For those entirely unfamiliar with Richard Thompson, there is no harm in starting with the entirely obvious choices; 1952 Vincent Black Lightning and Beeswing. Because they are glorious.
I rate Richard Thompson as one of the greatest musicians let alone guitarists and songwriters in history. Saw him live and he’s every bit as good live. An absolute living legend.
Didn't him and Fairport Convention pretty much create the folk rock genre? Either way the man is an absolute Rock God in my eyes! It's so interesting too because you can call RT a rock God but he can still go to the mall on the weekends with his family and for the most part probably go unnoticed around 100s of people.
I have been lucky enough to see Richard Thompson in three different lineups - once with Linda Thompson in a criminally under attended gig in Hull I was stood literally two yards away from him in the front standing row able to watch him playing these really astonishing electric guitar solos. Imagine getting that close to Eric Clapton ! The second time I saw him was in a now demolished movie theatre (the Art Theatre) in Upstate NY where I lived for a few years. There he was playing solo acoustic guitar and he closed out his set with a barnstorming version of Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away commenting before hand at how much he'd been influenced by American music. He brought the house down with that one. The last time I saw him was with a touring band in Cardiff. That was also good and I hope to see him again once of these days.
Richard Thompson is the whole package - writes incredible tunes with unforgettable lyrics which are dark, funny, poetic and deeply moving, delivers it all with top class musicianship in vocals and guitar. For me he is the best, no question.
One of the best shows I ever saw was Mr Richard Thompson. The man bends guitar notes that no one else could ever make sound correct. They make no sense until you hear RT play them. Absolutely incredible. The same show had Danny Thompson on double bass, plugged into what looked like (and sounded like) a full Trace Elliot or SVT stack. Sonic excellence at both ends of the spectrum.
Danny is a legend, check out his bio and who he's played with. He and RT had a great relationship for years. Try to find a live RT "Al Bowlly's in Heaven" with Danny. Brilliant and no, they're not related.
Best compliment I ever got as a guitarist was a someone telling me they thought I played like him. I'm ok with that. (and i had played 25 years before I ever heard him!)
Often on my Twitch hangout streams, we listen to music and last week when I said "Oh you know what we should listen to?" Someone in chat randomly said "'52 Vincent Black Lightning?" And I was like "No. No we are not listening to...what? NO! Wow, no. No one is in that good a mood." It just completely pulverizes me, doesn't matter how many times I've heard it.
I got to open for him when he did a solo show in my hometown. He was super good. The coolest part was sitting in the dressing room before the show and hearing him noodling around, even making mistakes. Definitely something you don’t get to hear everyday.
I've seen him solo in a pub and full electric in several thousand seat theaters. All were transcendental experiences. Totally singular guitar, songwriting, and singing make RT an immense triple threat artist!
I saw him playing on his own in a pub in Croydon in 1982. He was brilliant and played several Hank Williams songs amongst his own stuff. Quite brilliant, but sometimes pointlessly nihilistic lyrically.
A solid gold legend. As a 12/13 year old I was often “dragged” to folk gigs by my Dad who was an ardent folk music fan. Being v self conscious at the time I was horrified at the prospect of being found to be engaged in something that might be considered uncool but I recall vividly seeing RT for the first time in the mid-90s at an arts center somewhere in the midlands and being absolutely blown away. I think it was an entirely acoustic show but I remember being mesmerized by his dexterity on the guitar and the sheer energy of his performance. He also has a gift for writing songs with a universal perspective that make just as much sense to a 12 year old boy as a 65 year old man. He can be dark in his writing themes, yes, but I suspect he’s just trying to be honest which is a quality to be applauded I think.
Thank you for this Justin !!! I have seen Richard Thompson 3 times and each show was flipping amazing ! I was a strange teen in the 80s as I somehow found Fairport ...Noone I knew in my Chicago USA world had any clue who this band was. I joined their fan club amd it was true love ever since, giving me the hankering to buy each album / cassette and eventually CD and now streaming. I WANT TO SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT & SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS are absolute masterpieces...as well many Thompson solo albums are pure genius !! A life without Richard Thompson and very early Fairport Convention/ Sandy Denny is a life forever deprived.
The Watching the Dark 3-disc retrospective set is absolutely amazing with unreleased live recordings. There are no words for the magnificence of his playing. The only problem with the set is it stops at 1992, and there is so much great material Richard Thompson has done since then. Thanks for this episode - Mr. Thompson is permanently and criminally underrated.
Thinking of buying that set. I read that the version of Now Be Thankful on it is a different mix to the "new stereo mix" from the Full House CD reissue. Do you know if it's also different to the original mono single mix? Thanks.
Thanks so much for this! Can’t believe he has flown by my radar for so long, what an absolute gem of an artist. On the positive side, discovering him so late, I now have decades of back catalogue to explore; which I have been doing since I watched this video and have been blown away by the amount of incredible tracks he has released. His songwriting reminds me of like a British Warren Zevon, another artist forever on my ‘very special artists’ list. Just amazing, thanks again for sharing
The outro solo of Grey Walls (from Rumour and Sigh) is UNGODLY out of this world. No one (that I’ve ever heard) could write or play something like that. It will make you a believer.
Absolutely love RT! He's untouchable as a guitarist! His lyrics are soo damn good too! I only discovered him through read about love in the 90s and just had to dig back through to listen to his other stuff. Been a massive fan ever since. Thanks for this Justin! Your channel always gives me a giggle and we need that right now.
love you justin. richard is my favourite guitar player in the world. the solo on hard on me , off the mock tudor album is visceral, edgy, and thrilling. devoid of rock cliches. of course , an amazing songwriter too. i love the stuff with linda.
The Mock Tudor studio version, and the live Semi-Detached Mock Tudor version, are both explosive pieces of music. Lyrically and otherwise. The lyrics can be tricky since he references The Wicker Man and not many outside the UK know that legend. RT might be the finest lyricist I know of when it comes to speaking of emotional boundaries, emotional difficulties, and the influences of one's life. I'd wager he's a very sensitive person. He's certainly very intelligent and he's quite funny, in stage banter and in interviews.
Nice to see that fans of Justin are taking the time to look up the work of Richard Thompson. Because of this video from Justin, all the Richard Thompson videos on my youtube channel have seen an increase in views and people are leaving comments referencing Justin, this means he is a great influencer as well as a great musician 😉
Massive RT fan for years, seen him a few times live - The man is an incredible Guitarist and songwriter. massive influence. Few guitarist can master acoustic and electric guitar the same he has.
Oh hell yeah!, 1952 Vincent black lightening and beeswing two of the greatest songs ever written, love this dude, love his songwriting, and what a monster guitarist, I got so excited I had to comment before even watching the video, I'm going to enjoy this one, hats off to you justin for introducing this genius to the masses who might not have heard of him.
@@sopwithsnoopy8779 he has some amazing stuff in his back catalogue, those two songs I mentioned are in my opinion perfectly written and performed, the lyrics, his voice, his playing, when I hear them I get a lump in my throat and goose bumps, infact, I'm off to listen to them right now. Richard Thomson is a criminally underrated artist definitely worth a deep dive into his albums.
