Henry The Human Fly - RICHARD THOMPSON***

Roll Over Vaughn Williams/Nobody's Wedding/The Poor Ditching Boy/Shaky Nancy/The Angels Took My Racehorse Away/Wheely Down/The New St George/Painted Ladies/Cold Feet/Mary & Joseph/The Old Changing Ways/Twisted

Henry The Human Fly was the first solo album from notable British folk artist Richard Thompson after leaving Fairport Convention. Regarded as more rock orientated than his group work, it comprises folk tunes with a hint of Celtic influence.

“Richard Thompson's sole solo album of the 1970s, sandwiched between his departure from Fairport Convention and the establishment of his collaboration with Linda. We start our adventure out with Roll Over Vaughn Williams, a bleak folk-rock declaration of utter futility and desolation, and continue from there. It's a bold start and it works a treat.”

“The debut album from Richard Thompson after leaving Fairport Convention. It’s not an album I'd recommend to those who have no knowledge of Richard's work as it is a fairly dark and unlovable piece with a wildly erratic second half. It carries on with the fusion of rock and British folk music for which his former band were famed.”

“As overlooked as anything Richard Thompson has ever been involved in and almost as good as his finest work. A lot more rock than his albums with Linda or with the Fairport Convention, it also features one of his better collections of songs.”

“The young Richard Thompson's first solo album finds him doing a fine set of low key British folk tunes, with the occasional hint of Celtic influence. The songwriting is exceptional, and though the production may be a little rough around the edges, it's hardly a factor to consider with such a great songwriter. He would go on to do better stuff later, but this was a very admirable start for the solo career of a British legend.”

“Everything comes together; cleverly written rather strange songs, amazingly crisp simple arrangements, and some fantastic guitar work.”

“Most of Richard's tunes take the point of view of the commoner, the person at the bottom of the heap, who is fresh out of luck. The combination of gallows humour and pristine musical beauty endears Richard to his fans and bewilders those outside his cult. If you like this album, you'll like all of Richard's work. If you don't get it, you never will.”