The 1982 record "Shoot Out The Lights" catches all the passion and pain of the soon-to-be-divorced couple for all to hear. Stunning. Richard's guitar was never better, and Linda's voice, particularly on "Walking On A WIre" and "Just The Motion" is fragile but clear, and thoroughly heart-breaking in its weariness. "Don't Renege on Our Love," "Did She Jump or Was She Pushed," and "Wall of Death" all purvey a palpably bitter undertow of frustration, anger and resentment. The beginning of the title song is so ominous it could be the opening track of a blood-soaked revenge movie. That song, "Shoot Out The Lights," has been covered to great affect by the likes of Los Lobos, and even Richard T. many times himself, with a smashing live version on Elvis Costello's "Spectacle" TV show, but one can honestly say that nothing quite captures the dark, murky mood of the original. You can readily see why Rolling Stone cites it as a key track in its listing of Thompson as #69 in its "100 Greatest Guitarists." The raw anger and power spitting out of his guitar on the rockers, or the weeping notes sadly crooning along on the ballads may even convince you that he's been listed far too low. Recorded with stripped-down production values that show both the Thompsons and Richard's usual stalwarts from Fairport Convention to their very best advantage, this is one of rock's finest. There may be only eight songs on this issue, but it is far more satisfying than many other recordings twice as long. For the serious music fan or avid guitar aficionado, this CD is must-have.