I have a hard time performing "Bee's Wing" without crying...that last line..."If I could just taste all of her wildness now, if I could hold her in my arms today, then I wouldn't want her any other way"...just kills me. Every time.
@@TheFlowNetwork those lines get me too, I suppose we all have that one wild one that got away and those lines and the vocal delivery just spark a memory, and the lines "like a fox caught in the headlights there was animal in her eyes" is so perfectly descriptive of someone I used to know. It makes me both happy and sad all at once. Just Brilliant.
I got to know the music of the Thompson family because I was a huge fan of the Wainwright's (Loudon, Rufus, Martha et al). My husband had the honor to engineer (master) a release by Teddy Thompson called 'Thompson Family Album' in 2014 -- it features Teddy singing with his mom and dad and other extended family. Teddy is also a musical genius and can sing any genre to perfection.
One of RT's live albums you can get from Beeswing Records has Teddy on it. He sings and plays some woodwinds I think. Hard to imagine Teddy having less than musical genius given who his parents are.
I first discovered Richard Thompson at Cropredy Festival in like 2014 or something. I'd never heard of him before, and I was just wandering around. As soon as he came on and started playing, there was an absolutely awesome inspiring sound of ten thousand people being quiet at the same time so they could hear him. A wonderful and captivating performer.
Richard Thompson is a phenomenon, both on electric and acoustic guitar; also an outstanding composer and a uniquely expressive singer. I've followed his career since the second Fairport album (first one released in US.) He's the artist I seen live most often. Brilliant, humble, and woefully underexposed.
I've listened with interest to many musicians over about 45 years now, and one thing I'd say is that the greatest talents NEVER are "popular" or well-known. What is well-known is a lot of mediocrity. The same holds true for novels/writers. I saw RT live 3x in the 1980s, have not seen him live since, but I listen to him often. No musician is more interesting to me, or a greater example of lyrics and skillful playing, than Richard Thompson. I can't think of any who have been as good, for as long, as RT.
Wall Of Death is a fantastic song, he is a supremely talented writer and guitarist and does a nifty cover of Britney Spears Oops I Did It Again which makes you forget the original........
He wrote the lyrics for Fairport's song 'Meet On The Ledge'. One of the finest songs I've ever heard. Let's not forget Sandy Denny and Iain Matthew's vocals on that one.
So good to give Thompson some recognition! I was born into folk rock household - so he was really front and centre of my musical upbringing (along with Fairport, Show of Hands etc and the Cropredy festival). Thanks Justin 👊
Possibly my all time favourite song. I read the other day that Swarbrick wrote the music and Richard wrote the lyrics, which surprised me a little. Always thought it sounded like a Thompson melody/chord sequence. A masterpiece either way.
My Father got me interested in Fairport Convention many years ago, thanks Dad. He thought Sandy Denny had the voice of an Angel so we had one of her best and his favourites played at his funeral, "who knows where the time goes". It makes me smile when I hear it now with happy thoughts of my old Dad. God rest his soul. For anyone who has not heard Richard Thompsons solo work, the " Acoustic Classics" album is a great place to start.
I was introduced to Richard Thompson, through Bob Mould. I highly recommend Bob Mould's first solo albums, "Workbook", and especially "Black Sheets of Rain". The song "Black Sheets of Rain" is one of the best/darkest songs ever, pure beauty. And as a side note to that song, a live acoustic version by Ryan Adams is astounding! so, there's that, enjoy
Do you know the album "Beat the Retreat: Songs of Richard Thompson"? It's a Richard Thompson tribute album featuring a whole range of interesting folks, including Bob Mould doing "Turning of the Tide". If you've never heard it, please seek it out!
You can hear how Mould would imitate Thompson's phrasings on the album Flip Your Wig especially. Listen to Divide and Conquer, it's like Mould heard RT and said, more thickness, more amplification, about 1.5x the pace, let's go....
Been a fan since Fairport, seen him live dozens of times, sat at his feet for a week at his Frets and Refrains Music Masters Camp while he taught, among other things , "1952 Vincent Black Lightening". The man is a treasure. Not to be missed if he plays anywhere near you.
This makes me so happy. I recorded and mixed 2 albums with Richard and it was one of the greatest pleasures of my life. And yes, the albums are mostly live. Couple overdubs but usually he takes solos on the live takes. We comp later.
This is an unexpected artist for you to talk about, but makes complete sense as any guitarist worth his salt will know how damn good Thompson is. I saw him live for the first time around 2007 at the Cambridge Corn Exchange and was knocked sideways by how spellbinding his playing was. Not only the playing, also as a lyricist. He has almost too much talent for one man!
He was brilliant as a young man too. Go back in time, listen to Liege & Lief by Fairport Convention. That album is full of musical brilliance, including Sandy Denny's singing.
I defy anyone to listen to Fairport's 'Now be thankful' live in 1970 at a festival and not be moved to tears... I can sort of play it on guitar but those ancient sounding lyrics and their harmonies ( RT and Dave Swarbrick)..... Just heavenly!
Been following Richard Thompson for 40 years or more, his music and skill on guitar and in song writing is amazing. His singing voice is unique, and is full of raw emotion.
@@honeychurchgipsy6 understandable that your favourites change so regulary, the man has a incredible back catologue and we have not even mentioned his live albums!
@@malcolmbillington2864 - so true! Have you heard More Guitar, that's a great one for mentally brilliant guitar solos? Never had a general release, but it is available via his web site. I'm still discovering RT music - having only been a fan for around 12 years - there's a lot to get through - lol!!!
@@honeychurchgipsy6 one of many great live albums that never had a general release. Also look at the quality box sets he has to his name. I hope you enjoy discovering the man as much as i did. He is no doubt a "legend" worthy of the name.
@@malcolmbillington2864 - Agreed, I've seen him live several times but missed a show in 2019 because my car broke down on the way there. It took me a while to get over that. I've since seen him twice: once was a solo acoustic show at Sidmouth, and then at his 70th birthday thingy at the Albert Hall. Both were great - but I have to see him again with the electric guitar and the band as soon as possible.
Always delighted anytime I see people bring up Richard thompson! He has so many fantastic songs that I've listened to for ages and they still evoke a genuine emotional response and are undeniably a pleasure to listen to. If I had to pick just a few to recommend I'd say Beeswing (maybe the most achingly beautiful retrospective song about lost love ever), Shoot Out the Lights (love Mr. Thompson's riffing and guitar tone on this one), 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (Absolutely flawless utterly cool love song of all things with some stunning fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing) and I Wanna See the Bright Lights Tonight (This is just a ridiculously fun and eclectic absolute jam of a pop song, and the title track from probably the best overall record of his entire career...the bits from the horn section get me every time). Those are a great starting place for one sitting and different and interesting enough to give an Idea of how varied his stuff is. If you dig those he has at least a handful of great albums but my favorites are I Wanna See The Bright Lights Tonight (his ex-wife Linda is great too!) and Rumour and Sigh (My favorite of his solo recordings) The Fairport Convention stuff is great folk music and the Nick Drake stuff he played on is Brilliant too, give it all a chance!
