Anyone who's seen Richard Thompson perform with just his acoustic guitar knows what the British guitar legend can bring to his songs. In the '80s, Thompson released and recalled his solo acoustic live album Small Town Romance, and he’s provided his studio albums with acoustic moments. But Acoustic Classics does exactly what many fans have wanted for years—giving them an excellently recorded album where Thompson runs through his finest songs with just his voice and acoustic guitar. It’s such an accomplished work of genius that Acoustic Classics could also serve as a perfect introduction to Thompson’s music for those who've somehow managed to avoid him all these years. Despite having played many of these songs hundreds of times, Thompson sings them here with the committed emotions of someone just unlocking their sentiments. And the guitar work? Please. Thompson’s been a rare player since the mid-‘60s, and he only sounds more brilliant when applying his skills to the likes of “Wall of Death,” “1952 Vincent Black Lightning,” “From Galway to Graceland,” and onward. It's essential in every way.