Some Kind Of Smelling Salts features songs from my personal playlist of musical stimulants and audio caffeine delivery systems; a distinct selection of creations and performances that I find to be deliciously intoxicating, undeniably invigorating and unapologetically addictive.

Listening not for the faint of heart.

The title comes from the second verse of the song “Recovery” by Frank Turner. (See the introductory post of …Smelling Salts published on February 17, 2019.)

Today’s dose is “Fire In The Engine Room,” a song by Richard Thompson.

It was the first song on the second side of his highly recommended 1985 solo LP, Across A Crowded Room. 

This is a “potboiler” – a term coined by producer George Martin – if I ever heard one.

See what I mean? (You did listen to that, didn’t you?)

“Fire In The Engine Room” was performed by:

• Richard Thompson – lead vocals & lead electric guitar
• Simon Nicol – 12-string Rickenbacker rhythm guitar
• Bruce Lynch – Bass
• Dave Mattucks – drums, percussion & keyboards
• Alan Dunn – accordion
• Pete Thomas – tenor saxophone
• Dave Bitelli – baritone saxophone
• Philip Pickett – shawm & crumhorn
• Christine Collister, Clive Gregson & Phil Barnes – backing vocals

Across A Crowded Room was recorded during September & October, 1984 at RAK Studios in London, England. Joe Boyd was the producer. The album was released in April 1985 on Polydor Records.