Sunnyvista

"Sunnyvista"is the fifth album by Richard and Linda Thompson released in October 1979 on the Chrysalis label. After the artistic mismatch of the previous year's comeback album (First Light), the Thompsons made greater use on this album of backing musicians with whom they had previously worked. Sunnyvista is a curate's egg of an album in terms of its mood. Stylistically it covers wide ground and includes some of Richard Thompson's most overtly rocking songs - possibly reflecting pressure from the record label to deliver a commercially successful album. The closing track "Georgie on a Spree" (not included on the original vinyl album) is a remake of a song included on the Hokey Pokey album. It had been chosen as the theme tune for the BBC television drama Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry and the new version was issued as a single. The response to Sunnyvista by the critics and the public was lukewarm, and Chrysalis decided to not extend their relationship with the Thompsons. The settlement between artist and label left Thompson owning the master tapes for the two albums he had recorded for Chrysalis. The albums were later licensed to Joe Boyd's Hannibal label for re-issue on CD.