Richard Thompson, “Hand of Kindness” (1983); <i> Hannibal/Rykodisc</i>

“Hand of Kindness” had the misfortune of being Richard Thompson’s follow-up to “Shoot Out the Lights,” the album he recorded in 1982 with his then-wife and musical partner, Linda Thompson.

An inspired work that mirrored in strikingly honest terms the couple’s deteriorating marriage, “Shoot Out the Lights” ranks as one of rock’s all time great albums. But even though the more modest “Hand of Kindness” doesn’t possess its predecessor’s inherent drama, it remains a wonderfully eclectic, enduring statement.

Making his first record on his own since 1972, Thompson opted to spread his wings by amalgamating some vastly different musical textures. “Hand of Kindness” utilizes accordions, horns and upbeat Celtic rhythms as well as more traditional rock and folk elements. Such tracks as “Where the Wind Don’t Whine” and “Both Ends Burning” bring to mind some of Van Morrison’s early work in their ability to fuse various musical ingredients into something highly original. The album also features several straightforward Celtic numbers, including the playful and danceable “Two Left Feet.”

Perhaps the most emotionally compelling moments on “Hand of Kindness” arrive in the form of two ballads. The title track slithers forward with the help of Thompson’s twangy, arcane electric guitar figures. “Devonside” is another guitar-based song with some appealingly sweet and melancholy characteristics. Lyrically, the album finds Thompson both reflecting back on his failed marriage and looking forward to new love.