I wrote a post of appreciation for John Prine shortly before he passed away. It made me realize there are other artists for whom I’d like to share an appreciation while they are still active and hopefully have many more years with us. The first of these that came to mind was Richard Thompson.
Richard Thompson has long reminded me of a sharp, peaty single malt whiskey: an acquired taste that may not be for everyone but once you discover it you find yourself coming back time after time. He’s had an extraordinarily long career, starting in 1967 with Fairport Convention when he was just 17 and stretching now into its sixth decade. He’s still active, recently delivering a series of wonderfully intimate performances from his home during the Covid-19 quarantine (session one, session two).
For a time through the 1980s, I read about Richard Thompson’s skill as a guitar player and praises for the albums he did with his then-wife, Linda Thompson. But what little I heard of his actual music seemed a bit too sour and off-putting — like I said, an acquired taste. I admit I didn’t explore his music deeply until I first encountered him in concert.
I’ve been trying to track down the exact date when I first saw Richard Thompson in concert. I’m 99% sure it was at Wolf Trap in the early 1990s where he was a solo opening act, but I can’t find corroboration for the show. Nevertheless, it was a revelation. I was astonished by his acoustic guitar work on songs such as “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”, “Tear Stained Letter” and “Valerie” and charmed by his good humor and between-song banter. He was a much friendlier and more dynamic performer than I’d expected. His finger-picking guitar style was simply jaw-dropping. I’d never heard anyone play bass, rhythm and lead simultaneously with such electricity on an acoustic guitar. I was a convert. Joe was with me and he was hooked as well.
I’ve since seen him multiple times in various formats: solo, with his band, and touring with Loudon Wainwright. That last show was at a small theater at Goucher College in 2009 where I went with Gerard. It was a delightful, intimate evening with Richard and Loudon performing individually and a few songs together. Gerard got an autograph after the show; I was either too proud or too shy to stand in line but I got these photos.
I bought quite a number of Richard’s albums over the years, starting with Rumor and Sigh, still one of his best. I have at least half a dozen of his studio and live albums and thought I was doing pretty well until I recently looked at his entire discography. He’s built up an astonishingly deep catalog of more than 50 albums with his name on them, not to mention another hundred or so on which he appears. Even I find intimidating, not least because he sometimes puts out performances of the same songs with different studio, solo and band arrangements. It’s hard to know where to start or what to recommend.
I’ve pulled together a YouTube playlist that consists largely of live performances of his more accessible and lyrical songs, both solo and with various band formations. Call it an introductory primer. Many of the videos give a sense of Richard’s charm and skills in front of an audience.
I made an iTunes playlist that consists mainly of studio and different live performances which offer entirely different takes on his songs.
There’s a 1994 tribute album, Beat the Retreat, that I’ve also long enjoyed…but only covers the first half of his career.
Putting together this appreciation led me to the BBC documentary, Solitary Life, done in 2003. It provides an excellent overview of his early years with Fairport Convention, Linda Thompson and then solo. You can see him developing as a performer and seeming to get more comfortable with himself.
In sum, Richard Thompson is a most remarkable triple-threat songwriter, guitarist and performer that has brought me decades of enjoyment. If you’re not already a fan, I hope you give his music a try. You may not like everything, but I bet you’ll find some favorites of your own. And you can have the experience with less of a hangover than single-malt whiskey.
My review of Richard’s autobiography:
Beeswing, Richard Thompson, June 2021. Larry Harder gave me this autobiography of one of my favorite artists for my birthday which was a nice and mildly ironic gesture since I’d been trying to entice Larry to come to various RT concerts over the years, including his recent post-Covid gig in Annapolis. The book itself focuses on Richard’s start with Fairport Convention and early couple of solo albums, 1967-1975. While I grew to love his work from the 1980s on, his music of these early years has never grabbed me quite as strongly. I found it interesting to learn of his background, the formation and initial success of Fairport Convention and Richard’s conversion to Islam and Sufism, but in all, the book is entertaining but not essential. It doesn’t really pack the wit or insight of his own lyrics, innovative guitar playing or sharp concert patter between songs. Better to see him in person while one can. Then again, if he writes more volumes on his later years, I’ll be happy to read more.
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