Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Songs?

Subject: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: The Shambles
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 02:02 AM

This is a chance to say nice things about Richard Thompson and the great songs he is responsible for.

I'll choose Beeswing for a start.

---

Note: Information about licensing Richard Thompson Songs for recording.

I received the following information from someone in the U.S. who was trying to license a Richard Thompson song for her CD, and couln't get a license from the Harry Fox Agency -
I just wanted to tell you that today I heard from Bug Music who does not license "We Sing Hallelujah." By following several business news stories on Google I tracked the song down at Integrated Copyrights Group, reachable at icgcopyrights.com/licensing. FYI they have a credit card licensing feature like Harry Fox Agency and they cover RT's old catalog from Warlock Music. This may be of help to others.
I thought you ought to know.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: O'Boyle
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 05:33 AM

I have to go with Galway to Graceland.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Herge
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 05:40 AM

I'm with you shambles on beeswing. I'm learning it at the moment. I can sign it and play it but I can't do both together yet!

Herge

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: oldparrot
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 07:49 AM

I would probably have said Beeswing,too, and maybe Waltzing's for Dreamers. Then again Wall of Death's my favourite to sing. And one day I'm going to learn 1952 Vincent Black Lightning. How many can we choose?

Does anyone remember one called Dragging the River which he used to do live years ago and contained the classic line "There's been complaints about the water supply so they're dragging the river for you"

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 11:37 AM

Is this the Thompson who's responsible for Down Where The Drunkards Roll & the Dimming Of the Day? If so, t6here's my 2 favorites. Barry

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Llanfair
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 12:06 PM

My son does a version of Vincent Black Lightning that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck!!! I suppose I'm just another proud mum. I'm learning Bright Lights Tonight just now. Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: campfire
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 01:28 PM

I'll have to put in another vote for Beeswing. It was actually another singer/songwriter's rendition of Beeswing that introduced me to Richard Thompson. Its a beautiful song.

campfire

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: LEJ
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 01:55 PM

By Devonside is my favorite, and it features some terrific violin work by Dave Pegg.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: The Burren Ranger
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 03:13 PM

For me it has to be 'Dimming Of The Day' by the amazing Irish singer Jerry Lynch .

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Emmie
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 04:00 PM

I love Richard Thompson. I think one of my favourites is beeswing. Have to say I can't stand vincent black lightning don't know why. I love everything he did with Linda Thompson and am also really into his album industry. I saw him play last year and was really impressed with the live version of pharoahs.Also really like the song he wrote with Dave Swarbrick crazy man micheal. I will stop now because I could go on for ever.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: WyoWoman
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 07:21 PM

One of my favorite songs is the waltz, "How Will I be Simple Again," a Richard Thompson song that a New Mexican musician named Steve Smith performs and has recorded on one of his CDs. Smith is a wonderful singer and instrumentalist, and the song is just wonderful -- poignant and full of longing for lost innocence. Yummy.

KC

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Ana
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 07:29 PM

Farewell farewell, The Great Valerio, Genesis Hall, God loves a Drunk....uhummmmmmm.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: The Shambles
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 07:51 PM

Hey LEJ.

Devonside is one of my many favourites too. The song is just so simple and right. The fiddle solo is, I think my most very favourite, there is nothing there that is not absolutely neccesary.... The solo is by Aly Bain though?

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: The Shambles
Date: 19 Jun 99 - 08:09 PM

I think I have to say that the combination of Linda and Richard singing those songs was also a bit special and she deserves a lot more credit as an artist, in her own right, than she usually gets.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 20 Jun 99 - 03:39 AM

Ok Shamb, wrong about the violin solo. But hey, don't you just love when they change the key in the middle of it ? Makes tears of joy come to my eyes. And the great line "She said 'My johnny, I'll be your pillow. I'll be your Mother, Lover, Whore and Bride.'" Kind of sums up the love of a really beautiful and unselfish woman in one line.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Jun 99 - 07:15 AM

LEJ

Just so, but I have never been too sure exactly what the song is about. Not that it has ever stopped me from feeling the asme as you.....Any suggestions, anyone?

