Richard Thompson @ House of Blues, Cleveland

[Captain Hate]

Yes, I know it isn't ***JAZZ*** but the music discussion here has been so stilted and non-existent that this should be considered a breath of fresh air. This is at least the sixth time that I've seen RT and I'd go back weekly if given a chance for a prolonged period of time before getting tired of him. First things first: This was my first time being at the House of Blues and, even though the tix were more expensive than the usual sub-pits that I frequent, the show started promptly as scheduled, no shitstain warmup groups, the sound was perfect and, as usual, Thompson tore it up for 2+ hours without a break. Any extra jack this cost me was well spent.

First of all, the group was abridged by bassist Danny Thompson having to return to the UK for some family matter. Not to matter: Multi-instrumentalist Pete Zorn filled in on bass and, on songs that doubtlessly a monkey could've played the bass part, a roadie filled in; honestly, I think they put tape where his fingers were supposed to be. The drummer was new to me, looking like some long-lost Wayans relative, he was very good.

He played a lot of songs from his new release which, based on tonight, I should really make a point of picking up. Plus he played a lot of old favorites: Wall of Death, Tear Stained Letter, Read About Love, Man in Need. As usual, even though I'm *very* partial to his Fender playing, he threw in some acoustic numbers that left me stunned by his technique, Al Bowley's In Heaven and the one about the Vincent motorcycle that I can't remember the title of. He also played some old numbers that I can barely remember, one called "You're Listening to the Wrong Heartbeat" that I think I can remember him doing with Linda waaaayyy back when. This version featured Zorn on baritone sax and RT wielding his Fender on a kicking version.

Of course his between song banter was hilarious (realizing that humor is subjective), mentioning that he hasn't been to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet to see Gene Vincent's socks; further stating that there's something disconcerting about seeing something of your youth in a museum instead of Etruscan pottery.

I'd go back to see him tomorrow.

[Cem]

Thanks, Captain. That man sure is a force of nature! I've seen him many times and never a bunk show. I tried to put together a 3-4 night run of shows in a 100-seater once, but the stars were not aligned, so to speak. Can you imagine hearing him in such an intimate room? Like you, I would gladly see RT night after night. He's a great conduit.

[BFrank]

Richard has been great for so many years and he's still considered a "cult" figure.

I've seen him a number of times (including the very last performance of "Richard & Linda Thompson" before the breakup) and he never fails to entertain.

[Captain Hate]

Originally Posted by BFrank

Richard has been great for so many years and he's still considered a "cult" figure.

Pretty sad, ain't it?!? I've been doing my part to drum up interest; last night's show was attended by a couple I used to work with that hear a lot of stuff at House of Blues (including a lot of stuff that I'm decidedly *not* interested in) that had a great time.

Thanks for the comments, guys; didn't realize you were fans but it's no great surprise that you are. I know Sisco and Root will probably weigh in.

[Pete C]

I don't know his music, but I'll be seeing him for free in Prospect Park on Thursday. It's a great lineup this year. Ralph Stanley is on Friday, and last week I caught the Neville Brothers and Joan Osborne (not my cuppa, but not bad).

Brooklyn is the center of the universe.

http://www.briconline.org/celebrate/schedule_2007.asp

[Vince Kargatis]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

Pretty sad, ain't it?!?

I suppose, in some sense, but still, he's got a significant fanbase (his shows that I've seen are always packed), he's got a steady run of releases on a major label, and major ongoing respect from the press. I tend to see an overall positive there.

He and John Butcher compete for the best solo shows I've seen.

[BFrank]

Originally Posted by Pete C

Brooklyn is the center of the universe.

Only if you live there.

[Clay Fink]

I love the old stuff, but nothing since "Across A Crowded Room" (1985) has really done anything for me. Just the same doomy, maudlin stuff that he did to perfection on "Bright Lights", "Pour Down Like Silver", etc. He is a serious guitar god, though, and his humor always comes across in his performances.

[Root Doctor]

Originally Posted by Clay Fink

I love the old stuff, but nothing since "Across A Crowded Room" (1985) has really done anything for me. Just the same doomy, maudlin stuff that he did to perfection on "Bright Lights", "Pour Down Like Silver", etc. He is a serious guitar god, though, and his humor always comes across in his performances.

I stopped buying his records after "Mirror Blue" (I'd had enough of Mitch Froom's gimmicky and distracting production signatures), but I'd drop everything to see him live. Even tunes that seemed lacklustre on disc (I'm thinking of a number of things from "Mock Tudor" and "The Old Kit Bag") take on a certain shine when performed in person, and his stronger efforts become wilder and more impassioned. He also unleashes his considerable wit, which he oddly seems reluctant to do on recordings. It's a shame, because he's a very quick and funny guy.

I do wish he'd find a new songwriting theme. "Love is mysterious and cruel" isn't that much of a revelation that you'd want to spend yet another decade trying to think of new ways of saying it.

[Clay Fink]

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

I stopped buying his records after "Mirror Blue" (I'd had enough of Mitch Froom's gimmicky and distracting production signatures), but I'd drop everything to see him live. Even tunes that seemed lacklustre on disc (I'm thinking of a number of things from "Mock Tudor" and "The Old Kit Bag") take on a certain shine when performed in person, and his stronger efforts become wilder and more impassioned. He also unleashes his considerable wit, which he oddly seems reluctant to do on recordings. It's a shame, because he's a very quick and funny guy.

I do wish he'd find a new songwriting theme. "Love is mysterious and cruel" isn't that much of a revelation that you'd want to spend yet another decade trying to think of new ways of saying it.

