Henry the Human Fly is the debut solo album by Richard Thompson, his first release following his leaving former group Fairport Convention. It was released on the Island label in the U.K. and the Reprise label in the U.S.A. in April 1972. The album was reissued by Rykodisc in 1991. Thompson has stated that at one point this was the worst-selling album in the Warner Bros. catalog.

Production

Although Thompson's first solo album, two other ex-Fairport Convention members (Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings) make appearances. Linda Peters, who married Thompson shortly after the album was released, sings backup on Henry the Human Fly.

Critical reception

The Spin Alternative Record Guide called the songs "tinged with perversity and populated by oddballs," writing that it "reveals Thompson as the one Fairporter most fiercely determined to redefine folk rock at every turn." Mojo counted Henry the Human Fly as one of the hundred greatest guitar albums ever produced.

Track listing

All songs written by Richard Thompson.

Personnel