Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. CX--Richard and Linda Thompson: Wall of Death

For those thinking the Wall of Death is some sort of maudlin metaphor, you're going to be disappointed.  It was actually, back in the day, an amusement park ride for thrill seekers wherein motorbike riders would ride around in a circular structure, somewhat similar to a rather large barrel, and defy gravity as they rode at a 90 degree angle around and around the Wall of Death (check out the video for the song--it'll give you a better idea).  And near as I can tell, no one ever died from riding it.

Richard Thompson may be the most talented songwriter and guitarist that next to nobody ever heard of (though it's said by some that he reached the level of fame that he was comfortable with).  He started his career with the seminal English folk rock band Fairpoint Convention which had a modicum of success in the sixties (they remain together to this day).  He left in 1971 to start a solo career and shortly thereafter met Linda Peters (who would become Mrs. Thompson), and they began recording together.  They would go on to have three children, convert to Islam, and release seven albums together before an especially bitter divorce (which would be the inspiration for their last album, though Mr. denies this as Mrs. rolls her eyes) ended their musical partnership.  All told Richard Thompson has released 25 LPs. and remains recording and touring to this day.  He has received numerous accolades, and whether by design or bad luck, has managed to avoid any kind of commercial success.

Shoot Out the Lights, the album from which "Wall of Death" emanates, was released in 1982 and became an instant classic to the half dozen or so people who actually heard it.  Honestly, it will show up on almost any 1980s best album compilation, was ranked #333 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all-time--and it never even charted on the Billboard 200.  Still, as one of the few people who has actually heard it (and owns it--on an LP, no less), it is a hell of a record, chronicling the demise of a marriage.  It's also Richard Thompson's best selling album of his career.

And so it goes.

I'd nearly forgotten about "Wall of Death" until a few years back--I was in a bit of a Nanci Griffith kick (for the umpteenth time) and was listening to her second record of classic folk song covers, Other Voices, Too, and her rendition of "Wall of Death" (very well done) jogged my memory.  "Wall of Death" is something of an oddball tune on Shoot Out the Lights, as it's a bit more upbeat than the other songs and, unless it's some sort of metaphor, doesn't really have much to do with the end of a marriage.  Still, it's a great tune, taking its listeners on a trip to the carnival while it's extolling the wild ride that is the lives we lead.  It features some understated guitar work by Thompson, some great backing vocals from his former Mrs., and, fittingly with it's theme, some roll of the dice lyrics and music.  Let me take my chances, indeed.

Lyric sheet:  "You can waste your time on the other rides/This is the nearest to being alive...."

Enjoy:

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emaycee