Richard Thompson - Put It There Pal

[Ierke]

I agree too!! Richard Thompson is a musical genius..and a gentleman too...( I met him 5 times and he was so polite to all my questions...)

[adjrean57]

RT is showing himself to be a great blues guitarist as good as (or better) than

Eric Clapton, BB King and others (and these musicians are dammed good!).

His music really does keep getting better and better!

[benmeltzer]

@adjrean57 RT is great, but a big part of his appeal is the refreshing change from blues licks. He is no blues player, by his own admission.

[MaxofBH]

elemental stuff ....thx for digging deep RT

[Gooseberry51]

One of the most fascinated guitar solo's.. and a beautiful song...RT rocks!!!

[cantonadenmark]

Bobbysjugirl...I agree...I love lennon(macca and Costello but they just do not move like this guy does...and yes he really does make Clapton look like a complete D***

[cantonadenmark]

I agree he is a lot like Verlaine....but RT Piss** on Verlaine any day of the week.....(and I love verlaine by the way)...this is just a different class

[spwstrat]

His soloing reminds me of a more technically advanced Tom Verlaine. Love it.

[rubbersole79]

Neil Young doesn't know scales and he does alright.

So does RT.

It's about the sound and the emotion, not the mechanics.

Bertram Scudder type college pukes piss me off.

[CoalCutter73]

Who gives a fuck who is the best songwriter, and who gives a shit about harmonic variation and Locrian blah blah, the point is this is a bloody fantastic song. For me, I dont give a damn about technicality, I want to hear a song with real honest soul that moves me, and this sure does!

[CoalCutter73]

Best performance I have seen of this song. Awesome thanks, Richard is the dude!

[cheepnis]

michael jerome...what a great drummer he is !!!!

[DBanyon]

I agree, Jerome is good.

[TimmyOswald]

I would like to draw everyone's attention to around 6:40, the solo here laid down is officially too good for words. Source to back this claim up, string breaks, you heard it everyone, the mortal instrument of the guitar is just not capable of withstanding what the guitar god himself can dish out.

[cantonadenmark]

Pure magic.....

[alimoche32]

Absolutly incredible, I´m speechless. Thank you Mr.Thompson.

[brandomumble]

RT...pure magic!

[IpkisStanley]

2:35, sounds like a hendrix style lick

if you like this solo check out fripps solo on this track: watch?v=draua97qH1Y

[Renfield34]

I agree, Ipkis! Sounds like the technique Hendrix used on songs like Little Wing.

[Cherizac]

My favorite song to listen to when I"m angry. Love the King of Doom and Gloom.

[candelise]

I hope that's not TOO often.

[WatTyler13]

Nobody plays guitar like Richard Thompson.

Nobody.

[cantonadenmark]

This is just incredible...RT is the only guitarist who can play a solo and leave me with tears in my eyes...Apart from Tom Verlaine from Television (check out his "words from the front")

[IpkisStanley]

you're missing out on a lot of great guitarists if what you said is really true!

[octarhaberee]

"pretty bad song writer"

That's got to some of the most ignorant trolling I've ever seen around here.

[WeavermanReynard]

What's a Jersey torch?

[broadpath]

I think it is the same as an arse candle.

[broadpath]

Fitzy, see what I mean? I hope you watched the whole video. RT plasters the wall with modal runs that are completely impromptu and yet maintain a narrative. It's genius. And I've seen him 10 or 12 times. He can throw this for hours.

[fitzy12345678]

he's a genius...horrible voice and pretty bad song writer but a master of his piece...i do hope you atleast listened to the bbc session i told you about

[broadpath]

fitzy, I can't find the video on Youtube. I find lots of covers, but not the original. Is it here? Maybe it is on a BBC site?

[milesgma]

Really? You think he has a horrible voice and is a bad songwriter? A matter of taste I suppose. So his guitar virtuosity is the attraction for you then?

[WatTyler13]

"A pretty bad songwriter".

You were clearly the inspiration for his song "Mr Stupid".

[bobbysiugirl]

I agree...Only Britain's greatest songwriter including Lennon , Mcartney and Costello. Not just that, but he makes Clapton look like a dick.

[candelise]

You mean SOUND like a dick!

[lalberts]

@bobbysiugirl best commentary ever!

[JacKass00001]

"pretty bad song writer".

I'm not capable of doing anything else than appreciate good music. I've always taught "songwriting" was a combo of composing both lyrics and the music. RT must at least bipolar for written this rotten song, and still be capable to perform it in a genious way???

Still confused??!!?? Not after this episode of "fitzy's retorical materpieces"...

[WeavermanReynard]

Sorry mate, not into gay sex toys - each to his own,

[WeavermanReynard]

What's an arse-candle?

[HullBloke1313]

It comes out of your arse and is shaped like a candle.

[broadpath]

Is an arse-candle like a jersey torch?