Froom's production really killed the albums from "Daring Adventures" on. For me, at least. Thompson's great live, though. There's no doubt about that.

[Root Doctor]

Froom similarly disfigured records by Los Lobos and Del Fuegos. A major irritant.

[Gary Sisco]

I kept buying them through "Kit Bag." He's my favorite rock guitarist by far, and a favorite songwriter, too, but I didn't dig that one so much, and I have so many of his records, it feels silly to buy anymore.

I've seen him a bunch of times, too, and will always go out to hear him live anytime he's within a reasonable driving distance.

[PHILLYQ]

I became an RT fan by accident- I was flipping around the dial and happened upon RT playing "Crawl Back" and I loved it. I knew a music critic at the NY Daily News had written favorably about RT, so I emailed the critic for recommendations. He(Jim Farber) kindly gave me a few recommendations, and I've loved his music since then.
A few months after this I swa RT in concert and was blown away- he did every tune of his that I liked- except "Crawl Back"!

[Cem]

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

I do wish he'd find a new songwriting theme. "Love is mysterious and cruel" isn't that much of a revelation that you'd want to spend yet another decade trying to think of new ways of saying it.

How about a variation on "Rock the Casbah"? I'm glad he leaves politics and religion out of his playing. It would be good to hear him create more ethereal music. "Bird in God's Garden" from Live, Love, Larf, Loaf was very good. I really like his instrumental album, too - Strict Tempo. I also like goofy material like "Don't Sit on my Jimmy Shands" & "Two Left Feet". I do agree with you; it would be good to hear his take on other subject matter than dark, non-love songs.

Also, as I've said before, I prefer him solo or duo. Never was too hot on his bands. Would love to hear him with a crack drummer, though the last one (from Texas?) was not bad, not too heavy on the four-on-the-floor playing ...

[Captain Hate]

Originally Posted by Clay Fink

Froom's production really killed the albums from "Daring Adventures" on. For me, at least. Thompson's great live, though. There's no doubt about that.

Agreed; in fact when I hear an interesting song on an album the first thing I think is "I can't wait to hear this live when it might sound good." He's put together an incredible number of songs to draw from in concert; I wish he'd play more of the "Across a Crowded Room" ones.

[Captain Hate]

Originally Posted by Cem

Also, as I've said before, I prefer him solo or duo. Never was too hot on his bands.

One of the few times I disagree with you; I prefer his playing with the band because otherwise you don't hear his Fender. He still has some solo spots when the band takes a couple tunes off.

[Clay Fink]

Originally Posted by Cem

I do agree with you; it would be good to hear his take on other subject matter than dark, non-love songs.

The Richard and Linda album "Sunnyvista" has a couple of overtly political songs: "Civilization" is a excoriation of consumerism and conformity and "Justice in the Streets" is a call to jihad (of some sort). "House of Cards" from "First Light" sounds like a similar call. From what I remember, the song "Shoot out the Lights" is about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. How we can still let this man in our country, I have no idea. If he really wants to make it big he should write some "The God That Failed" kind of songs and parley that into a fellowship at the AEI. That an a Regnery book contract would pay for his kid's education.

Of course, having written "Dimming of the Day", "For Shame of Doing Wrong" and "Night Comes In" I figure Thompson can do anything he wants.

[Root Doctor]

Originally Posted by Cem

Also, as I've said before, I prefer him solo or duo. Never was too hot on his bands. Would love to hear him with a crack drummer, though the last one (from Texas?) was not bad, not too heavy on the four-on-the-floor playing ...

I saw him in the late '80s at Sanders Theater at Harvard, when he had Kenny Aronoff on drums. He was killer, pushing Thompson into wilder and wilder soloing. I don't think I've ever heard him play with such rock and roll abandon.

[Clay Fink]

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

I saw him in the late '80s at Sanders Theater at Harvard, when he had Kenny Aronoff on drums. He was killer, pushing Thompson into wilder and wilder soloing. I don't think I've ever heard him play with such rock and roll abandon.

I saw that band too! With Clive Gregson,, Christine Collister, etc. I think Aronoff was with him because Dave Mattacks broke his arm. They did a version of "Flying Saucer Rock 'n Roll". The tour before that, for "Across a Crowded Room" they closed with "Skull and Crossbones". To this day that was one of the hardest rocking things I've ever heard.

[Gary Sisco]

"Shoot Out The Lights" is about the Iranian revolution, not the Soviet war in Afghanistan. Thompson is a Moslem.

I've seen him solo, duo, and with bands, and loved all of them. I'd go out any time to hear him.

[Root Doctor]

Originally Posted by Clay Fink

I saw that band too! With Clive Gregson,, Christine Collister, etc. I think Aronoff was with him because Dave Mattacks broke his arm. They did a version of "Flying Saucer Rock 'n Roll". The tour before that, for "Across a Crowded Room" they closed with "Skull and Crossbones". To this day that was one of the hardest rocking things I've ever heard.

That's the one. Pretty great.

I have a VHS tape (from a friend's laser disc) of a live performance from the "Across a Crowded Room" tour. Hearing Richard cover Sparkle Moore was a shock and a treat.

[Clay Fink]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

"Shoot Out The Lights" is about the Iranian revolution, not the Soviet war in Afghanistan. Thompson is a Moslem.

Same thing, either way if you ask me. What's a Moslem? I thought he was English or something like that.

[Captain Hate]

More specifically, Thompson is a Sufi Moslem, not exactly one of the faves of the Wahabis.

[Clay Fink]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

More specifically, Thompson is a Sufi Moslem, not exactly one of the faves of the Wahabis.

Low impact Islam, kind of.