Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent - California 2005

[vivaldi01]

I wish I could do that !

[estnyc]

Best song ever.

[jedmarum]

What a jewel this song is. One of the very best ballads ever written!

[CoalCutter73]

One of my favourite RT songs, and I have to agrtee with auto4union... guitars & motorbikes, awesome combination!

[vivaldi01]

He may have dreamed up James and Molly on a whim.

His music brings them to life.

Genius.

[ric7105]

I think that's a Ferrington guitar. Custom made.

[Skyman46]

@ric7105 Lowden...beautiful and expensive.

[leeharvensteen]

"If fate should break my stride, I'll give ou my Vincent to ride." Fantastic song and brilliant guitar player.

[clorensen]

Sorry but "red hair and black leather, my favorite color schemes" is my fav. But as to the rest of your comment, I concur!

[jules153]

Fantastic

[catweasel28]

Some may argue that Bob Dylan is a better songwriter, some that Sonny Landreth a better guitarist - but, for the two talents combined, nobody can touch RT!

[Almanzajj]

one of the greatest guitar player of the universe!

and he can sing too.

[TheNigelr]

Superlatives fail me......

[ruderocker]

There is something amazing about this man and his guitar.

[wilyjetset]

what a man. If the song doesn't make you cry then trying to play it definitely will!

[AtomicFuse1]

haha good words

[milesgma]

Why does there have to be name-calling when you disagree with a comment?! Just be articulate and make your point in a mature manner. We are all adults here aren't we?

[crzycowboy1982]

you wanna hear a good version of this song take a listen to reckless kelly singing it

[thpaine1950]

Reckless Kelly DO perform a great version of the song, I have to admit, but I still always go for the RT versions.

[Flynn66]

Hmm, he can play a bit then!

[robotbytherivr]

What's with US audiences cheering ten seconds after the song starts?

[milesgma]

What difference does it make as long as we respect and appreciate what he does?Believe me, as an American we very much DO respect and appreciate his talent. Don't be so smug and judgemental.

[TheUiNeill]

Its called recognition of a much loved tune you wanker.You are obviously a brit,or perhaps a loser Canadian.

[hexicola]

it prob cos the del mccoury version is far better known, and they expect RT to deliver it in a raucous bluegrass style. i'm sure he's not complaining, it gets a few more people into the audience.

[shanethepain1]

It is never crazy to travel nearly 1000 miles to see someone like Richard Thompson!

[aw0n0]

that little solo between the 4th and 5th verses was beautiful.

[halfirishrover]

Just asking myself if I was crazy to drive 972 miles to see his 2 hour show in Santa Cruz last night. Watching this, I'm reminded just how incredible RT is and reassured that my obsession is well founded. Thanks for this vid!

[milesgma]

You are not crazy . . . far from it. Truth is you put me to shame. I Iooked at the date of the Santa Cruz show for months and convinced myself that 140 miles was too far to go. Now I'm waiting for the December shows in Petaluma and Saratoga. Wow - - - 972 miles. I am indeed humbled.

[eakinj]

i misread your post i thought you drive 2 hours. wow. 972 is a lot but I am sure it's worth it! I'll have about a three hour drive to see him in Petaluma, which is nothing compared to your trip but still long drive but well worth it

[halfirishrover]

We were living in Ireland a few years ago and flew over to the UK to catch three of his glorious concerts. I drove far less then!

I'd love to see him come back to Portland, OR. He always sells out his shows there.

[jmkt7]

Great camera work.

Of course, I consider this one of the greatest songs ever written.

Your video skills make it even more enjoyable.

[alifondio]

good version of a great song. thanks for posting it.

[HeavensGremlin]

It should be good - he wrote it....!

[pyromaniacmatt]

I just can't put into words how much I love this.

[joeygsmom]

thanks for sending me this one, I really love it especially the ending lines.

[mickenoss]

If I ever manage to play this song even half as good I'll stop trying, it's the song I aspire too, when I get this good I have no other challenges left. RT is the best =)

[Tessietots]

I just recently found RT and cant get enough of his music. The more I hear the more I LOVE... Fantastic, thats all I can say! :))

[jnmud]

@Tessietots If you're not already familiar, you might like John Hiatt's 70s stuff.

[Tessietots]

@jnmud Thank You:D I will check him out:)

[lmgavin]

This song gives me the chills every time I hear it.

[modelleg]

WOW!! What a performance!

