JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I see a lot of posts about musicians here, so I thought I would do one on one of my all-time favorites, Richard Thompson. If you’ve never heard of him, he is one of those musicians whose talent has always far exceeded his fame. He is a master songwriter and a world class guitarist on both acoustic and electric. In the ‘60s he was a founding member of the British folk-rock group Fairport Convention. After leaving them he played as a duo with wife Linda Thompson, and since they broke up he spits his time touring solo acoustic and playing electric with a band. His fan base may not be large, it is very devoted, some might say fanatical. We can’t understand why he isn’t better known, but we are happy to be able to see him in small venues.

I’ll start with his most beloved song, 1952 Vincent Black Lightening, a simple story of a boy, a girl, and a motorcycle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td2sewfxz88

I don’t know anyone who can rock harder playing solo acoustic, and Valerie is a good example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8SCOvLVjlE

Sometimes when hearing musicians you aren’t familiar with, it is useful to hear them cover a well known song. This is Woodstock from a televised Joni Mitchell tribute concert. Another musician was supposed to do it, but he was a no show, so Richard took it on with a couple hours notice and manage to make it sound like a ancient Celtic ballad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h54rRq2SAv0&list=RDh54rRq2SAv0&index=1

I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight may be the closest he ever came to having a hit - it made it to the middle of the British charts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go6-OOZaqK0

Now to transition from acoustic to electric, two songs he performs both ways, When the Spell is Broken, and Shoot Out the Lights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyxR8iU3Jxs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJe0pWKjgoE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNaLCXqfFIQ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyhiSjtwNj0

When Love Whispers Your Name starts out gently enough, then builds to one of his signature extended guitar solos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PommqrSzdTk

I’ll Never Give it Up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRsAWPhPN-Q

Bruce Springsteen and Richard Thompson both have songs using amusement park rides as metaphors. Bruce’s is Tunnel of Love, while Richard’s is The Wall of Death:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYE0J55DIrY

Lastly, a barn burner Richard often uses to close his shows, Tear Stained Letter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVDXYS-MxnE

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

He's always been one of my favorite artists since his Fairport Convention days. My wife and I have seen him live on several occasions and also loved the work he did with his ex wife Linda

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

Well John, I had never heard of him before. But after listening to some of his music you have highlighted..that will change..thanks for posting.

Texcaster Loc: Queensland

Richard Thompson is truly one of the men!! A thread just on all the covers of 52 Vincent wouldn't go astray.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

He's touring in the UK in October and three dates in August:

http://www.richardthompson-music.com/tour-dates/

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

The '1952 Vincent Black Lightening' was real great. He's a winner!

steve Loc: Iowa

i like him also

grillmaster5062

Fantastic guitarist and songwriter, highly underrated in my opinion. Dimming of the Day is one of his best. A true musician's musician.