In case you don't know it: Check out his work as a sideman for David Thomas on two of his albums. Thomas was and still is the singer and leader of teh American avantgarde rock band Pere Ubu. A pretty unlikely musical ambience for someone like Thompson. yet he not only does, he also sounds just like someone, who's been doing this kind of stuff for decades. Highly recommended: His solo on the title track of David Thomas' "The Sound Of The Sand" album. Just pure beauty. And the other stuff on the record, plus the album "Variations On A Theme". Unbelievable, that this man was in Fairport Convention. True virtuosity and versatility.
Thanks Justin. Richard is one of the special ones, where after a few seconds you can tell the song is his and you can pick his playing (the same goes for BB King, Clapton, Carlos Santana and two you may not have heard of, Australian guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Ian Moss (of Cold Chisel)), even when he occasionally plays covers. Also a mention of another favourite, the underappreciated Nick Drake. I saw Richard at a solo gig in Adelaide, South Australia quite a few years back (at The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Adelaide's prime small live music venue, a special 800 km/ 500 mi round trip) and it was one of my favourite shows (I haven't seen many shows, due to living and working in small country towns a long way from the city for many years but I saw Elton John in 1973, Paul McCartney and Wings in 1975 (we bought the last tickets next to the amps and couldn't see anything, so we went and stood at the side of the stage with the roadies and no one told us to get lost, so we had a great time), Brian Ferry in 1977 (sadly not Roxy Music), ELO in 1978 (all while at high school/university) and more recently, in retirement, after 40 years of waiting Bruce Springsteen in 2017 and U2 2019). My favourite songs of Richard's are "1952 Vincent Black Lightning ", "I Misunderstood", "Don't Tempt Me", "Cooksferry Queen" and "Persuasion"(collaborating with another favourite Tim Finn of NZ legends Spilt Enz. An interesting coincidence is that the film that Richard wrote the music, including "Persuasion" for called "Sweet Talker" in 1991, was filmed in the area where I live and some of the students I taught at the local high school got to be extras in it). I talk too much, even through the written word. Thanks again Justin for your great channel.
Thank you Justin. Love your work. I'm a recent convert to the music of RT. My late uncle who gave me the gift of music and playing guitar took me to see RT. I had no knowledge of his music before seeing him live and loved every minute of his show and become an instant fan.
Listening to Justin Talk just reminds me how lucky I was to have seen/heard him live with Fairports in ‘68 because he’s been an ever present in my life since then.
I read RT's autobiography recently. It covers until the mid-70s. EXCELLENT read! Got it from the local public library here in Nashville....Was I surprised to see it on the shelf!!!!
I have to be honest, normally I already have a good knowledge of the music you recommend but this artist is one I had no previous knowledge of...….and I really dig his tracks! So thank you for expanding my musical playlist Justin, Nice one! ^_^
I saw RT for the first time in 1992 when he was playing acoustic gigs promoting the Rumour and Sign album. Fantastic live performer and I've seen him many times since. Seeing him in September 2022.
RT's 'Grizzly Man' soundtrack is finally being released this month, 17 years after the film. Better late than never, I guess. There are also two side projects that any RT fan should know about: French, Frith, Kaiser, and Thompson had two records and both are worthy, and RT's collaboration with Danny Thompson, called 'Industry,' is a concept album about the industrial revolution. Unfortunately 'Industry' may be out of print, but absolutely worth a little effort to find.
I’m so glad you mentioned that about Grizzly Man! I’ve loved Richard’s work on that but have trouble finding it streaming. The title track completely does me in, it’s so gorgeous! Thanks!
🤔…..indeed, a unique and amazing musician! I first saw him when he performed at the All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell. His live performance cover of “Woodstock” was absolutely sensational. It’s easy to find on RUclips - worth checking out, no doubt!
I listened to Fairport Convention back in the early 70's and followed Richard's solo career off an on though lost track several years ago. he's an amazing musician
Justin! Just discovered you going down a random Richard Thompson rabbit hole. You are so great. I'll be checking out all of your other stuff. Cheers from Chicago.
Love the content and great to see RT getting a little love on the channel Justin. I think a good few people overlook him due to the 'folk' tag he's given back & forth, but he certainly knows how to rock out when he wants to. Looking forward to any follow-up video you might do on him in the future!
Thompson is just marvelous. I enjoyed his Fairport and solo work for years before finally seeing him (and band) live on the Mock Tudor tour, which was one of the most delightful shows I've ever seen.
Upvoted and I haven't even watched the video yet. He's such a magic songwriter and one of the few guitar players whose really-long solos I actually really like. They're so musical yet with unexpected twists around every turn Edit post-watching to add: Yes, his singing is a whole mood. And the solo from "Love In a Faithless Country," is like a gorgeous dark classical composition, all beautifully, perfectly almost off-kilter in the most stunning way and then landing (as JH said), over and over, just perfectly Thankful to the friends who turned me on to Richard Thompson!
@@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain speaking of folk music have you heard the later works of David Lindley. I think you would appreciate his craft on the album Big Twang, cheers!
@@StereoTyp0 , been a Lindley fan for years; saw him with ElRayo-X a number of times, and some duets with Hani, or Wally, on percussion. I especially love his covers of Warren Zevon, and Frizz Fuller. "Quarter of a Man" easily makes my top 10 list of best songs *ever*!
Beeswing is such a beautiful song . That and Vincent black lightening 1952 are in my all time top 20 songs. Richard doesn't always get the recognition he deserves so it's Great to see you do a video on him Justin 👍
Thanks, Justin. More people need to know about RT. He can do absolutely anything in a variety of styles but you know that already. You could do one video about his live stuff alone. The solo on ‘Can’t Win’ from ‘More Guitar’ is amazing. My favourite albums are ‘Mock Tudor’ and ‘Dream Attic’ but they’re all good.
Ah Richard. One of my desert island artists. Surprisingly I discovered him late night on MTV . He actually had a video for When the Spell is Broken.Of course Richard would probably be the last musician you'd expect to have a video, but thankfully he did so that I could discover him. I doubt he's ever made another.
I first discover RT through Fairport Convention..."What we did on our Holidays" and "Hey Day" albums. Then I discovered "Rumor And Sigh". I've covered a number of his songs over the years..."Dimming Of The Day", "Read About Love", "Bee's Wing" and a Rockabilly version of "1952 Vincent Black Lightning". So many great songs. Both his electric and acoustic playing are superb. His version of "Oops I did it again" is not to be missed.
When I saw the 1000 Years of Popular Music show I was prepared to weep for the babies of Bonnie St. Johnstone, hiss at Sam Hall and smile at Waiting at the Church. I wasn’t prepared to be so moved by the acoustic trio’s version of Noel Coward’s London Pride. His account of the resilience of Londoners during the blitz is so deep and triumphant.
