“Pour Down Like Silver” is an album that almost never was, not that the general public gave a damn one way or the other. The Thompson’s albums were incredibly poor sellers, so it’s a wonder that their record label didn’t drop them outright.

In the mid-seventies, though, the record business operated on a different set of principles, such that faith and talent were enough to retain a loss leader, and Chris Blackwell of Island Records was enough of an iconoclast to let the Thompsons continue their career, despite abysmal sales figures. If that weren’t enough, Thompson himself was on the verge of quitting around this time. He and Linda had recently adopted Sufism and joined a commune where all followers obeyed the teachings of their mullah, who told Richard he could not play guitar and worship God simultaneously. Richard told his manager that he had no choice but to quit his career, until a compromise was arranged where Richard could continue to play, so long as his music was directed to God. As a matter of faith, Richard set about writing the songs that make up “Pour Down Like Silver”.

Not to sound disdainful or disrespectful, but any time an artist sets out to make music based solely on newfound faith, the results are usually disastrous, so it is something of a miracle that “Pour Down Like Silver” is an understated masterpiece. Each song may have been inspired by faith, but they play perfectly as secular music, particularly in regard to a relationship coming apart at the seams. “For Shame of Doing Wrong” may superficially address repentance, but the song’s undertow conveys deep sadness due to romantic betrayal, made even more potent as Linda sings her husband’s words, “Please don’t make me pay for my deceiving heart. Just turn up your lamp and let me in. I wish I was a fool for you again.” “Beat the Retreat” is equally astounding in its emotional portent, as Thompson sings about returning to a lover he selfishly abandoned. With his tail between his legs, he sings “This world is filled with sadness. I’m coming back home to you”. Even when professing faith, Thompson cannot resist cynicism and malevolence. “Streets of Paradise” may refer to a heavenly resting place, but it’s a destination that could be achieved through an entire variety of devious measures, including the will to “trade my little sister and my brother who went before, to be walking down the streets of paradise.”  

Where the couple’s previous album, “Hokey Pokey” had playful moments, “Pour Down Like Silver” is much more somber, and sober. “Dimming of the Day/Dargai” and “Night Comes In” are thoroughly humorless but potent guitar pieces, one electric, the other acoustic, both meant to convey faith but professing need as the basis for the faith. If these are songs of religion, they are some of the most convoluted expressions of faith I’d ever heard, expressed through earthly desires, fears and a strong sense of moral dissolution. For all of these reasons, “Pour Down Like Silver” contains some of the most profoundly interesting songs of Richard Thompson’s career.

Featured Tracks:

Streets of Paradise

For Shame of Doing Wrong

The Poor Boy Is Taken Away

Night Comes In

Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair

Beat the Retreat

Hard Luck Stories

Dimming of the Day/Dargai

November 1975 – Billboard Did Not Chart