Action Packed: The Best of the Capitol Years

While the five albums that visionary singer-guitarist Richard Thompson recorded between 1988 and 2000 lacked the dark immediacy of his best work, this 19-song set sifts a string of gems from that period and adds a trio of worthy rarities. Spared the overall spottiness of the original album, it's hard not to be moved by the poignant empathy of ''King of Bohemia'' or the exhilarating dread of ''Bathsheba Smiles'' on Action Packed.