Thanks for putting the spotlight on Thompson 🤟 Seen him live twice, solo. He can change a broken guitar string in no time and keep the crowd entertained at the same time. Absolutely love "When I get to the Broder"! Huuuge, and unbelievable discography. From the solo albums I'd like to pick out the rocking "Mock Tudor" and the moodier, acoustic 'Front Parlour Ballads'
He's broken two string - one each on two different occasions - on gigs I've attended; here in Sweden at that; all this while singing out Twist and shout - hilarious. Apparently he does so now and then, break strings. One of the pundits on 1st row shouted directly at BANG: TWIST AND SHOUT :))))
Nice going pre-recording all of the before your US tour Justin. Great continuity and excellent content, throughouly enjoying your work. Keep it coming.🤙
One of my favorites from Thompson is Vincent Black Lightning, love the story there. Growing up around Bluegrass, one of my heroes in that area Del McCoury did a bluegrass rendition of it, and is a top cover in my opinion. Thompson is heavily underrated overall.
I was working as an usher at a theatre in Milton Keynes for one of his gigs before I knew who he was. I’ve seriously never seen one man and a guitar do such a fantastic gig, I can thoroughly recommend him even if you don’t know much of his stuff. 😊👍🤘
Persuasion is my favourite! i did a cover recently of it but it doesn't hold a candle to the rendition he did with Teddy. discovering richard thompson has been such a great gift recently.
I've been blessed to see Richard live three times, in various settings. He's confident yet humble onstage and dazzling as a guitarist, breathtaking as a songwriter and moving as a singer. For a great introduction, check out "Beat The Retreat," a tribute album. Bonnie Raitt totally nails "When The Spell Is Broken" and the Loudon Wainwright III and Shawn Colvin duet on "Heart Needs A Home" will tug at your heart and not let go.
I feel you. also to be recommended is 'Richard Thompson at the BBC', 4-disc collection which includes those solo sessions he did for Andy Kershaw back in the 80s. Different recordings of the same song in some cases, all fantastic. Possibly most-played recordings in my collection.
Thank you for the video and the playlist! 😀👍 I've known Richard Thompson for many years, since '83 when I was 13, but I still know way too little of his Music!
I enthusiastically recommend the 5 CD box set "RT: The Life and Music of Richard Thompson" on Free Reed records. It ain't cheap, but it's worth every penny. Regards.
On strike until we hear about Jethro Tull and/or Ian Anderson. Any man who decides he's going to start a rock band and be the lead singer as well as first chair flute deserves an episode. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if you two were distantly related. There's something in that gene pool.
@@mcolville You're probably right on both counts. I love me some dad rock and yacht rock and prog rock. I like all the rocks, or minerals as Hank would have it. You're right about Tull. Tull is the path to the prog side. Tull leads to Floyd. Floyd leads to Genesis. Genesis leads to Yes. Eastern wisdom aside, from a sheer performance perspective, Tull's concerts in the 70s really paved the way for the spectacles we've come to expect in a modern rock concert. On top of that, as a performer, Ian Anderson (love him or hate him and I know many hate him) is a showman par excellence. If you've never seen a man grunt and snort into the business end of a flute for fifteen minutes while standing on one leg in a spotlight before 50,000 fans then you're missing out.
@@jtfritchie Yes, that's a great point you raise. It's remarkable and it's not just the flute, he plays another ten instruments or so. He's one of a kind.
@@OTOss8 ...and Yes leads to the death of Yes, with trash can rock: Owner of a Lonely Heart. But I agree with the arc generally. Some put King Crimson along with, or in place of, Genesis. And you left out Gentle Giant. And Hawkwind. Which begat Motorhead.
Off to see him in Ipswich in July. Solo or in a band he's always fantastic. He's got more great stuff in his discard pile than most artists have recorded
For those entirely unfamiliar with Richard Thompson, there is no harm in starting with the entirely obvious choices; 1952 Vincent Black Lightning and Beeswing. Because they are glorious.
The closing riff of 1952 VBL is a perfect channeling of a motorcycle running off into the distance.
Absolutely the right songs for someone seeking to get a sense of Thompson's style!
Dad's Gonna Kill Me, Persuasion, he's written so many brilliant songs
The duo with Bonnie Raitt, Dimming of the Day, is a favorite of mine.
When the Spell is Broken should be with those two fine acoustic numbers.
I rate Richard Thompson as one of the greatest musicians let alone guitarists and songwriters in history. Saw him live and he’s every bit as good live. An absolute living legend.
Didn't him and Fairport Convention pretty much create the folk rock genre? Either way the man is an absolute Rock God in my eyes! It's so interesting too because you can call RT a rock God but he can still go to the mall on the weekends with his family and for the most part probably go unnoticed around 100s of people.
I have been lucky enough to see Richard Thompson in three different lineups - once with Linda Thompson in a criminally under attended gig in Hull I was stood literally two yards away from him in the front standing row able to watch him playing these really astonishing electric guitar solos. Imagine getting that close to Eric Clapton ! The second time I saw him was in a now demolished movie theatre (the Art Theatre) in Upstate NY where I lived for a few years. There he was playing solo acoustic guitar and he closed out his set with a barnstorming version of Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away commenting before hand at how much he'd been influenced by American music. He brought the house down with that one. The last time I saw him was with a touring band in Cardiff. That was also good and I hope to see him again once of these days.
I would say he’s even so much better live! Songs get so hard and the solos are insane - magnificent shows
He absolutely is.
Richard Thompson is the whole package - writes incredible tunes with unforgettable lyrics which are dark, funny, poetic and deeply moving, delivers it all with top class musicianship in vocals and guitar. For me he is the best, no question.
Sorry mate, Richard and Danny are the whole package.
One of the best shows I ever saw was Mr Richard Thompson. The man bends guitar notes that no one else could ever make sound correct. They make no sense until you hear RT play them. Absolutely incredible. The same show had Danny Thompson on double bass, plugged into what looked like (and sounded like) a full Trace Elliot or SVT stack. Sonic excellence at both ends of the spectrum.
Danny is a legend, check out his bio and who he's played with. He and RT had a great relationship for years. Try to find a live RT "Al Bowlly's in Heaven" with Danny. Brilliant and no, they're not related.
I saw Richard Thompson play a couple of months ago and he was an incredible as ever.
Best compliment I ever got as a guitarist was a someone telling me they thought I played like him. I'm ok with that. (and i had played 25 years before I ever heard him!)
Iii iiiI’m i iiis I’m just having some
@@daveguitarnowski4402 Brother, if I played guitar and someone told me that, I'd think I'd gone to the moon. That's fine praise.
Fairport Convention are one of the most beautiful musical collectives ever assembled and total respect to you Justin
Often on my Twitch hangout streams, we listen to music and last week when I said "Oh you know what we should listen to?" Someone in chat randomly said "'52 Vincent Black Lightning?"
And I was like "No. No we are not listening to...what? NO! Wow, no. No one is in that good a mood."
It just completely pulverizes me, doesn't matter how many times I've heard it.
Ya, that's an amazing one!!!
Wow. Matt Colville is a fan of Justin Hawkins. What an amazing combination of cool youtube people!
@@solitudinous6508 what is this, a crossover episode?
He's certainly up there. 'Beeswing' is my all time favourite.
