ISLAND/UMe REVISITS RICHARD THOMPSON

Nearly 50 years ago, Richard Thompson threatened to quit the music business, hard to believe today given his voluminous output and nonstop touring. The archival record that resulted from his "retirement" is getting a vinyl reissue.

Island/UMe will release the two-LP (Guitar, Vocal) A Collection of Unreleased and Rare Material 1967-1976—initially issued in 1976—on 3/25.

In 1976 Island Records responded to the news of Richard and Linda Thompson’s retirement by gathering previously unreleased recordings from Richard’s days with Fairport Convention as well as his and Linda's duo recordings to satisfy their growing fanbase.

The retirement didn’t last long: They returned in 1978 with First Light, then bestowed upon the listening public 1982’s landmark Shoot Out the Lights. They split thereafter; Richard’s been cranking out solo albums since 1983.