| Hand of Kindness | |
| Type: | Studio album |
| Artist: | Richard Thompson |
| Cover: | RT_Hok.jpg |
| Released: | June 1983 |
| Recorded: | 1983 |
| Studio: | Olympic Studios, London Ocean Way, Hollywood |
| Genre: | Rock, folk rock, zydeco |
| Length: | 41:15 |
| Label: | Hannibal Records |
| Producer: | Joe Boyd |
| Prev Title: | Strict Tempo! |
| Prev Year: | 1981 |
| Next Title: | Small Town Romance |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
Hand of Kindness is the third solo album by singer/songwriter/guitarist Richard Thompson. It was recorded and released in 1983, after a ten year collaboration with former wife Linda Thompson. It is his first album of original solo material since Henry the Human Fly (1972).
After having separated from Linda, and the "Tour From Hell" to promote the couple's Shoot Out the Lights, Richard resumed his own career as a recording and performing artist.
Several songs feature the twin saxophones of Pete Zorn and Pete Thomas, and for about 18 months after the release of Hand of Kindness, Thompson toured with his "Big Band" that featured the two sax players prominently.
The album opens with "Tear-Stained Letter", later a country music top ten hit for Jo-El Sonnier. In 2021, Thompson's ex-wife Linda cited album track "How I Wanted To" as her favorite of her former husband's songs.[1]
The album's cover photo features Thompson holding an acoustic guitar made for him by American luthier Danny Ferrington; the same guitar appears on the cover of Thompson's next release, Small Town Romance.