That fucking guitar! but don't over look Pete Zorn's influence on sax or Mattacks on drums(massive) Possibly UK's best Guitarist and Drummer ever(although I love Bob Henrit!)
Saw RT at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa last night(Oct.7th)and he was every bit as awesome as he always has been.Still can play the hell out of the guitar like no one else.Got to meet him before he went to his tour bus and he signed the book that Patrick Humphries wrote in 97.
Having the solid rhythm sections - DM on drums, Pegge on bass, and Simon Nichol on the Kelloggs Corn Flakes rhythm guitar - keeps this tight. Nichol played with Thompson since they were about 16.
The second time I ever saw RT in concert was at the Bottom Line in NYC. He had this line-up. A great band with the "Petes" (Thomas and Zorn) on saxes, and his FC mates, Nicol, Mattacks and Pegg, plus Alan Dunn. Amazingly tight, yet jaunty and free. Great energy. Truly unforgettable.
@daf827 I saw this lineup at the Bottom Line as well. I recall I went to the first night (Sat. I think) and was so amazed that I came back on Sun. The late show on Sunday went very late (I think it started late as well) and I remember Richard at one point asked the crowd "do you have to work Monday?" When most people yelled back "yes!" he laughed and said "wow, I think I'm going to go and watch you try to perform tomorrow"
@sudsamatic That year was before I started going to multiple Bottom Line RT shows. But subsequently, I became a fanatic and started buying tickets for as many as FOUR RT shows in a 3 night stand at the Bottom Line. Great place that was! Your anecdote is classic. The quote is sooo Richard, dry, ironic and hilarious. Few artists can pull off irony the way RT can.
I gave a live version of this on cassette to a friend of mine and one week later he described it as "a sitar player on acid". It's since become a cliche but it's also pretty accurate.
No...a female country artist covered it and got lots of airplay on U.S. country radio years ago. Believe me, I know, having had to listen to country music radio against my will for quite a while.
...still I'd like to see the version on video from his box set release. That one really features RT's mangling of the strings. He stands like a scholar while he plays some far-out licks. This and "Little Blue Number" are definitely two guitar opuses (opii?).
I really like RT's technique on this. He pulls out all the tricks! Pulls, rips, shreds, bends the thing in half--all with that amazing RT light touch. He abuses a strat like nobody in this style!
God. Even the only rock-crit that slightly matters (R. Christgau) claims that not only does RT write better songs, but is also a better g-player than someone who was once proclaimed to be God (hint: sometimes goes by the abbrev EC).
Top notch song and performance. Glad to see and hear this.
Broblem12 4 weeks ago
Thumbs up if youre listening to this in 2012 and are still alive!!(:
GummyBearPancakes 2 months ago
That fucking guitar! but don't over look Pete Zorn's influence on sax or Mattacks on drums(massive) Possibly UK's best Guitarist and Drummer ever(although I love Bob Henrit!)
1958jimmymac 6 months ago
Now this is how It's should be played!!!
Dust6chap6 9 months ago
"They're worse than critics -- they're AMATEUR critics!" -- RT
78704pickinparty 11 months ago
Thompson's the greatest rock'n'roll guitarist the UK has ever produced, and should be recognised as such.
incongra 11 months ago
Good to see Simon Nichol with his Kellogg's Corn Flakes guitar! RT has most of Fairport Convention out there burning it up with him!
12Racer99 1 year ago
I saw him last night in Albany, NY. His guitar solos on this song last night were MUCH better than in this video
dowhatthouwilt911 1 year ago
Why is Dave Pegg wearing a comedy stick on beard??? :-o
SAHBfan 1 year ago
@SAHBfan Pegg was in Jethro Tull's band as bass player as well as being in Fairport Convention. Went with the whole Tull band "look" at that time.
12Racer99 9 months ago
Saw RT at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa last night(Oct.7th)and he was every bit as awesome as he always has been.Still can play the hell out of the guitar like no one else.Got to meet him before he went to his tour bus and he signed the book that Patrick Humphries wrote in 97.
mrgb46 1 year ago
This is all bout Richard Thompson here guys!!! HE'S AWSOME and im only young!!!
RuthSudlow 2 years ago 2
Having the solid rhythm sections - DM on drums, Pegge on bass, and Simon Nichol on the Kelloggs Corn Flakes rhythm guitar - keeps this tight. Nichol played with Thompson since they were about 16.
6ninian 2 years ago 2
Only RT can pull off tenor sax and cajun air compressor trading fours...
sundiver137 2 years ago
Going to see RT tomorrow night.
