casanova
On the spills and stains
Of a backstage sofa
He'll catch you yawning
With one leg over
And there's the sin
Must be the enemy within

That's the way that it shows
That's the way that it shows
That's the way that it shows
That's the way that it shows
That's the way that it shows
That's the way that it shows
A slip of the tongue
A squeeze of the hand
That's the way that it shows

There's glycerine in the tear
Rouge in the blush
Your artful stammer
A little too rushed
All passion to the eye
All cold to the touch
And then he'll guess
Your mind has drifted in the kiss
There's a chink in your armour
A crack in your defenses
When your iron will
Gives way to your senses
Your whispered sweet nothings
All sound like expenses
And that's enough
He won't believe your words of love

And that's the way that it shows
That's the way that it shows
Yes, that's the way that it shows
That's the way that it shows
That's the way that it shows
It's the - That's the way that it shows
A slip of the tongue
A squeeze of the hand
That's the way that it shows