Richard & Linda Thompson - Dimming of the Day (live 1981)

[aprilglaspieable]

He should have married Maddy Prior.

[daf827]

This is truly a rare gem, especially with Richard playing banjo. This song slays me every time I hear it.

[ReflectiveBrian]

It is hard to describe how this song effect me. There are so many beutful versions, which must a sign of a great song.

You pick your artist and enjoy what you hear, but you should always look for different ways of performing any song.

[morgaffi]

This sort of music leaves me speechless...

[amarime]

my god what have they done to now days music!

[TheRestlesswind1]

Is is wrong to like a particular song too much?

Not with words and melodies like this one...sung and played at a pace and with sincerity as done in this particular version. Little Jenna I think of you with a mothers love...rest with angels x

[stjulienlepauvre]

This is my (informal, obviously) nomination the saddest & one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Linda & Richard are musical geniuses.

[paul29671]

Richard let that one get away, he messed up

[jefffrane]

It's wonderful that other artists have covered this song, but seriously, pay attention! This was written by Richard Thompson specifically for Linda and it's ridiculous to claim that another artist, no matter how gifted, has produced a superior version. Pull your head out of your arse and listen. This is it, the definitive version. Full stop and fkc off.

[pkallen58]

Truly my favorite rendition.



[secondjustice247]

You haven't heard anything until you listen to Aissa Lees singing this.

[danL1011]

@secondjustice247 Haha. You are the 2nd person to mention Aissa (AJ) Lee. How is it possible that the version by a 9 yr old can embody these adult lyrics more than other singers? There is something magical about Aissa's singing.

AJ Lee's version (at 9!) is my favorite over this one (so-so vocals), Bonnie Raitt's (too rough), Alison Krauss (too sweet), and David Gilmour (prefer a female voice for this song).

[daeusto]

You have a cloth ear...

[gomvictor]

Sorry, there's just no argument any longer - best version is by Alison Krauss (on Paper Airplane). She makes LT sound as though she is shouting which is not right for this song. Alison's voice is perfect with its hint of vulnerability and yearning and so amazingly complemented by that deep, rich dobro of Jerry Douglas.

[zythophile]

@gomvictor - you genuinely have no idea what you are talking about. This song IS Linda's, and Linda is this song. Even the Everley Brothers hailed her as "the 'Dimming of the Day' lady", and sang it to her in tribute.

[gomvictor]

@zythophile - I have no idea what I am talking about? Well, at least I can spell Everly Brothers correctly,

It's all a matter of personal opinion and preference so no need for abuse. "even" the Everly Brothers? - their opinion is no more legitimate than mine (or "even" yours) but I suspect they had not actually heard Alison Krauss's version when they made that tribute - have you checked with them whether they still hold that view?

[fpngan]

@gomvictor THIS! Alison Krauss's just makes my hair stand on my arms

[LesHouserockerWilson]

thank you for posting this - videos of Linda are sadly rather rare . Her best recorded version of this though , I think , is on her ' Dreams Fly Away - History of Linda T. ' CD . She looks very nervous of the cameras on this . Great to see though .

[alan4sure]

Checkout 9 yr old AJ Lee, you'll be amazed at her rendition---spot on.

[hallettscove]

.Her pain is palpable here and she sings this great song with such poignancy.

[beanjoe]

this song is so good that even sing by any singer you can imagine it would still be good

[Teddyb1939]

I have heard Gilmour & Raitt versions & indeed Richards own solo but to my ears this great song is best performed by Richard & linda together.Before you all go ballistic I would add at once,I, also love the afore mentioned versions.

[padraigpurseal]

@Teddyb1939

I agree I was lucky enough to have seen them do it once long long time ago it was just too good for words, but I know what mean a good song is a good song is a good song.... no metter who sings it.

