Richard Thompson - BBC HARDtalk Interview 2009 - pt 1/3

[foreverspring]

I hope Richard wasn't expecting a genuine interviewer here! Because this individual really ought not be interviewing anyone. I hate it when the interviewer goes on and on, even to the point of interrupting the interviewee (as here at times. I don't think she, whoever she is, is very well versed in folk and/or traditional music, or anything, for that matter. Not a good opportunity for RT to talkabout his music and the things that matter to him musically, is it?

[tennis11ish]

I have watched this interview again, and the gal doesn't seem quite so awful. Some good banter back and forth, and of course, RIchard can always shoot back with something quirky, or funny, or just plain clever.

[candelise]

Wrong interviewer for the subject.  Someone like Bob Harris should've got the job. Simples!

[Tamsburd]

Who was that plantpot asking him questions?

[CHRISANDTHEMUSIC]

Yep. Some shocking questions. At least she didn't ask if he had been in the Thompson Twins.

[rocktenniscat]

We welcome Richard back to Toronto ANYTIME. We LOVE him!

[OneBigRetard]

This is one of the worst interviews I have ever seen. She is utterly clueless.

[MrBasilGanglia]

This dumb bitch has never heard of RT I am sure. What a twit.

LOVE RT!!!!!

[STUFFandNONSENSEness]

"meet the ledge" what a useless woman.

[wimpicker54]

She just fits the mold of the modern-day interviewer. Semi-attack style and the need to try to fit RT into a category. Small minds have a need for categories to make sense of things. To intelligent people these tactics come across as what they are........ignorance.

[rukeyser]

holycrap & amen to the folks trying to find words to describe this inexcusable interviewer.

i can't believe she gets paid to be this clueless and insulting.

[catweasel28]

All credit toRichard for maintaining his composure and good humour in the face of such inept and ill-informed interviewing.

[TaoBoogie]

I've watched the full interview on the BBC HardTalk website the graphic quality is not very good though.

I thought Ms Badawi was woeful as an interviewer in this instance. She was totally out of her depth. I have emailed the BBC and HardTalk in particular to complain about such an embarrassing and unprofessional interview.

This man is quite rightly a legend in the UK loved by millions.

What do we get? snide remarks about woolly jumpers and woolly thinking from the rest of the interview.

[rocktenniscat]

Terrific interview. (His side, not hers) If RT isn't too famous in the UK, imagine Canada and the US. We REALLY LOVE old Richard over here! Interesting how quiet he is about his religion. He and 1st wife Linda converted to Sufi-ism years ago. He is wearing a turban on the "Pour Down Like Silver" cover, but these days it's the ever-present tam!  Play on Richard - you are one of the bright lights in music: Funny, self-depracating, intelligent, and a fine musician.

[awesomewelles90]

He has a strong if not large following in the UK. I was just listening to his "More Guitar" live album and he's clearly one of the best electric guitarists that the UK has produced and there's some pretty stiff competition (Jeff Beck, John McLaughlin, Peter Green, Robert Fripp etc). And that's not to mention his acoustic work and his great songwriting and singing! The whole package!

[rocktenniscat]

I have read a few times, that Eric Clapton's favourite guitar player is Richard Thompson.

[awesomewelles90]

Ugh, that's depressing. I deliberately didn't mention Crapton for a reason. His playing is either extremely boring or derivative (i.e. copied note for note from Albert or Freddie King).

[garrym417]

It would have been nice, wouldn't it, if the BBC could have found an interviewer with even a tiny clue, but 'twas ever thus in connection with any music that veers away from the mainstream. I'm frequently irritated by references to "Blues Music" or "Jazz Music". The explanatory suffix is redundant. Imagine Richard Baker interviewing some Bhangra star.

[ignoranttwat]

If I happen to come across that interviewer I swear I will kill her in the most painful way I can think of

[halfirishrover]

So glad you posted this! Thanks!

Although I must say the interviewer is a total twat. No American I've ever met considers RT "quaint" - his music kicks ass and many of lyrics are so meaningful to our politics. And why can't she wrap her head around the concept of folk rock? He explains it very well. It's a distinct genre. She seems determined to pigeonhole him. Despicable.

[ItsCabs]

Agreed. She's insipid. Richard handles it with aplomb, making good in a horrible interview. He so cool.

[Mulwany]

no no.... she's just making his point of view more clear, his probably strong views on the english nations lack of interest in their own musical culture....

[Fellwander]

It's available in full on the BBC website, search the BBC site for Hardtalk then Richard Thompson and you'll find it.

[DeeCee8121]

Yes, joni36, please, may we have the rest of the interview?

[ak47doubletap]

Strange, I had a dream that RT was dressed in Islamic clothing.

BTW Enjoyed the interview!

Thnx 4 post.

[Ze18613]

Am I the only one waiting for the rest of this interview?

[khanhngkathyng]

pls post the rest... I need it

[Ze18613]

Please post the rest.

[MichaelFrances]

how patronizing is that interviewer?

[trufflesmell]

It's almost like 'And you've done very well to meet me...'

[Tessietots]

I love Richard! His amazing gift and his amazing personality:) thanks for posting