Oh, I love that song! So beautiful, so sad - bittersweet.
Yes that is one incredible song
Yeah, mine as well. The Futureheads recorded acapella version of this song, that's how I've heard about the man.
I got to open for him when he did a solo show in my hometown. He was super good. The coolest part was sitting in the dressing room before the show and hearing him noodling around, even making mistakes. Definitely something you don’t get to hear everyday.
I've seen him solo in a pub and full electric in several thousand seat theaters. All were transcendental experiences. Totally singular guitar, songwriting, and singing make RT an immense triple threat artist!
I saw him playing on his own in a pub in Croydon in 1982. He was brilliant and played several Hank Williams songs amongst his own stuff. Quite brilliant, but sometimes pointlessly nihilistic lyrically.
A solid gold legend. As a 12/13 year old I was often “dragged” to folk gigs by my Dad who was an ardent folk music fan. Being v self conscious at the time I was horrified at the prospect of being found to be engaged in something that might be considered uncool but I recall vividly seeing RT for the first time in the mid-90s at an arts center somewhere in the midlands and being absolutely blown away. I think it was an entirely acoustic show but I remember being mesmerized by his dexterity on the guitar and the sheer energy of his performance. He also has a gift for writing songs with a universal perspective that make just as much sense to a 12 year old boy as a 65 year old man. He can be dark in his writing themes, yes, but I suspect he’s just trying to be honest which is a quality to be applauded I think.
Thank you for this Justin !!!
I have seen Richard Thompson 3 times and each show was flipping amazing ! I was a strange teen in the 80s as I somehow found Fairport ...Noone I knew in my Chicago USA world had any clue who this band was. I joined their fan club amd it was true love ever since, giving me the hankering to buy each album / cassette and eventually CD and now streaming.
I WANT TO SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT & SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS are absolute masterpieces...as well many Thompson solo albums are pure genius !!
A life without Richard Thompson and very early Fairport Convention/ Sandy Denny is a life forever deprived.
Would also include the superb Pour Down Like Silver among the great Richard & Linda Thompson albums. Might even be the best of the lot, imo.
The Watching the Dark 3-disc retrospective set is absolutely amazing with unreleased live recordings. There are no words for the magnificence of his playing. The only problem with the set is it stops at 1992, and there is so much great material Richard Thompson has done since then. Thanks for this episode - Mr. Thompson is permanently and criminally underrated.
That’s a great place to start for the uninitiated. It was beautifully put together.
Thinking of buying that set. I read that the version of Now Be Thankful on it is a different mix to the "new stereo mix" from the Full House CD reissue. Do you know if it's also different to the original mono single mix? Thanks.
Thanks so much for this! Can’t believe he has flown by my radar for so long, what an absolute gem of an artist. On the positive side, discovering him so late, I now have decades of back catalogue to explore; which I have been doing since I watched this video and have been blown away by the amount of incredible tracks he has released.
His songwriting reminds me of like a British Warren Zevon, another artist forever on my ‘very special artists’ list. Just amazing, thanks again for sharing
The outro solo of Grey Walls (from Rumour and Sigh) is UNGODLY out of this world. No one (that I’ve ever heard) could write or play something like that. It will make you a believer.
Its based on a true story, which Richard relates in his memoir "BeesWing".
Love Richard Thompson. Spent the 90s listening to his work inside and out. A giant.
Absolutely love RT! He's untouchable as a guitarist! His lyrics are soo damn good too! I only discovered him through read about love in the 90s and just had to dig back through to listen to his other stuff. Been a massive fan ever since. Thanks for this Justin! Your channel always gives me a giggle and we need that right now.
love you justin. richard is my favourite guitar player in the world. the solo on hard on me , off the mock tudor album is visceral, edgy, and thrilling. devoid of rock cliches. of course , an amazing songwriter too. i love the stuff with linda.
The Mock Tudor studio version, and the live Semi-Detached Mock Tudor version, are both explosive pieces of music. Lyrically and otherwise. The lyrics can be tricky since he references The Wicker Man and not many outside the UK know that legend.
RT might be the finest lyricist I know of when it comes to speaking of emotional boundaries, emotional difficulties, and the influences of one's life. I'd wager he's a very sensitive person. He's certainly very intelligent and he's quite funny, in stage banter and in interviews.
Nice to see that fans of Justin are taking the time to look up the work of Richard Thompson. Because of this video from Justin, all the Richard Thompson videos on my youtube channel have seen an increase in views and people are leaving comments referencing Justin, this means he is a great influencer as well as a great musician 😉
How lovely!
Massive RT fan for years, seen him a few times live - The man is an incredible Guitarist and songwriter. massive influence. Few guitarist can master acoustic and electric guitar the same he has.
Thank you for this. Richard Thompson is such an amazing artist. Great spotlight.
Oh hell yeah!, 1952 Vincent black lightening and beeswing two of the greatest songs ever written, love this dude, love his songwriting, and what a monster guitarist, I got so excited I had to comment before even watching the video, I'm going to enjoy this one, hats off to you justin for introducing this genius to the masses who might not have heard of him.
Those are the only 2 songs of his that I am familiar with. But great, great songs!
@@sopwithsnoopy8779 he has some amazing stuff in his back catalogue, those two songs I mentioned are in my opinion perfectly written and performed, the lyrics, his voice, his playing, when I hear them I get a lump in my throat and goose bumps, infact, I'm off to listen to them right now. Richard Thomson is a criminally underrated artist definitely worth a deep dive into his albums.
I have a hard time performing "Bee's Wing" without crying...that last line..."If I could just taste all of her wildness now, if I could hold her in my arms today, then I wouldn't want her any other way"...just kills me. Every time.
@@TheFlowNetwork those lines get me too, I suppose we all have that one wild one that got away and those lines and the vocal delivery just spark a memory, and the lines "like a fox caught in the headlights there was animal in her eyes" is so perfectly descriptive of someone I used to know. It makes me both happy and sad all at once. Just Brilliant.
I got to know the music of the Thompson family because I was a huge fan of the Wainwright's (Loudon, Rufus, Martha et al).
My husband had the honor to engineer (master) a release by Teddy Thompson called 'Thompson Family Album' in 2014 -- it features Teddy singing with his mom and dad and other extended family. Teddy is also a musical genius and can sing any genre to perfection.
What an honour indeed! Great album too.
The Persuasion duet is just pure bliss
One of RT's live albums you can get from Beeswing Records has Teddy on it. He sings and plays some woodwinds I think. Hard to imagine Teddy having less than musical genius given who his parents are.
I first discovered Richard Thompson at Cropredy Festival in like 2014 or something. I'd never heard of him before, and I was just wandering around. As soon as he came on and started playing, there was an absolutely awesome inspiring sound of ten thousand people being quiet at the same time so they could hear him. A wonderful and captivating performer.
Richard Thompson is a phenomenon, both on electric and acoustic guitar; also an outstanding composer and a uniquely expressive singer.
I've followed his career since the second Fairport album (first one released in US.) He's the artist I seen live most often. Brilliant, humble, and woefully underexposed.