Subject: Lyr Add: SAM JONES (Richard Thompson)
From: Matthew B.
Date: 20 Jun 99 - 12:03 PM

Here's mine:

Sam Jones (By Richard Thompson)

Me name is Sam Jones, and it's bones me occupation
Put your old hocks out for my consideration
Thirty years a bone man up and down the nation
Sam Jones deliver them bones

I've been among the shamrock and I've been among the thistle
I like it all picked over, clean as a whistle
No sign of meat and no sign of gristle
Sam Jones deliver them bones

And I've seen battlefields white with human ivory
Noble dukes and princes stripped of flesh and finery
When the crows have done their work they say that's the time for me
Sam Jones deliver them bones

And I even dream of bones when I'm lying very ill
Roomsful of skeletons a-dancing the quadrille
Rows and rows of skulls singing Blueberry Hill
Sam Jones deliver them bones

And if you're unburied the likes of me will find you
You're no good to worms but you might become the finest glue
We'll grind you up & spread you out as fertilizer too
Sam Jones deliver them bones

I've got an old lorry it's me old bone shaker
For the knuckle joints around your house, Ill be the undertaker
I'll come calling 'round just like the butcher & the baker
Sam Jones deliver them bones

Me name is Sam Jones and it's bones me occupation
Put your old hocks out for my consideration
Thirty years a bone man up and down the nation
Sam Jones deliver them bones

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From:
Date: 20 Jun 99 - 12:12 PM

Dave Burland has produced a superb CD of Richard Thompson songs called "His Master's Choice", which has Richard Thompson playing guitar, with Clive Gregson and Christine Collister and others. Dave has a beautiful voice which really suits the songs. It has 1. How Will I Ever be Simple Again 2. Hard Luck Stories 3. Dimming Of The Day 4. House Of Cards 5. Walzing's For Dreamers 6. Crazy Man Michael 7. Withered And Died 8. I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight 9.The Angels Took My Racehorse Away 10. Down Where The Drunkards Roll 11. The Old Changing Way 12. The New St George 13. Night Comes In 14. The Poor Ditching Boy

Its on RGFCD 009 - I've been playing it to death for a couple of years now. Cheers Ray (UK Banjo Player)

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Jun 99 - 12:21 PM

A click here Richard Thompson will bring up those that are contained in the 'good old' DT.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Llanfair
Date: 20 Jun 99 - 01:08 PM

Thanks for that, Shambles, I've been wanting to do Farewell, Farewell, for ages, Ihad no idea that it was written by Richard Thompson. I should have known, though, it has the haunting quality that he is so good at. Hwyl. Bron.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: WyoWoman
Date: 20 Jun 99 - 02:08 PM

Ray-- I looked up "His Master's Choice" in the Amazon.com store and it was some CD by the Fabulous Poodles. Any idea where I could buy that CD by THOMPSON?

Also -- anyone have any suggestions as to which CD I should get to start my collection? My intro to Richard Thompson was the CD I mentioned above, which has only one of his songs on it. But I'm in love and want more.

KC

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Jane Bird
Date: 28 Jun 99 - 06:27 AM

The fiddle solo on "By Devonside" is by Aly Bain. It's great playing indeed, but I always was rather impressed by John Kirkpatrick's concertina playing on that track, as it happens.

Jane

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: AndyG
Date: 28 Jun 99 - 07:39 AM

1) Beeswing
2) 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
3) All the rest

Andy "always "says nice things about Richard Thompson"" G

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 May 00 - 02:49 PM

A Heart Needs A Home.

Can anyone supply the words to this?

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 02 May 00 - 04:27 PM

Wow!! finally a thread just about THE MAN himself. I'm shameless about him (and Daniel Lanois...) He has my vote for a knighthood, but then again, I can't be queen can I? even for a day?

Favorite Songs:
Beeswing
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
Down Where the Drunkards Roll
When I Get To the Border
Beat the Retreat sung by June Tabor
Wall of Death as done by REM
When the Spell is Broken sung by Bonnie Raitt
and
Vincent Black Lightening 1952 'cause I'm a redhead.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Wesley S
Date: 02 May 00 - 04:39 PM

As someone who { I'm sorry to say } doesn't own any Richard Thompson music I was wondering like Wyowoman which of his CD's you would start a collection with. Are some more acoustic than others? It would be nice to find a good one of just him and his guitar. Suggestions anyone??

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 02 May 00 - 04:50 PM

Wesley a good start would be "songs by Richard Thompson Beat The Retreat", "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" by Richard and Linda Thompson and any CD that has Beeswing on it (unfortunately I only have it on a thrashed tape copy of a Richard Thompson Live 1994)

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Ickle dorritt
Date: 02 May 00 - 05:17 PM

Definitely Beeswing , Never Again and Galway to Graceland there is also a fabulous song called something like God's Garden.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 02 May 00 - 05:27 PM

"Beeswing" is on Mirror Blue.  Since this thread has turned up, I must just mention my own favourite (among very many): The Poor Ditching Boy.

Malcolm Douglas

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 02 May 00 - 05:51 PM

For me 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, Dimming of the Day and Down Where the Drunkards Roll, all already mentioned by others.

