Richard Thompson - “you know it’s time to go when the audience starts throwing chairs”
Музыка
Richard Thompson first appeared onstage aged 14 playing Beatles covers in a school group “so bad we were pelted with pennies”. Sixty years later his range of operations includes touring solo and with his band, occasional reunions with Fairport Convention, residencies on Adriatic cruise ships and running a Guitar Camp in the Catskill Mountains (along with his sons and grandson). Much has he seen and learned about live entertainment along the way and he talks to us here from his home on the American East Coast on the day of the solar eclipse. Among the highlights …
… memories of the Marquee in 1965 - the Who, the Yardbirds, the Spencer Davis Group: “if you wanted to see both sets, you’d have to walk ten miles home”.
… seeing Nick Drake and the value of being “a silent, tortured genius”.
… life as a support act and how to “attack an audience”.
… Carl Perkins and Chuck Berry at the Finsbury Park Astoria in 1963 “when Chuck was at the height of his attention span”.
… Segovia at the Festival Hall.
… the perils of playing on sea cruises in rough weather.
… old and current album sleeves. “Dressed as a fly and now dressed as a fisherman … that’s progress.”
… how Ian Anderson and Captain Beefheart told the audience who’s boss.
… and watching the Band at the Albert Hall from a box with Fairport Convention.
----------------------
Richard Thompson tour dates …
www.ticketmaster.co.uk/richar...
Order the new album Ship To Shore here …
www.amazon.co.uk/Ship-Shore-R...
----------------------
Subscribe to Word In Your Ear on Patreon for early - and ad-free! - access to all of our content, plus a whole load more!: / wordinyourear
Пікірлер: 53
Surely the most consistently brilliant recording artist with a 50+ year career.
Love Richard Thompson!
What a legend Richard is.
One Richard Thompson, there's only one Richard Thompson! Long may seabirds perch on his shoulders!
This man is such a national treasure in the proper sense. A brilliant musician, songwriter and singer. Seen him live a few times, his back catalogue is amazing. A delight to hear and see him in interview as he is so down to earth and interesting.
I’m so glad I saw Richard - accidentally - when he opened for Crowded House. He was terrific!
Simply can't wait for the new album. Richard is a master of his instrument with a bottomless well of songs to may us think, feel, and enjoy. Saying he's a national treasure doesn't even begin to describe him.
Top man. Saw him at Bristol Beacon recently, seen him before but nowhere near enough. At the Beacon, brilliant. A kevel above just about everyone.
Love the songwriting advice: "It's a crowded field, so don't bother!" He is one of a kind.
Had the honour of witnessing Mr Thompson dominate the stage at Trowbridge Folk Fest, many years back. Totally fullfilled his legendary status.
Great interview, guys. Going to see Richard tomorrow night. Can't wait.
Being a youngster 😉 I missed the first part of Richard's career, but I saw him do Tear Stained Letter on Whistle Test and loved him ever afterwards.
@doodahdavesrecords4319
2 ай бұрын
Black lightening Vincent’s 52
Just got Ship to Shore. It's really great.
We have some tales of playing gigs on boats. Surprised to hear the great Richard Thompson has had similar experiences. Rough seas can certainly decimate the audience numbers 🤣 even if the PA doesn’t topple over. Great interview 👏
Love this and I don't think that people in the US would be throwing chairs at the musical act! ha!ha! I'm glad you got out of there once the chairs were flying. We love your music Richard, keep it up until you're very old and gray!! Great interview, thank you for posting this. Come to Spokane Washington again, we'd love to see you. (from Sandi)
Lovely conversation, what a treat! Immediately spellbound by Richard Thompson's music when I first heard it, which was when a college music store guru put I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight into my hands; a few years I became the evangelist and told my friends "The Killing Jar" was essential listening! Very glad when the "Rich and Loud" show came to Pittsburgh and I could take my young daughter to hear the fine music. Kind regards to one and all -
@frankeventi5544
Ай бұрын
'The Killing Jar' is awesome but the lyric is so dark: www.google.com/search?q=richard+thompson+live+concerts+the+killing+jar&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7e889595,vid:CqI_tAATkFo,st:0 RT never plays it live. 'Seven Brothers' on the Acoustic Rarities album is another masterpiece of uneasy listening: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rHh3l5hrZca7iJM.html
My hero.
