Richard Thompson

How could Richard Thompson be anything but amazing? It does not seem possible. On Saturday evening in Norwich he did not disappoint. As with his solo set at Cropredy in the summer he began with "Gethsemene" and for the next couple of hours he entertained with what he described as his "slow and miserable", "medium-paced and miserable" "faster" and "cynical" songs. Many of the favourites were there including "Beeswing", "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", "Down Where The Drunkards Roll", "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight". I was hoping for "She Twists The Knife Again", but everything else was stunning anyway - great playing, great singing. As the evening progressed he seemed to dispense with the chat between songs and just go from one song to the next. A nice touch was his tribute to Sandy Denny. Instead of singing his solo version of "Genesis Hall" from this year's "Acoustic Classics II" album, he chose to sing Sandy's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" also originally from Fairport Convention's "Unhalfbricking". Almost unprecedented in my experience of mostly mature Norwich audiences he was called back for three encores. The audience participation he requested for "Tear-Stained Letter" may not have gone quite to plan, but there can't have been many dry eyes when he finished with "Meet On The Ledge.

If I have one observation for improving the evening it would have to be that the music was too loud to hear with absolute clarity and sometimes the vocals were subservient to the guitar. However, as the evening went on and Richard Thompson warmed into his set he let his voice soar and swoop and it hit places I didn't know I had.

A special mention ought to be made of the support act for much of this tour, Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker. I had never come across them before, but what a delight to encounter unexpectedly musicianship of such outstanding quality. Ben's guitar playing was delicate and beautiful on steel-strung acoustic, classical and electric guitars while Josienne's spot-on vocals were a thing of wonder. She introduced the songs with confidence and humour and I would certainly make a point of going to see them again. Something about their skill and eclecticism reminded me of Moulettes, particularly in their early days. A nice, albeit brave, touch in their set was to open with Fairport's "Reynardine". Josienne, while not sounding in the least like a Sandy Denny tribute act, came the closest I've ever heard to someone matching Sandy's vocal warmth, power and sonority. They mixed some of Josienne's songs into the set and varied it with traditional fare and Ben's arrangement of an Elgar part-song. I'm not quite sure why they felt they should have had more than "one A-level between them" to sing it though. They played and sang quietly and the audience, though undoubtedly impatient to see Richard Thompson, gave full and rapt attention to Josienne and Ben.

Incredible show! First time I'd seen him. I only discovered him three months ago (!) and I am one year older than him. So far, I have 10 of his CDs and one is on its way. I connected with him and his music immediately and only wish I had found him sooner. I saw him in Rocky Mount, VA, on April 25 and in Durham, NC, on April 26. I'm not sure which concert I'm reviewing here; both were both awesome. The VA performance was in a 460-seat venue, the Harvester Performance Center,and I was in the front row! I was able to speak to him without raising my voice and we had several exchanges during the 90-minute set. He did two encores and played both the songs I spoke out to him. Very cool :-) He had his usual stage patter and had the audience laughing a lot. He played a year ago in the same venue and may come back later this year or next year. Great house. Great performer. The Durham, NC, concert was in a 1,000+ seat venue and I was in the 2nd row. The audience was larger, louder and drunker than in VA, and RT seemed really energized by the frequent applause, He again did two encoures and seemed truly appreciative of the audience response. A fellow in front of me would shout out, "Hell, YEAH!" every other song and stood up a lot :-) A few changes to the set from the night before but mostly in the encores. He's played fairly often in the Chapel Hll/Durham area, sometimes in intimate venues. He has many fans here. If you're a fan but have never seen him live, run don't walk to the next performance anywhere near you! You won't be disappointed. P.S. Two new acoustic CDs coming out in August so keep an eye out for those...

Richard Thompson OBE is an esteemed name on the British guitar circuit. He first found fame with Fairport Convention before going on to be recognised as one of the country's finest acoustic guitar performers. Over the years the likes of R.E.M, Bonnie Raitt, Christy Moore, Jefferson Starship, The Pointer Sisters and Elvis Costello have all covered his work yet there really is no substitute to seeing the real man live.