[daf827]

The amazing thing about Richard is that he keeps getting better (if that's possible), never resting on his laurels or falling back on clichéd words or chord progressions. While most of his musical contemporaries are either scaling back or living off nostalgia tours, RT keeps pushing himself as a songwriter, singer and guitarist. He is without peer.

[IpkisStanley]

yep another guitarist who is still pushing the boundaries at a late stage in his career is Jeff Beck, listening to him makes you realise how bland and boring Crapton has become.

[JackStraw65]

Menacing, wicked, snarling tune by the Master. An aside: When that RT tribute album came out in the early '90's, I always imagined this tune would have been perfect in the hands of somebody like Metallica.

[WeavermanReynard]

Sublime! Brilliant! Never heard anything like it. Wow. Thankyou for posting this. It changed my life. God Bless you RT. The Angels are looking down on you. I can see deep rooted Christianity in your music. Love you. God Bless.

[Wheelie55]

Well, he's a practicing Sufi. Christians don't have a corner on the spirituality market, just their own view.

[IpkisStanley]

Yes that's right he is a muslim. There was a song he did which criticizes the taliban-type narrow mindedness and attitude, can't remember the name though. Good llyrics like "grey is the colour of the pious, knelt upon the misericord" etc. He's such a BRILLIANT song writer!

[milesgma]

That song is Outside of the Inside and it's on The Old Kit Bag cd. Great lyrics and music on that tune.

[IpkisStanley]

yeah that's the one! thanks! The Old Kit bag is one of his strongest albums!

[gaspode18]

@IpkisStanley "Inside of the Outside" its on the album "The Old Kit Bag"

[HullBloke1313]

Haven't you got some hair to cut, arse-candle?

[MehefinHeulog]

thanks for this

never yet heard

will now, after one play, never be forgotten

blistering yes and sublime genius

was like a crashing musical wave

(still happily drowning here)

(and thanks Austin)

[WeavermanReynard]

I actually teach hairdressing. And I'm blisteringly brilliant at it! I will always be remembered as long as there is hair. Has RT got any. I havn't seen Blazing Saddles. But there is enough methaine in your attack on me to fill the arse of Elvis! God bless you. You have taught the teacher!

[Elysiumfire]

Wow! And there's me thinking you played an music instrument. Has he got hair? Yes he has, he just wears his head upside down and his beret on his chin!

As for teaching the teacher...most contemporary teachers are crap at actually teaching, which isn't just to place knowledge in the heads of the pupils, but to encourage initiative in the use of such knowledge...creating wisdom. For you, it will be a case of hair today, gone and forgotten tomorrow!...along with your trolling.

[rememberants]

if you teach hair dressing who are you to comment on guitar u stick to being "brilliant" at hair dressing and leave RT to do wat he does best

[octarhaberee]

Hairdressing? They let you handle sharp objects?

[WeavermanReynard]

I teach at college, and use this as an example of how not to play. It is cliched and boring - listen to Antonio Forcioni, Scot Henderson, Ralph Towner, John Abercrombie, Allan Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, Preston Reed, Andy Mackie, Paul Reynolds, John Scofield, and many more. Get educated for fuck sake!

[Elysiumfire]

It's fuck all to do with education! It's about having the 'inner' creative artistry, and although I will grant that the aritists you mention are damned good...I do listen to them (although you missed out Michael Hedges), RT is blisteringly brilliant on acoustic and electric, and an accomplished songwriter. That's why you just teach, and he blazes the trail! If you were as good as he is, you wouldn't be teaching. His legacy will last far longer than 10 of your lifetimes.

[rememberants]

and where has your musical talent got you in this lifetime, how much do u earn a year, do u have a long line of eternal fans OR are you just jealous that you cant play at such high standards and dont wanna make a fool of yourself to in front of your pupils

[Wheelie55]

Wow! You are one angry individual. Pity.

[lalberts]

@WeavermanReynard You teach them not how to chicken pick? What are your criticisms on Thompsons 1952 Vincent Black Lightning finger style? Have you or any of your students crafted a song that even compares to Thompson discography?

[Elysiumfire]

What are you at college for...learning to be a pratt? Mission accomplished Pal!

[envenom1]

You are the epitome of a guitar playing elitist asshole. are you jealous hes this popular and you're just a teacher?

"RT wouldn't know what the secondary super locrian was if it tore through" - who cares?

[lalberts]

@WeavermanReynard a super locrian is just a harmonic minor variation depending on how you look at it... just like an F major and D minor are the same. It just depends on how you apply it.....

[crikfromcincy]

I didn't like any of that.

[broadpath]

RT slips in and out of keys more deftly than anyone since Miles Davis. If your ear is not accustomed to modal play then this probably sounds very strange. But if you are attuned then this is simply amazing.

[ak47doubletap]

Agree with you comment. RT is truly one the the Guitar Gods.

Songwriter

Singer

[WeavermanReynard]

Awful guitar playing!

