ARTIST: Richard & Linda Thompson
TITLE: Hokey Pokey
YEAR RELEASED: 1975
CHART ACTION: None
SINGLES: Hokey Pokey
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Georgie on a Spree
LINEUP: Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson, Timi Donald, Pat Donaldson, Simon Nicol, John Kirkpatrick, Aly Bain
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Husband and wife duo’s second joint album sounds lighter but lyrically is a semi-indictment of the me-decade of the 70’s.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Some of the soungs sound jaunty, but Richard & Linda’s second album is full of characters who are struggling to survive the 70’s, because life isn’t fulfilling for them.
Musically, it’s a wonderful-sounding record, as Thompson and Nicol’s guitar weave together, and the Thompson’s voices work well. Some guests play accordion and fiddle, and adds a traditional folky atmosphere to the songs.
It’s a step back from the couple’s debut, but it came at a time when they were moving towards living in an Islamic commune. The songs fit the restlessness that they were feeling at the time.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: It took a while to get this released, and by the time it was, they were fully ensconced in the commune and didn’t tour much for the album.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No
GRADE: B+: Good, fun-sounding songs just a bit short of their fabulous debut.