Richard Thompson

Riaan

First time I heard of him, was when David Gilmour covered one of his songs, which was a really nice tune. Then I saw Bob mentioning him several times on the forum, obviously being a great fan. Being really tired of the stuff I've been listening to for the last 20 odd years, I recently began searching for new music, and got a Richard Thompson CD - Daring Adventures.

Boy, what an artist! The man has a great voice, and his compositions are something unique, just the something different and fresh I was looking for. Been listening to him over and over, and it looks like ol' Richard just got another fan.

Thanks Bob!! ?

Bob-Dubery

You're welcome.

Now for the bonus prize: Who was Al Bowlly?

Riaan

Had no idea who All Bowlly was, had to go read up a bit - very interesting. In short, the first "Pop Star" and "Crooner", with a South African connection nogal!

singemonkey

Riaan wrote: Then I saw Bob mentioning him several times on the forum,

Yes... "several" ?

Richard Thompson is definitely one of the greatest song-writers of the Baby-boomish generation. But not nearly as well known as you'd expect from the quality of his work. Still. That's just fine. It's kind of nice that he's not as well known as Bob Dylan or Paul Simon.

The surprising thing is that he's both a superb song-craftsman, and an excellent, memorable guitar player. Not a common combination.

Squonk

I have just acquired "Watching the Dark" which seems to be a bit of this and that of Richard Thompson's work pre 1993.
I notice on disc 3 "Al Bowlly's in Heaven"

Still have to listen ?

Bob-Dubery

Squonk wrote: I have just acquired "Watching the Dark" which seems to be a bit of this and that of Richard Thompson's work pre 1993.
I notice on disc 3 "Al Bowlly's in Heaven"

Still have to listen ?

That's a sort of "best of" or box set retrospective up until about 1992. What made it interesting was the fairly high proportion of previously unreleased tracks. In particular the near legendary live recording of "Can't Win" with a particularly mighty guitar solo, and 2 or 3 tracks from the album that Richard and Linda Thompson cut with Gerry Rafferty producing and which was never released.

OH... and you get some hurdy gurdy as well.

Bob-Dubery

singemonkey wrote:
Riaan wrote: Then I saw Bob mentioning him several times on the forum,
Yes... "several" ?

Bah! I've also made mention of Danny Thompson (no relation), but I'll bet that there are more common words than "Thompson" on GFSA. "Ibanez" for one.

singemonkey

X-rated Bob wrote:
singemonkey wrote:
Riaan wrote: Then I saw Bob mentioning him several times on the forum,
Yes... "several" ?
Bah! I've also made mention of Danny Thompson (no relation), but I'll bet that there are more common words than "Thompson" on GFSA. "Ibanez" for one.

Yes. But Ibanez aren't beardy, bereted, and British ?

Bob-Dubery

singemonkey wrote: Richard Thompson is definitely one of the greatest song-writers of the Baby-boomish generation. But not nearly as well known as you'd expect from the quality of his work. Still. That's just fine. It's kind of nice that he's not as well known as Bob Dylan or Paul Simon.

A quote from David Byrne: "Personally, being somewhat envious of Richard’s songwriting and guitar-playing, it’s somewhat satisfying he’s not yet achieved household-name status. It serves him right for being so good."

[deleted]

It seems RT is respected by his piers and fellow musicians more than the general public.
Which in a way is the probably the ultimate confirmation of how good this guy actually is.
He is big in Europe and has a big following in the USA none the less and I can guarantee he still has more than enough to keep him busy...

I have listened to plenty RT stuff since Bob first mentioned him, and he is a meticulous player, definitly one of the best song writers around, and I HOPE I get to watch him live oneday.

Wonderful... Just Wonderful!