02-06-2024, 12:02
RICHARD THOMPSON ~ Ship to Shore
![[Image: 220px-Richard_Thompson_-_Ship_to_Shore.jpg]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d4/Richard_Thompson_-_Ship_to_Shore.jpg/220px-Richard_Thompson_-_Ship_to_Shore.jpg)
Richard Thompson has always been on the periphery of things I listen to - generally – I haven’t paid him much attention at all which is weird considering that he cuts a memorable figure with his trademark beret and that I have always known who he was, and of his auspicious beginnings with Fairport Convention - just not really bothered to get acquainted with his material. However, such is life! He comes across as a little tricksy in my mind – not easy to peg and a very much his own man/muso. Not that that's a bad thing, quite the opposite in fact, but often not endearing to the masses such as me, and therefore not as popular, or as visible, I suppose. I expect he has a devoted niche following.
I found this album quite alternative in places, which surprised me. This is no mild-mannered folk artist whatever Wiki might say! He has a jaggedy edge which makes his music infinitely more interesting. There are a few songs I really don’t like and strangely enough those are what one might refer to as being more mainstream - I'd say I could do without four of the twelve tracks.
He’s an extraordinarily accomplished guitarist and has an efficient set of session players backing him up - superb violin from David Mansfield and backing and harmony vocals by his partner Zara Phillips. I like Thompson’s voice too, which seems to have ripened with the years and has acquired a pleasing darker tone and timbre.
"The Day That I Give In"
Posted this before, but here it is again - "Singapore Sadie" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew3mMFxFIIs
"What's Left to Lose" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76CadRnBF-g
"We Roll" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZZ0J5viNPw - the final track. I do like it when an album ends on a definitive note. Reminded so much of David Lindley by the fiddle on this album.
Richard Thompson has always been on the periphery of things I listen to - generally – I haven’t paid him much attention at all which is weird considering that he cuts a memorable figure with his trademark beret and that I have always known who he was, and of his auspicious beginnings with Fairport Convention - just not really bothered to get acquainted with his material. However, such is life! He comes across as a little tricksy in my mind – not easy to peg and a very much his own man/muso. Not that that's a bad thing, quite the opposite in fact, but often not endearing to the masses such as me, and therefore not as popular, or as visible, I suppose. I expect he has a devoted niche following.
I found this album quite alternative in places, which surprised me. This is no mild-mannered folk artist whatever Wiki might say! He has a jaggedy edge which makes his music infinitely more interesting. There are a few songs I really don’t like and strangely enough those are what one might refer to as being more mainstream - I'd say I could do without four of the twelve tracks.
He’s an extraordinarily accomplished guitarist and has an efficient set of session players backing him up - superb violin from David Mansfield and backing and harmony vocals by his partner Zara Phillips. I like Thompson’s voice too, which seems to have ripened with the years and has acquired a pleasing darker tone and timbre.
"The Day That I Give In"
Posted this before, but here it is again - "Singapore Sadie" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew3mMFxFIIs
"What's Left to Lose" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76CadRnBF-g
"We Roll" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZZ0J5viNPw - the final track. I do like it when an album ends on a definitive note. Reminded so much of David Lindley by the fiddle on this album.
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
