On May 13, 1983, “Rough Trade” label released “Variations on a Theme”, the second David Thomas studio album. It was recorded in March 1983, at “Suma Recording” in Painesville, OH, and was produced by David Thomas.

Personnel:

• David Thomas – vocals
• Jim Jones– guitar
• Jack Monck– guitar
• Richard Thompson– guitar
• Paul Hamann – bass guitar, engineering
• Anton Fier– drums
• Chris Cutler– drums
• Lindsay Cooper– bassoon
• Ken Hamann – engineer
• Adam Kidron– engineer
• Robert Vogel – engineer
• Mary Thomas – cover art, illustrations

Track listing:

All lyrics by David Thomas.

1. A Day at the Botanical Gardens – mucis by David Thomas
2. Pedestrian Walk – music by David Thomas, Eddie Thorton
3. Bird Town – music by Richard Thompson
4. The Egg & I – Anton Fier
5. Who Is It – Lindsay Cooper, Chris Cutler
6. Song of Hoe – David Thomas
7. Hurry Back – Jim Jones
8. The Rain – Chris Cutler, Anton Fier
9. Semaphore – Lindsay Cooper, Chris Cutler, Jack Monck