I've listened with interest to many musicians over about 45 years now, and one thing I'd say is that the greatest talents NEVER are "popular" or well-known. What is well-known is a lot of mediocrity. The same holds true for novels/writers.
I saw RT live 3x in the 1980s, have not seen him live since, but I listen to him often. No musician is more interesting to me, or a greater example of lyrics and skillful playing, than Richard Thompson. I can't think of any who have been as good, for as long, as RT.
Wall Of Death is a fantastic song, he is a supremely talented writer and guitarist and does a nifty cover of Britney Spears Oops I Did It Again which makes you forget the original........
Oops I did it again!! I wasn't sure if you were serious....you were. And yes, what a fucking treat!! Thankyou 👍
Really? That's got to be worth looking up!
@@miaschu8175 , it's on RUclips. Look for Thompson's "1000 Years of Popular Music" concert video.
He wrote the lyrics for Fairport's song 'Meet On The Ledge'. One of the finest songs I've ever heard. Let's not forget Sandy Denny and Iain Matthew's vocals on that one.
He wrote the entire song, not just the lyrics.
Have a feeling he wrote the melody too. It just is Richard through and through
So good to give Thompson some recognition! I was born into folk rock household - so he was really front and centre of my musical upbringing (along with Fairport, Show of Hands etc and the Cropredy festival).
Thanks Justin 👊
Not a solo song but I always loved "Now be thankful" written by Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbrick.
Possibly my all time favourite song. I read the other day that Swarbrick wrote the music and Richard wrote the lyrics, which surprised me a little. Always thought it sounded like a Thompson melody/chord sequence. A masterpiece either way.
My Father got me interested in Fairport Convention many years ago, thanks Dad. He thought Sandy Denny had the voice of an Angel so we had one of her best and his favourites played at his funeral, "who knows where the time goes". It makes me smile when I hear it now with happy thoughts of my old Dad. God rest his soul.
For anyone who has not heard Richard Thompsons solo work, the " Acoustic Classics" album is a great place to start.
Oh, Calvary Cross. Never fails to stop me in my tracks.
Let's hear it!
Thank you for your awesome suggestions.
Much love to you Mr. Hawkins!
I was introduced to Richard Thompson, through Bob Mould. I highly recommend Bob Mould's first solo albums, "Workbook", and especially "Black Sheets of Rain". The song "Black Sheets of Rain" is one of the best/darkest songs ever, pure beauty. And as a side note to that song, a live acoustic version by Ryan Adams is astounding! so, there's that, enjoy
Do you know the album "Beat the Retreat: Songs of Richard Thompson"? It's a Richard Thompson tribute album featuring a whole range of interesting folks, including Bob Mould doing "Turning of the Tide". If you've never heard it, please seek it out!
I love BM but damn, Black Sheets... is a tough listen. Really bleak and discordant.
Saw Bob in London doing Shoot out the lights. Kevin Shield was there too I think...funny how quality atracks quality.
You can hear how Mould would imitate Thompson's phrasings on the album Flip Your Wig especially. Listen to Divide and Conquer, it's like Mould heard RT and said, more thickness, more amplification, about 1.5x the pace, let's go....
Been a fan since Fairport, seen him live dozens of times, sat at his feet for a week at his Frets and Refrains Music Masters Camp while he taught, among other things , "1952 Vincent Black Lightening". The man is a treasure. Not to be missed if he plays anywhere near you.
This makes me so happy. I recorded and mixed 2 albums with Richard and it was one of the greatest pleasures of my life. And yes, the albums are mostly live. Couple overdubs but usually he takes solos on the live takes. We comp later.
This is an unexpected artist for you to talk about, but makes complete sense as any guitarist worth his salt will know how damn good Thompson is. I saw him live for the first time around 2007 at the Cambridge Corn Exchange and was knocked sideways by how spellbinding his playing was. Not only the playing, also as a lyricist. He has almost too much talent for one man!
He was brilliant as a young man too. Go back in time, listen to Liege & Lief by Fairport Convention. That album is full of musical brilliance, including Sandy Denny's singing.
I'm seeing him there tonight! First time going to one of his sets
@@watermelon1835 you’re in for a treat
Richard Thompson is truly an artist. His performance of Season of the Witch is my favorite.
Thanks for mentioning that, I've never heard it and now I have to.
@@seanoneil277 It's on RUclips and it's incredible:
ruclips.net/video/ui0GSsTHTlI/видео.html
Hey, Justin, I just saw your show in NYC, and I've been a Richard Thompson fan for millions of years. Thanks for posting!
I defy anyone to listen to Fairport's 'Now be thankful' live in 1970 at a festival and not be moved to tears... I can sort of play it on guitar but those ancient sounding lyrics and their harmonies ( RT and Dave Swarbrick)..... Just heavenly!
The studio version is fantastic too.
Been following Richard Thompson for 40 years or more, his music and skill on guitar and in song writing is amazing. His singing voice is unique, and is full of raw emotion.
Your thoughts on Nick Drake would be interesting, to hear! I was obsessed with his music, (discovered it in the late 1990s) and still love it.
I'm always impressed by anyone who has the good taste to admire RT. I think more of Mr. Hawkins for this appreciation.
incredible guitar player and songwriter. 13 rivers is a stunning album, every house should own Mock Tudor.
@malcolm billington - two of my current (I say current because this changes regularly) RT favourites. 13 Rivers is my current driving fav.
@@honeychurchgipsy6 understandable that your favourites change so regulary, the man has a incredible back catologue and we have not even mentioned his live albums!
@@malcolmbillington2864 - so true! Have you heard More Guitar, that's a great one for mentally brilliant guitar solos? Never had a general release, but it is available via his web site. I'm still discovering RT music - having only been a fan for around 12 years - there's a lot to get through - lol!!!
@@honeychurchgipsy6 one of many great live albums that never had a general release. Also look at the quality box sets he has to his name. I hope you enjoy discovering the man as much as i did. He is no doubt a "legend" worthy of the name.
@@malcolmbillington2864 - Agreed, I've seen him live several times but missed a show in 2019 because my car broke down on the way there. It took me a while to get over that. I've since seen him twice: once was a solo acoustic show at Sidmouth, and then at his 70th birthday thingy at the Albert Hall. Both were great - but I have to see him again with the electric guitar and the band as soon as possible.
Couldn’t agree more. He’s incredible. The solo in ‘Put it there pal’ gets me every time.
He’s an amazing guitarist and songwriter, and I love his voice. He’s in my top five favorite guitarists for sure!
Been a fan since "Introducing Henry The Human Fly". "I Wanna See The Bright Lights" is an excellent place to start.