[Teddyb1939]

@padraigpurseal I am really pleased that you saw them do this great song,if a little envious.As you probably know the recorded version is off the album Pour down like silver, a magic album, with Mattocks Pegg Aly BainI( am wondering if the Nic Jones on the album,playing fiddle,is the great singer & guitarist!!.The Island label had some magic artists recording for them at the time.

[padraigpurseal]

@Teddyb1939

A lot of that old Island stuff has been reissued.

As far as Nic Jones is concerned I don't think so but it is a long long long time ago but I really don't think so. But I do know somebody who will and as soon as I can get in touch with him I'll let you know.

Seasons Greating while I think of it Just listening to Hokey Pokey "The sun never shines on the poor"

[msmoonbeam91]

awsome music

[shoutingthomas]

I'm so sick of hearing "Gilmour's version is better! ARRRGh. Do you have no ears? No one on earth sings it with more depth and nuance than Linca, and Gilmour, talented as he may be, is not a spot on Richard as a guitar player. Gilmour turns in a nice, unexceptional version. And even though I like well enough, he never wrote a song this good on his best day. Of course, no one else has either.

[ekaminar]

@shoutingthomas So let me guess this straight. You dislike those comments, yet you're fine by trash talking even MORE in the opposite direction? Your comment comes off more acidic than any of those other ones. Let's not state subjective statements as if they're facts. Everyone has their own preference. And let's not forget that Gilmour was merely showing his appreciation by covering this song. Not trying to be "better" than anyone.

[ekaminar]

@shoutingthomas But you also claimed that no one has ever better written a better song than this.  Now, while this is an amazing beautiful song, I'm going to go ahead and disregard all of your opinions haha ;)

Best song ever written? Come on.

[mahajohn]

@shoutingthomas It's barely fair to compare anyone's songwriting to Richard Thompson's! The guy has literally written at least five of the best songs in the canon of Western music. Pink Floyd was more about themes and moods and transcendence, not songs in the classic vein. They're both equally awesome though, right?

[berend1959]

David Gilmour is the best version.

[pickinpedaler]

Of all the versions of this I've seen... banjo & concertina? Brilliant!

[shoutingthomas]

@pickinpedaler I thought the same thing on viewing the video. But upon listening to the original recording since then, both the banjo and concertina are there, but they're mixed in more. And I don't care what anyone says, yes, this is the most beautiful love song ever written, and many people have done credible version, but not a on is in the same league as the original Richard and Linda Thompson version.

[duckbiter]

@pickinpedaler,@shoutingthomas - couldn't agree more with everything you say.

But who is playing guitar; we don't see the artist, so maybe it was pre-recorded by Robert?

[McGrenzer]

When she says NEED, she means it!

[Sacuv]

Agree with 99% posted below. The most poignant love song I know

[vanu49]

Probably the most beautiful lovesong ever..and Linda's melancholy voice kinda uplift ye...

Tks 4 the upload.

Have a nice day.

Vanu.

[frankrot]

Awesome!

[meo9duoi]

awesome! but i couldnt find the mp3 file :(

[MrDesign1111]

This is so pure and beautiful. So much great music has come from these two extremely talented individuals who were destined to be together like this. I'm so glad this moment in time was recorded. I also thank whoever it is for posting this.

[kiddap]

Otispuss, it was taken down from youtube for ages. Or else this is another performance only put up recently

[fredinstead55]

This is a gem! Despite all they were going through Linda's singing & Richard's accompanying harmonies & picking are superb. An absolutely classic song performed with a raw emotional perfection. Thanks for posting.

[Otispuss2]

@fredinstead55 Yeah - I think true artists can take their personal feelings and channel them through their art; which, apparently is what was happening here. I always get a lump in my throat listening to it.

[Otispuss2]

There's no justice. A clip like this with only 1100 views? This classic gets 5 stars. Thank you for posting.

[NewGods101]

@Otispuss2 Where's the Justice/ Where'e the sense?

[hclee]

Thank you for posting this clip... One of my all time favourites.

[Ze18613]

This is great, never seen this video. Thanks a lot!