He has released albums consistently through his career and shows no sign of slowing despite the fact he is fast approaching his 70th birthday. When you see him perform you get the impression that music is not just something Richard enjoys, it is part of his very existence and he has an unmatched passion for the genres of folk and rock and has a total affinity with the acoustic strings. 'Tear Stained Letter' brings this great man's career together in a truly sincere performance and evokes huge cheers from the audience which are so deserved as Thompson takes his final bows.

Richard Thompson, is best known for his time in Fairport Convention, but that's just a tiny fragment of his output. Over the years, he's absorbed all manner of musical influences, leading to a very unique style and presence.

He's a superb songwriter; many have covered his work, and also a stunningly good guitarist. When you go to a Richard Thompson gig it might be a solo acoustic affair - I've had friends amazed by how he manages to play basslines, chords and solo lines simultaneously on a single acoustic guitar ('surely there must be a backing track' - he's that good). Or if it's a full band show, you'll hear his blistering electric solos.

Or it might be a more quirky show, like the tour where he performed covers of his favourite songs from the past 1000 years! Or a show of Elizabethan folk songs with period instruments.

But always accessible, engaging and with stunning musicianship. Thompson is a musician's musician.

Phew! A pell-mell tilt through some RTs back catalogue with an eclectic selection of guests. Starting with Hugh Cornwell (late of The Stranglers) who was in a school band with RT the rotating line up included Dave Pegg, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattocks, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Loudon Wainwright, Danny Thompson, Bob Mould, Judith Owers, Kate Rusby, Derek Smalls, Maddy Prior, Dave Gilmour and assorted members of the extended Thompson clan.

Highlights: following Dave Pegg's mandolin rendition of Down with the Drunkards Roll, with Bob Mould's full-on take on Turning of the Tide; the guitar/accordion duet that followed Beeswing; Linda Thompson's appearance onstage to huge applause; every single note Danny Thompson played; and the members of Fairport playing Who Knows Where the Time Goes with Olivia Chaney.

This was an absolute blast and I hope Richard enjoyed it as much as I did.

While I consider Thompson to be one of the premier artist today I was disappointed with the concert. The dirge like music all sounded the same and the orchestra relegated his guitar playing to secondary status. His guitar playing is what should be highlighted as I consider his guitar work to be one of the best in the world.
The emphasis was of commissioned work involving letters from dead soldiers put to music. while this is laudable and an interesting concept, in my opinion, it failed to generate a strong emotional connection. While Thompson can often be downbeat, this was even more so as can be imagined. While I made an effort to expand my thinking and be open to something new, I felt disconnected from the work. the second half was not much better as the orchestra, while competent and interesting, did not mesh well with his style.

Das Konzert war schlicht grossartig. Der intime Rahmen des Papiersaals hat beinahe hautnahmen Kontakt zugelassen. Richard und seine Combo spielten sehr engagiert, der Sound war ok (ein wenig zu laut).
Sein Gitarrenspiel ist einzigartig. Sein Melodiebögen sind so speziell ... er geht jedes Solo anders an, als man es erwartet und quält seine Strat bis auf's Letzte. Gefühl ohne Ende. Auch der akustische Teil war wunderschön, ich könnte stundenlang zuhören.
Es hat mich sehr gefreut, den Richard einmal live zu erleben.

On what was I believe his first performance in Belfast Richard Thompson brought the house down at the Belfast Empire music hall. With a great back up he produced a masterly display of new and older material delivered to an eagerly awaiting audience. Hopefully it will not be long until he is back though I doubt it will be in such an intimate venue. Five star performance.

13 Rivers tour Sage Gateshead 24th October 2018.

Good mix of songs from latest 13 Rivers album and plenty of old favourites. Fabulous and energetic guitar playing as ever. Band musicians were excellent.
Enjoyable and accomplished support act (Joan Shelley and Nathan Salsburg).

WOW, WOW, WOW. To have the privilege of being in his company for this performance was a gift, an amazing sight to see and hear. What a talent and legend in our time! Folk music is a story of the times and the music accomping is truly amazingly emotional. God has blessed us!