Always delighted anytime I see people bring up Richard thompson! He has so many fantastic songs that I've listened to for ages and they still evoke a genuine emotional response and are undeniably a pleasure to listen to. If I had to pick just a few to recommend I'd say Beeswing (maybe the most achingly beautiful retrospective song about lost love ever), Shoot Out the Lights (love Mr. Thompson's riffing and guitar tone on this one), 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (Absolutely flawless utterly cool love song of all things with some stunning fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing) and I Wanna See the Bright Lights Tonight (This is just a ridiculously fun and eclectic absolute jam of a pop song, and the title track from probably the best overall record of his entire career...the bits from the horn section get me every time). Those are a great starting place for one sitting and different and interesting enough to give an Idea of how varied his stuff is. If you dig those he has at least a handful of great albums but my favorites are I Wanna See The Bright Lights Tonight (his ex-wife Linda is great too!) and Rumour and Sigh (My favorite of his solo recordings) The Fairport Convention stuff is great folk music and the Nick Drake stuff he played on is Brilliant too, give it all a chance!
Mock Tudor is my favorite album! Well done Justin!
Well done Justin, I was named after Richard Thompson, grew up with his music and eventually taught myself to play some of his songs, thanks for this
Good for you, promoting great musicians.
In case you don't know it: Check out his work as a sideman for David Thomas on two of his albums. Thomas was and still is the singer and leader of teh American avantgarde rock band Pere Ubu. A pretty unlikely musical ambience for someone like Thompson. yet he not only does, he also sounds just like someone, who's been doing this kind of stuff for decades. Highly recommended: His solo on the title track of David Thomas' "The Sound Of The Sand" album. Just pure beauty. And the other stuff on the record, plus the album "Variations On A Theme". Unbelievable, that this man was in Fairport Convention. True virtuosity and versatility.
Thanks Justin. Richard is one of the special ones, where after a few seconds you can tell the song is his and you can pick his playing (the same goes for BB King, Clapton, Carlos Santana and two you may not have heard of, Australian guitarists Tommy Emmanuel and Ian Moss (of Cold Chisel)), even when he occasionally plays covers. Also a mention of another favourite, the underappreciated Nick Drake. I saw Richard at a solo gig in Adelaide, South Australia quite a few years back (at The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Adelaide's prime small live music venue, a special 800 km/ 500 mi round trip) and it was one of my favourite shows (I haven't seen many shows, due to living and working in small country towns a long way from the city for many years but I saw Elton John in 1973, Paul McCartney and Wings in 1975 (we bought the last tickets next to the amps and couldn't see anything, so we went and stood at the side of the stage with the roadies and no one told us to get lost, so we had a great time), Brian Ferry in 1977 (sadly not Roxy Music), ELO in 1978 (all while at high school/university) and more recently, in retirement, after 40 years of waiting Bruce Springsteen in 2017 and U2 2019). My favourite songs of Richard's are "1952 Vincent Black Lightning ", "I Misunderstood", "Don't Tempt Me", "Cooksferry Queen" and "Persuasion"(collaborating with another favourite Tim Finn of NZ legends Spilt Enz. An interesting coincidence is that the film that Richard wrote the music, including "Persuasion" for called "Sweet Talker" in 1991, was filmed in the area where I live and some of the students I taught at the local high school got to be extras in it). I talk too much, even through the written word. Thanks again Justin for your great channel.
Ah ha, the much lauded RT episode. I thought it was was never coming but here it is. Good work @justin
Richard is one of the most unique and talented musicians in the world today.
Thank you Justin. Love your work. I'm a recent convert to the music of RT. My late uncle who gave me the gift of music and playing guitar took me to see RT. I had no knowledge of his music before seeing him live and loved every minute of his show and become an instant fan.
Listening to Justin Talk just reminds me how lucky I was to have seen/heard him live with Fairports in ‘68 because he’s been an ever present in my life since then.
I read RT's autobiography recently. It covers until the mid-70s. EXCELLENT read! Got it from the local public library here in Nashville....Was I surprised to see it on the shelf!!!!
I have to be honest, normally I already have a good knowledge of the music you recommend but this artist is one I had no previous knowledge of...….and I really dig his tracks! So thank you for expanding my musical playlist Justin, Nice one! ^_^
I saw RT for the first time in 1992 when he was playing acoustic gigs promoting the Rumour and Sign album. Fantastic live performer and I've seen him many times since. Seeing him in September 2022.
Calvary Cross is one of those godly songs that is just so simple but nails it so perfectly.
RT's 'Grizzly Man' soundtrack is finally being released this month, 17 years after the film. Better late than never, I guess. There are also two side projects that any RT fan should know about: French, Frith, Kaiser, and Thompson had two records and both are worthy, and RT's collaboration with Danny Thompson, called 'Industry,' is a concept album about the industrial revolution. Unfortunately 'Industry' may be out of print, but absolutely worth a little effort to find.
I’m so glad you mentioned that about Grizzly Man! I’ve loved Richard’s work on that but have trouble finding it streaming. The title track completely does me in, it’s so gorgeous! Thanks!
Thompson is one of the great artists. His guitar is unique and his lyrical abilities is up there with the greats his music is a genre unto itself.
Missed this when you first posted it. I too respect his work.
🤔…..indeed, a unique and amazing musician! I first saw him when he performed at the All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell. His live performance cover of “Woodstock” was absolutely sensational. It’s easy to find on RUclips - worth checking out, no doubt!
I listened to Fairport Convention back in the early 70's and followed Richard's solo career off an on though lost track several years ago. he's an amazing musician
Justin! Just discovered you going down a random Richard Thompson rabbit hole. You are so great. I'll be checking out all of your other stuff. Cheers from Chicago.
This man is an absolute legend. I met him and Linda twice while running a folk club in East London.
I love those Richard & Linda thompson albums- every one is quality.
Thanks for the heads up here. Never heard him before but I'd heard of him. I'm really liking what I hear.
Enjoy!
Wish I could like this video more than once. It's a great intro to the incomparable RT. Well done Justin.
Love the content and great to see RT getting a little love on the channel Justin. I think a good few people overlook him due to the 'folk' tag he's given back & forth, but he certainly knows how to rock out when he wants to. Looking forward to any follow-up video you might do on him in the future!
Thompson is just marvelous. I enjoyed his Fairport and solo work for years before finally seeing him (and band) live on the Mock Tudor tour, which was one of the most delightful shows I've ever seen.
Only yesterday i was playing him. SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS has some of the maddest, brilliant guitar work ever heard
If you want great guitar work, check out the CD "More Guitar", which is available on Richard Thompson's website. You will not be disappointed!
Shoot Out the Lights is like "Rumble" on meth, with lyrics. Purportedly written about a sniper or tank commander when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan.
Seeing Richard Thompson changed everything I thought I'd learned about playing guitar, and sent me right back to square one.
Upvoted and I haven't even watched the video yet. He's such a magic songwriter and one of the few guitar players whose really-long solos I actually really like. They're so musical yet with unexpected twists around every turn
Edit post-watching to add: Yes, his singing is a whole mood. And the solo from "Love In a Faithless Country," is like a gorgeous dark classical composition, all beautifully, perfectly almost off-kilter in the most stunning way and then landing (as JH said), over and over, just perfectly
Thankful to the friends who turned me on to Richard Thompson!
Ps, one friend, who'd worked with him, said he was a surprisingly happy, good-humored guy considering how deep-dark a lot of his lyrics are
Having seen Mr Thompson live several times, I'm happy to hear you gush about him!
He's wonderful!