Okay, you guys are freaking me out, or else KZread is. I've listened to Richard Thompson CDs three days in a row, and now suddenly this turns up in my feed. Anyway, good to see this. He's so funny and talented.
@johnryan3913
2 ай бұрын
It's KZread. This happens to me as well.
I saw the Portsmouth show this week, a terrific performance. Sadly, the place seemed little more than half full. I hope the rest of the tour sold better!
What good fun! RT is one of the most genuine artists I know of. Can't wait for him to make it back to Northern Ca. Maybe a requests show at the Freight. Pretty much will gladly travel the state to see him perform.
There is no other musician I admire as much as I do RT. Thanks for this interview. It has a different and more personal focus than many others of his interviews.
Good questions of a legend who is rather self effacing. I enjoyed this episode. Well done.
Got my ticket for Manchester, make it a good one, Rich!😉
What a treat! after stumbling on the great interview from 3 years ago
Beeswing is beautiful.
Wow. Totally wonderful, thank you.
You guys are great - great interview. To me it is absolutely amazing that Richard has been playing and writing at such a high level for over 50 years. Really stunning. From Fairport with Sandy Denny to Shut Out the Lights with Linda to his mid-90s pop stuff to the Cold Blue and Grizzly soundtracks that are purely instrumental and awesome. Bring him back when you can.
What a great artist love him have CD box set
I saw him At Wickham Festival once when he made the comment that he could never have imagined himself as the act on stage following a Rolf Harris concert.
top bloke !
I've seen Richard play dozens of times over the years but only twice did I see him with a band in the late 1980s. I hope he tours the New England area with the band!
Idea for bragging rights contest. What's the furthest you've travelled to attend a gig ? I'm from NW England and in 2001 I travelled to Perth University, Western Australia to see Richard Thompson. I believe Hank Marvin was there but I didn't see him.
@JJONNYREPP
2 ай бұрын
Richard Thompson - “you know it’s time to go when the audience starts throwing chairs”. 10.4.24. Thy either throw knickers or chairs. Good luck....
@doodahdavesrecords4319
2 ай бұрын
In 73 I came to England saw America at the Roadhouse and SlyJ Geils10 years afterand Edgar’s Winter at an outside show in summer Wembley?
@JJONNYREPP
2 ай бұрын
@@doodahdavesrecords4319 ????? And that, pop pickers, is someone's hotwired history.....
One of the best things one could teach at a songwriting camp is that songs don't have to be autobiographical to be good.
So underrated.. He did a gig with Roger Mcguinn.. tgats s marriage made in heaven.They should have got a band together .Bringing both audiences .. Couldn’t go wrong ..
Ah the old pennies. I still look for 1933.
I was on the Northern Line on Wednesday and I didn't see the seagull poster.
I disagree. I once went to see Bauhaus at Brighton Dome. We ripped the chairs up and threw them on stage, where Pete Murphy stacked them up into a huge pile and sat atop it like a potentate, singing.
A legend for sure. But he plays in the US 90% of the time. Which is a total bummer.
Glad you persisted.
"Why don't you open for Whitesnake" - ahh, RT comedy gold, right there. I can just imagine; he's midway through 'Dimming of the Day' when some hair-sprayed troglodyte shouts "Slide It In!" (I like Trousersnake, by the way).
Instrumental bands-- The Ventures?
Do musicians get paid more if they do the " all seeing eye " thing on their album covers ? They all seem to do it.
Someone should let him know it's ok to not wear a hat at all times.
Of that trio of Drake, Martyn and him, the only sane one.
@PaulDunn-uw6pq
2 ай бұрын
AJT❤
Richard is looking far too healthy nowadays!
@goodun2974
2 ай бұрын
I saw him play a couple years ago and his voice is still deep and resonant, seemingly untouched by time.