Rumor and Sigh

iTunes Review

Richard Thompson seems fated for cult status. He's a first-class guitarist (able to solo like a '70s guitar hero or a contemplative folkie finger-picker), an inventive and probing songwriter, and a producer of fine albums since the '60s when he was a member of Fairport Convention. Yet Thompson has never had a major hit that would allow him to cross over to mainstream acceptance. 1991's Rumor and Sigh was one of his better stabs at mainstream success. It's a consistently strong 14-track collection of songs that exemplify his mastery of many musical facets. "I Feel So Good" motors along with a rock-sold backbeat and a nasty yet jovial 'breaking hearts' sentiment. "I Misunderstood" sublimely broods over a communication breakdown ("I thought she was saying good luck/She was saying good bye" goes the punch-line.) "Why Must I Plead" merges Thompson's throttled guitar notes with producer Mitchell Froom's swelling organ. "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" is an acoustic tale of motorcycle tragedy later remade into a bluegrass classic by Del McCoury. Rumor and Sigh proved to Thomspon's commercial high point (however modest), but it stands today as a very good Thompson album that deserves greater public acclaim.