Henry The Human Fly

The debut solo album from the influential British folk-rock pioneer Richard Thompson. Originally released on Island in 1972, the album showcases Thompson's remarkable, singular talent. Feted as their lead writer, Richard Thompson left Fairport Convention, the group he founded in 1967, in early 1971. Recorded at Joe Boyd's legendary Sound Techniques studio in Chelsea in February 1972, "Henry The Human Fly" was a 37-minute collection of everything that makes Thompson so cherished today - well-written vignettes with an emphasis on shadow, a cast of curious characters, all wrapped in his warm folk-based musical drone. Backed by some of the biggest names in the field (Sandy Denny, Barry Dransfield, Ashley Hutchings), "Henry The Human Fly" showcases Thompson at an early peak. Among its 12 tracks, "Nobody's Wedding" borrows heavily from the traditional Irish air, "Marie's Wedding"; "The Angels Took My Race Horse Away" features Thompson's distinctive guitar playing, part-Django Reinhardt, part-Lou Reed. There is the delightful harp melody of "The Old Changing Way"; the eerie Salvation Army band nativity of "Mary & Joseph" - there is much to savor. This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1972 Island Records UK release and is pressed onto high-quality 180gm vinyl.