Versatile Heart

Last updated
Versatile Heart
Versatile Heart album art.jpeg
Studio album by
Linda Thompson
Released14 August 2007
Genre Folk rock [1]
Length44:09
Label Decca
Producer
Linda Thompson chronology
Fashionably Late
(2002)		Versatile Heart
(2007)		 Won't Be Long Now
(2013)

Versatile Heart is the third studio album by British singer-songwriter Linda Thompson. It was released on 14 August 2007 through Decca Records. It was recorded at various studios throughout New York City and the United Kingdom and was produced by Edward Haber (alongside Linda's son Teddy on certain tracks).

Contents

The album consists of originals written by Linda and other members of the Thompson family, alongside two covers. Guests appearing on the album include vocalist Anohni and guitarist Larry Campbell.

Much like her previous album Fashionably Late (2002), Versatile Heart did not find much commercial success but received positive reviews from critics. Linda would follow up the album with Won't Be Long Now in 2013.

Reception

Versatile Heart received positive reviews from critics. Writing for Pitchfork , Joshua Klein gave the album a rating of 7.5 out of 10 and stated the album "exudes class and weepy emotion". [2] The Guardian awarded the album four stars out of five, calling it a "classy comeback". [3] AllMusic called Versatile Heart a "stunning collection of ballads" and praised Linda's "ability to imbue songs of remorse, loss, and frustrated desire with a soulful beauty and an implied state of grace". [1]

Track listing

Versatile Heart
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Stay Bright" Teddy Thompson 1:31
2."Versatile Heart"
3:25
3."The Way I Love You"
  • L. Thompson
  • T. Thompson
3:57
4."Beauty" Rufus Wainwright 4:14
5."Katy Cruel"traditional, arranged by L. Thompson and John Doyle2:21
6."Nice Cars" Kamila Thompson 2:45
7."Do Your Best for Rock 'n Roll"
  • L. Thompson
  • T. Thompson
4:46
8."Day After Tomorrow"
5:04
9."Blue & Gold"
  • L. Thompson
  • T. Thompson
3:02
10."Give Me a Sad Song"
3:56
11."Go Home"L. Thompson4:31
12."Whisky, Bob Copper and Me"L. Thompson2:50
13."Stay Bright"T. Thompson1:46
Total length:44:09

Personnel

"Stay Bright"

"Versatile Heart"

"The Way I Love You"

"Beauty"

"Katy Cruel"

"Nice Cars"

"Do Your Best for Rock 'n Roll"

"Day After Tomorrow"

"Blue & Gold"

"Give Me a Sad Song"

"Go Home"

"Whisky, Bob Copper and Me"

  • Larry Bomback – tenor
  • T.J. Carollo – lead
  • Wayne Grimmer – baritone
  • Jeff Glemboski – bass

"Stay Bright"

  • Gregor Kitzis – violin
  • Paul Woodiel – violin
  • Martha Mooke – viola
  • Leah Coloff – cello

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References

  1. 1 2 "Linda Thompson – Fashionably Late". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  2. ↑ Klein, Joshua (31 August 2007). "Linda Thompson – Versatile Heart". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  3. ↑ Denselow, Robin (30 August 2007). "Linda Thompson – Versatile Heart". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
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