Thanks for posting this!

[tandmark]

So good it makes one ache! First time I ever heard this song, I said to my pals, "Wow, they're still writing Childe Ballads! Who knew?"

[fastabulus]

Thompson is certainly the modern acoustic guitar master. Technically, the only one who comes close is John McLaughlin (who I last saw play in Shakti Remembered with Srivinas and Zakir Ali Hussain) but McLaughlin cannot carry songs the way Thompson can.

An entire lifetime of guitar lessons in night is a perfect description-- the man's technical skill is staggering, but it is well tempered with emotional sincerity and thoughtful lyrics.

If you can see this man live, and solo...DO IT.

[OneBigRetard]

You are the only person other than myself that seems to really dig JM and RT. Most of my friends seem to see them as exclusive, friends that like the one don't dig on the other.

Great commitment to improv, wonderful wonderful technique and massive music loving hearts.

Those three Shakiti albums include the most dynamic and stirring acoustic music I have every heard.

[tandmark]

Count me in, as someone who appreciates both performers.

And, hey, I also appreciate the new Audio Preview feature, obviously inspired by the recent comic of XKCD!

[auto4union]

Motorbikes and Guitars!What a great combination!Two of the coolest items on the planet!

[Dionysos37]

I just saw RT in Lowell MA at a very small outdoor theatre---as others say above, Wow. So unique and traditional at the same time; so dynamic, so much range; can pulverize you and break your heart open. For two hours (looking just like above video image) he blew the roof off the sky. It was like 5 years of guitar lessons in one night. MAN, there's nobody on RT's level, it feels that way sometimes! May he live and write forever---

[biggears64]

the man has no equal!

[auto4union]

Thats a hell of a great sounding guitar!Is it a Lowden or a custom?Anybody know?It sounds a bit like my Taylor when he plays it loud but a different tone when quieter!Guitars and motorbikes!How cool is that!

[joni36]

He mainly plays a Lowden L32C..

[TomRAFC]

@joni36 at this time it was a lowden F cutaway with a cedar top and walnut back and sides however he now has a custom with ziricote back and sides

alot of the sound comes from his use of the sunrise pickup

[fransgreg]

It looks like an O32c custom (the fretmarkers aren't standard).

[auto4union]

Thanks pal!I really like Lowdens although they are actually called Avalons now but the man Lowden himself is producing guitars under his own name!Got a Taylor and i love it but wouldnt mind adding a Guild,Martin and Gibson to my collection!Would never part with my Taylor 314ce though!Prefer this shape of guitar to Dreadnought or Jumbo size!What do you play?Peace bro!

[fransgreg]

Lowden, O32c (medium sized jumbo, sitka rosewood) and D10 (dread, cedar, mahogany), both magically sounding, and a classical Taka. Would like to try the GS Taylor, did you ?

[auto4union]

Pretty impressive line up mate!Yeah i`ve heard about the GS but not tried it(Sound Control in St Mary St moved!)What do you think of the Taylor electric?Would love to try one of those!You can hear it on youtube!Peace bro!

[fransgreg]

I don't play any electric guitar. I'm in love with the real tone woods, touch and light reflection and smell of them, actual vibrations in the air and in my belly ! No electric, sorry ...

[auto4union]

Aye i know what you mean!I dont actually own a `leccy at the moment either!Had a Washburn Nuno Bettencourt signature model but swapped it for a Freshwater mandolin!But i do miss rocking out playing along to Big Country,Rush etc!Gonna get another one soon as im starting to record some tunes soon and want it for extra sonic colour and effects!Peace bro`!

[eljib]

+1 what joni36 said...i worked with the production crew for one of his shows a few days ago and i got to chat with him a bit after soundcheck. it's a lowden with a sunrise p/u in the sound hole.

[332107]

Without YouTube we wouldnt have this easily accessible means of being transported to other worlds via the magic of such great artists as this. You have to marvel at the sheer artistry of this man So hats off to both Richard Thompson and YouTube.

[SantaCruzOM]

Another perfect song from the master. What great imagery.

[OneBigRetard]

Wow, always wanted to hear a version of this with some fat playing time. Fucking fucking beautiful. What a player. I love that late sixties commitment to 'searching' that manifests in a commitment to improv. Its in John Mclauglin, John Martyn, whoever. Never the same twice.

[nakedchilli]

fantastic!

[gerardmanleyh]

Perfection!