@@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain speaking of folk music have you heard the later works of David Lindley. I think you would appreciate his craft on the album Big Twang, cheers!
@@StereoTyp0 , been a Lindley fan for years; saw him with ElRayo-X a number of times, and some duets with Hani, or Wally, on percussion. I especially love his covers of Warren Zevon, and Frizz Fuller. "Quarter of a Man" easily makes my top 10 list of best songs *ever*!
Beeswing is such a beautiful song . That and Vincent black lightening 1952 are in my all time top 20 songs. Richard doesn't always get the recognition he deserves so it's Great to see you do a video on him Justin 👍
Thanks, Justin. More people need to know about RT. He can do absolutely anything in a variety of styles but you know that already. You could do one video about his live stuff alone. The solo on ‘Can’t Win’ from ‘More Guitar’ is amazing. My favourite albums are ‘Mock Tudor’ and ‘Dream Attic’ but they’re all good.
Ah Richard. One of my desert island artists. Surprisingly I discovered him late night on MTV . He actually had a video for When the Spell is Broken.Of course Richard would probably be the last musician you'd expect to have a video, but thankfully he did so that I could discover him. I doubt he's ever made another.
Hello fellow chair dancer! Love your little boogie moments on this channel, I love seeing people genuinely and passionately enjoying music, thanks 🙂
Thank you Justin! I’ll say it again, “ Mock Tudor”. Everyone, do yourself a favor and listen to it. Amazing !
I first discover RT through Fairport Convention..."What we did on our Holidays" and "Hey Day" albums. Then I discovered "Rumor And Sigh". I've covered a number of his songs over the years..."Dimming Of The Day", "Read About Love", "Bee's Wing" and a Rockabilly version of "1952 Vincent Black Lightning". So many great songs. Both his electric and acoustic playing are superb. His version of "Oops I did it again" is not to be missed.
His acoustic playing is totally unique
Thankyou for doing a episode on Richard Thompson. 'Persuasion' is an absolute classic. His son Teddy is great as well. 👌🏻
When I saw the 1000 Years of Popular Music show I was prepared to weep for the babies of Bonnie St. Johnstone, hiss at Sam Hall and smile at Waiting at the Church. I wasn’t prepared to be so moved by the acoustic trio’s version of Noel Coward’s London Pride. His account of the resilience of Londoners during the blitz is so deep and triumphant.
My late friend Pete used to cover beeswing when he used to come round to play guitar, I always get emotional when I hear that song, so beautiful.
Thanks for putting the spotlight on Thompson 🤟
Seen him live twice, solo. He can change a broken guitar string in no time and keep the crowd entertained at the same time.
Absolutely love "When I get to the Broder"!
Huuuge, and unbelievable discography. From the solo albums I'd like to pick out the rocking "Mock Tudor" and the moodier, acoustic 'Front Parlour Ballads'
He's broken two string - one each on two different occasions - on gigs I've attended; here in Sweden at that; all this while singing out Twist and shout - hilarious. Apparently he does so now and then, break strings. One of the pundits on 1st row shouted directly at BANG: TWIST AND SHOUT :))))
Nice going pre-recording all of the before your US tour Justin. Great continuity and excellent content, throughouly enjoying your work. Keep it coming.🤙
Seen him play live so many times. He is fantastic!!
One of my favorites from Thompson is Vincent Black Lightning, love the story there. Growing up around Bluegrass, one of my heroes in that area Del McCoury did a bluegrass rendition of it, and is a top cover in my opinion. Thompson is heavily underrated overall.
Best motorcycle song EVER!
My dad used to book him for the Crewe and Nantwich folk club back in the day:)
I was working as an usher at a theatre in Milton Keynes for one of his gigs before I knew who he was. I’ve seriously never seen one man and a guitar do such a fantastic gig, I can thoroughly recommend him even if you don’t know much of his stuff. 😊👍🤘
Persuasion is my favourite! i did a cover recently of it but it doesn't hold a candle to the rendition he did with Teddy. discovering richard thompson has been such a great gift recently.
I had not heard of him so thanks for the playlist. I'm going to have a gander
I've been blessed to see Richard live three times, in various settings. He's confident yet humble onstage and dazzling as a guitarist, breathtaking as a songwriter and moving as a singer. For a great introduction, check out "Beat The Retreat," a tribute album. Bonnie Raitt totally nails "When The Spell Is Broken" and the Loudon Wainwright III and Shawn Colvin duet on "Heart Needs A Home" will tug at your heart and not let go.
I feel you. also to be recommended is 'Richard Thompson at the BBC', 4-disc collection which includes those solo sessions he did for Andy Kershaw back in the 80s. Different recordings of the same song in some cases, all fantastic. Possibly most-played recordings in my collection.
Thank you for the video and the playlist! 😀👍 I've known Richard Thompson for many years, since '83 when I was 13, but I still know way too little of his Music!
I enthusiastically recommend the 5 CD box set "RT: The Life and Music of Richard Thompson" on Free Reed records. It ain't cheap, but it's worth every penny. Regards.
He sounds like a guitarist's guitarist. I can't wait to hear it all
There's a CD entitled "More Guitar" available on Richard Thompson's website. It is fantastic.
Thanks Justin. A very interesting analysis. I’ve followed him since his Human Fly days. Cheers!
On strike until we hear about Jethro Tull and/or Ian Anderson. Any man who decides he's going to start a rock band and be the lead singer as well as first chair flute deserves an episode. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if you two were distantly related. There's something in that gene pool.
I get this feeling Justin isn't big into Prog. Dad Rock, yes. Prog? Though Tull does sort of straddle that line, so maybe!
@@mcolville You're probably right on both counts. I love me some dad rock and yacht rock and prog rock. I like all the rocks, or minerals as Hank would have it. You're right about Tull. Tull is the path to the prog side. Tull leads to Floyd. Floyd leads to Genesis. Genesis leads to Yes. Eastern wisdom aside, from a sheer performance perspective, Tull's concerts in the 70s really paved the way for the spectacles we've come to expect in a modern rock concert. On top of that, as a performer, Ian Anderson (love him or hate him and I know many hate him) is a showman par excellence. If you've never seen a man grunt and snort into the business end of a flute for fifteen minutes while standing on one leg in a spotlight before 50,000 fans then you're missing out.
@@OTOss8 and self-taught at that. Saw a reaction video of a professional flautist watching Ian Anderson play. She was amazed.
@@jtfritchie Yes, that's a great point you raise. It's remarkable and it's not just the flute, he plays another ten instruments or so. He's one of a kind.
@@OTOss8 ...and Yes leads to the death of Yes, with trash can rock: Owner of a Lonely Heart. But I agree with the arc generally. Some put King Crimson along with, or in place of, Genesis. And you left out Gentle Giant. And Hawkwind. Which begat Motorhead.
French Painters, Cuban revolutionaries, Richard Thompson and Frank Spencer.
Off to see him in Ipswich in July. Solo or in a band he's always fantastic. He's got more great stuff in his discard pile than most artists have recorded
Listening to "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" at least twice a week keeps me sane. And has for many, many years.