All the best

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Midchuck
Date: 02 May 00 - 05:57 PM

I haven't heard all that much of his stuff.

But I'm very fond of Galway to Graceland and How Will I Ever Be Simple Again, even though the latter makes the love of my life and mother of my children ask why I think I ever stopped.

If you're not lucky I may inflict it on you in HearMe one of these nights...

Peter.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Kim C
Date: 02 May 00 - 05:58 PM

1952 Vincent Black Lightning. VERY cool song.

Am I dreaming, or didn't Richard Thompson record a version of Gypsy Davy? I can hear him singing it in my head but haven't ever been able to find it. Could be my imagination.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 02 May 00 - 06:02 PM

Kim...I might be wrong here but Gypsy Davey could have been in his Fairport Convention or Fotheringay days.

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: zenduck
Date: 02 May 00 - 06:04 PM

I havbe too many RT faves to list, but I'd like to put in a vote for the liner notes to Fairport's Full House. Amazingly witty stuff. I want to learn how to play some of those games...

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Frankie
Date: 02 May 00 - 06:58 PM

For anyone starting a RT collection I'd recommend Rumor and Sigh. It's probably his most commercial sounding recording to date but, to me anyway, it displays his strongest songwriting. Also he has a pretty good collection out called Waiting for the Dark which spans his whole career. It's also hard to go wrong with I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, Shoot out the Lights or Full House (Fairport) or Fairport Chronicles (a collection). Ah hell, just buy em all.

Frankie

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: AoifeO
Date: 02 May 00 - 07:33 PM

Dimming of the Day is a treasure of folk music.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: The Shambles
Date: 02 May 00 - 07:52 PM

Dimming Of The Day, yes.

Has he written any 'stinkers'?

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Mbo
Date: 02 May 00 - 07:53 PM

Ooh ooh! I LOVE "Tearstained Letter" cajun country singer Jo-El Sonnier sung it in th late 80's...I've always loved the song, but only found out last month that it was Richards Thompson! Not a song, but his traditional arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Rockin' In Rhythm" RULES!!!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Willie-O
Date: 02 May 00 - 08:46 PM

I used to have WAV file in my Windows sounds menu so that my computer would boot up by saying

"Let me ride on the wall of death one more time"

and when it failed at doing something I tried to make it do, instead of going "plunk" it would scream "You give me heart attack" (from Valerie, also on the Beat The Retreat compilation)

Really best favourite songs would be Vincent Black Lightning (natch) and on my "trying to learn" list: "My Sweetheart's On The Barricades"

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Stewie
Date: 02 May 00 - 09:36 PM

WyoWoman'

A great place to start would be with the wonderful 3CD set on Hannibal (Rykodisc) Richard Thompson 'Watching the Dark: The History of Richard Thompson' Hannibal HNCD5303. It ranges from 1969 to 1992. You won't find 'Beeswing', which came later, but you will find 'Dimming of the Day' and heaps of other great songs. It also has an excellent booklet.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 02 May 00 - 10:27 PM

Does anyone know if Please Don't Sit on My Jimmy Shands is availabe on any current CD?

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 02 May 00 - 10:27 PM

Does anyone know if Please Don't Sit on My Jimmy Shands is available on any current CD?

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 02 May 00 - 10:31 PM

Does anyone know if Please Don't Sit on My Jimmy Shands is available on any current CD?

Shambles, I would agree with you regarding Linda Thompson, I love her singing style.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 02 May 00 - 10:32 PM

whoa!!! www.salfolks

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 02 May 00 - 10:45 PM

On at least three, I think.  Discography   here.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 02 May 00 - 11:19 PM

Thanks Malcolm!

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Callie
Date: 03 May 00 - 03:01 AM

His best ever: Withered and Died.

I bought Rumour and Sigh recently and after one listen gave it away. Don't like the songs OR the production. I much prefer his acoustic sounding songs

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Stewie
Date: 03 May 00 - 03:26 AM

Metchosin, 'Jimmy Shands' is on 'Rumour and Sigh'. I posted the lyrics is some RT thread somewhere. I can post them again if you wish.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 03 May 00 - 03:39 AM

Thanks Stewie, I already got them from the old thread when it was up, seems Richard and I have one thing in common, a collection of Jimmy Shands on Beltona.

Subject: RE: Richard Thompson: Your Favourite Song?
From: Magpie
Date: 03 May 00 - 04:52 AM

Of the ones I've heard, it has to be Dimming of the Day. I have a really lovely recording of it by Eric Anderson, Rick Danko and a Norwegian folk singer Kirsten Braathen Berg. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. We actually tried to do it in our band, but it chokes me up every time, so we had to let it go.

Magpie