Bob-Dubery
So much to enjoy there. Not only a great player (and I think the g... word is justified here) but also a great songwriter. He's one of those players who shines on both electric and acoustic. I don't think there's that many around - most do better on one than the other. (I'd cite Jimmy Page as another player who shines on acoustic and electic. Clapton would not be famous for his acoustic playing. Bruce Cockburn has something extra on acoustic that is not there when he plays electric).
The last couple of years I have three times had the opportunity to see Thompson in concert. Twice solo, once with his band (and with the electric guitar cranked up). I also had the privilege (and it was) to see Martin Carthy at a small venue in London in July. Amazing performance!
Squonk
I have a DVD "the four martins" with Martin Carthy doing a celtic type thing. I also used to have some Steeleye Span albums that featured Martin as well.
I still haven't got into Richard Thompson, which would be a good album to start with?
Bob-Dubery
Which one to start with? Hmmmm... he's got a 40 year career behind him now.
He was a member of the original Fairport Convention. I like the early Fairport albums, but I wouldn't recommend them as an introduction to Thompson.
The best of his early period - with then wife Linda - would be "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" and "Shoot Out The Lights". IWTSTBLT is not "guitar rich" he was playing a lot of acoustic at the time and more interested in songs than soloes - but there is some good playing and some fine songs. It's probably best categorised as "english folk rock". SOTL is more electric, much darker. There's no time to go into the whole history, but this album effectively restored his reputation as a player and relaunched his career. It's one of the essential Thompson albums.
The most recent is "Sweet Warrior". There's some very good playing on that, (and also the fantastic Danny "no relation" Thompson on bass on about 50% of the cuts) and a fair overview of Thompson's broad stylistic range.
Some long-time RT fans don't care for the production on "Rumor And Sigh", but I think that's a terrific album with huge depth in songwriting and great playing on some songs. That also includes "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" which is his best loved and most requested song.
He has made some great live albums available at gigs and via his website (www.richardthompson-music.com). If you want some serious electric guitar fireworks then get More Guitar!
Most of his live shows these days are Solo. Most fans choice of the album that represents Thompson in solo, acoustic live mode is Celtschmertz, but that is out of print now.