WOOHOO!!!!!
gonegatorgirl 3 years ago
Alber Lee does a great version.
gnd567 3 years ago
The second time I ever saw RT in concert was at the Bottom Line in NYC. He had this line-up. A great band with the "Petes" (Thomas and Zorn) on saxes, and his FC mates, Nicol, Mattacks and Pegg, plus Alan Dunn. Amazingly tight, yet jaunty and free. Great energy. Truly unforgettable.
daf827 3 years ago
@daf827 I saw this lineup at the Bottom Line as well. I recall I went to the first night (Sat. I think) and was so amazed that I came back on Sun. The late show on Sunday went very late (I think it started late as well) and I remember Richard at one point asked the crowd "do you have to work Monday?" When most people yelled back "yes!" he laughed and said "wow, I think I'm going to go and watch you try to perform tomorrow"
sudsamatic 1 year ago
@sudsamatic That year was before I started going to multiple Bottom Line RT shows. But subsequently, I became a fanatic and started buying tickets for as many as FOUR RT shows in a 3 night stand at the Bottom Line. Great place that was! Your anecdote is classic. The quote is sooo Richard, dry, ironic and hilarious. Few artists can pull off irony the way RT can.
daf827 1 year ago
Thanx 4 the clarification. Yeah, that isn't Kirkpatrick.
Philmbuf 3 years ago
That's John Kirkpatrick on the left, accordion
Simon Nicol far right, guitar, backup vocal
Dave Mattacks, drums
Fairport and Morris On Alumni, great musicians all!
Philmbuf 4 years ago
I gave a live version of this on cassette to a friend of mine and one week later he described it as "a sitar player on acid". It's since become a cliche but it's also pretty accurate.
engl63 4 years ago
Whew! How did this song not make the man famous?
nswlh 4 years ago
It did...sort of...there was a cover on - yes - country music radio in the 80s. I think it was by...aww, now I can't recall her name.
frederickus 4 years ago
The song was originally done by a guy...Jo-El Sonnier. This song was a big hit for Richard after leaving Fairport Convention and divorcing Linda.
cutelittlecaramelkid 4 years ago
No...a female country artist covered it and got lots of airplay on U.S. country radio years ago. Believe me, I know, having had to listen to country music radio against my will for quite a while.
frederickus 4 years ago
Got it....it was Patty Loveless...
cutelittlecaramelkid 4 years ago
Patty Loveless is her name.. She did a good version.. But this one is better.
harley2668 3 years ago
It was Patty Loveless on her "Trouble With The Truth" album
thjinxter 3 years ago
This is one absolutely fantastic song and yes I do realise R Thompson only does good songs but this is just fantastic. What an artist !
nannerbj 4 years ago
they sound pretty good to me.
halbro1929 4 years ago
who is this cat - ARE you kidding??? Richard Thompson is a rock god, in Fairport Convention when they were rock gods too
bergduck 4 years ago
...still I'd like to see the version on video from his box set release. That one really features RT's mangling of the strings. He stands like a scholar while he plays some far-out licks. This and "Little Blue Number" are definitely two guitar opuses (opii?).
kc7fys 4 years ago
I really like RT's technique on this. He pulls out all the tricks! Pulls, rips, shreds, bends the thing in half--all with that amazing RT light touch. He abuses a strat like nobody in this style!
kc7fys 4 years ago
The brilliant Richard Thompson. Check out " I want to see the bright lights tonight" - Richard & Linda Thompson. Great stuff
nannerbj 4 years ago
So I guess RT did TSL several years before Jo-el Sonnier?
cindyshealed 4 years ago
I would think so, he wrote it.
its on the 1982 album Hand of Kindness
cornleius 4 years ago
You would, but I didn't, not being hugely knowledgable about RT. Your tone is rude.
cindyshealed 4 years ago
You can see them perform it together on the TV show Night Music. Amazing performance. The clip is here on YouTube if you poke around a bit.
RTFan52 4 years ago
Yes, thanks, I saw it a while ago.
cindyshealed 4 years ago
Who is this cat?
cindyshealed 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
not sure but he needs help. This band looks like a paedophile ring. Good track tho
chrisman1444 4 years ago
God. Even the only rock-crit that slightly matters (R. Christgau) claims that not only does RT write better songs, but is also a better g-player than someone who was once proclaimed to be God (hint: sometimes goes by the abbrev EC).
oppie1945 3 years ago 13
"Comparisons are odious".
lits 2 years ago 9
Comment removed
oppie1945 2 years ago
Not when they're as accurate as this one of oppie's.
HullBloke1313 2 years ago
@oppie1945 Christgau is one of the worst music critics I've ever seen, but he's right.
TheElMendigo 1 year ago