[milesgma]

Why do you bother checking out the postings if you know you don't like him? Surely you can spend your time doing something useful and productive.

[SamanEd]

fag ^

[broadpath]

Weaverman, if you were this awful you would also be in Rolling Stone as the 19th best guitar player of all time.

[realbasso]

@broadpath .....and he should be much higher than that!!

[rug3r44]

You have to be trolling, nobody is that stupid.

[rug3r44]

(Previous comment was aimed at Weaverman, didn't end up there.)

[cantonadenmark]

This is just disturbingly good...I love Richard Thompson as a songwriter and guitarist...this is my fave song of his and it's the shit!!

[Pragjag]

8+ minutes? It flew by like 1. Staggeringly good!

[minguseyes]

We're not worthy!

[MrRik2]

Danny is most definitely the boy.

[gerardmanleyh]

So many deserved, positive, devoted comments that acknowledge RT's genius - but so few tributes to danny!

[broadpath]

Danny is amazing in his own right. I've seen just the two of them together and I just had a wash of goosebumps thinking about it. I hope that Danny is successful and happy.

[broadpath]

I've seen RT a dozen times and the only reason I can come up with as to why he is not known on the Hendrix scale is that his recorded albums don't come close to capturing what he is capable of doing. He can build crescendos that will CRUSH you. His live shows will leave you with goosebumps for a week.

Does anyone know who this song was written about? He says "dressed like a gun for hire" and when I think of that image and guitar playing one person comes to mind: Stevie Ray Vaughn.

[octarhaberee]

I agree with you. The first time I ever heard Rt was a live recording on public radio (Mountain Stage) and I was awestruck. I then went out and bought the only album the record store had (Hand of Kindness), played it, couldn't believe this was the same performer, discarded the tape in some drawer, and didn't pay Rt attention for another three years or so. But then I gave him another try with when Rumor and Sigh came out and then saw him perform live with band and was hooked forever.

[trbngr86]

He is not known on the same scale because he is not nearly as unique or innovative as Hendrix. RT is a great guitar player, but there are thousands of great guitar players out there. Don't get me wrong, I wish he was more known, but he is certainly nowhere near the top of the list

[octarhaberee]

Not sure how you measure "unique" , but probably a sure sign of it is that you know when you hear Rt's sound that it could be nobody else - even when he's just backing on someone else's studio album on a song you've never heard before. If he's not near the top of the list, then that must be some list. Sure it's not upside down?

[bobmoshe]

I think that such "better than" comparisons are pointless, but I challenge you to find many guitar players who are so unique in their style (rarely a blues-based riff like Hendrix) AND such incredibly poetic and prolific songwriters. I my mind he is VERY near the top of the list, but I'm glad you have a list that YOU like.

[gripedwards]

Does this guy ever repeat a lead riff?

Just amazing!

[Nigog92]

this drummer are world best drummer.he play drums so good. i havent ever seen drummer like he. michael jerome!

[broadpath]

This song must be nearly impossible to drum because of the complex timing structure and changes. I think the only drummer who could keep up is Zakir Hussein!

[JackStraw65]

Happen to agree that Michael Jerome is a monster on drums. He gives the RT band a huge degree of muscle.

[davedjc]

this is mind-blowing.... amazing!

[iainkingston]

wonderful song. very satirical lyrics - reminds me of Dylan's Positively 4th street in sentiment.

[eccentricman87]

Why is this song so misunderstood? It's one of the most endearing messages a friend could give!

[bigmamasky]

Can someone tell me if this classic send off is a riposte to Paul McCartney. I know nothing of issues between the two and my course of thought may be distorted by the fact that Sir Paul's song of the same name is pulled up on youtube simultaneously. The songs greatness is diminished neither way, but I still like to think of it as an indictment

[warriorjim1979]

The greatest living guitarist strikes again!

Mike

[Myk70]

I think the 3 piece is a format RT should exploit more, Pete Zorn is an amazing musician but sometimes ' less is more ', so much room, space and power on this track...a 3piece would also be cheaper on the road..so maybe RT could finally afford to bring the band to Oz....here's hoping.

[joni36]

It's a Great song, great quality but be carefull with official releases.. (Austin DVD)

[Elysiumfire]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I agree, I'm not going to post anything more from the DVD, I just wanted to highlight the product for others with one of the best songs of the show. Richard deserves the kudos, for all his work, and equally so the support from the buying public. He is one of the few artists I spend my money on, every penny more than worth it.

[4tealicks]

@Elysiumfire I'm surprised you didnt post Austin's Shoot out the lights, I mean the string breaks, rich looks at it and just pushes it aside like it didnt even happen. But i guess there are heaps of SOTL videos on youtube, and this song is just as good! good post as well!

[Elysiumfire]

@4tealicks I only wanted to showcase a different track from the Austin show. 'Shoot Out The Lights' is already on Youtube, as are a number of the acoustic tracks from the first half of the show. Thanks for your comments...indeed, to everyone!