RICHARD THOMPSON Front Parlour Ballads (2005 UK Cooking Vinyl/Diverse Records limited edition 13-track audiophile LP pressed on HEAVYWEIGHT VINYL - a treasure box of stories and characters, all delivered with Thompson's masterful guitar work, sonorous voice and bittersweet lyrics encompassing everything from rollicking tales of quickie marriages, a lilting love song dedicated to 'Miss Patsy', a metaphorical voyage through the rough seas of the big-time music business and the devastatingly beautiful lament of 'Precious One', sealed gatefold sleeve)