By: David de Young
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| Richard Thompson at a recent show in London - photo credit Chris Bates |
Richard Thompson has been one of my heroes for years. I love him for his resiliency as much as his beautiful music. Having gotten his start in Britain's folk/rock group Fairport Convention in 1968, 35 years later at age 54 he's still touring, and still contributing powerful and moving music to his already vast catalog. Similar to Neil Young in steadfastness, Thompson has got something going on that flies in the face of the common wisdom that people tend to get old, fat and boring as they move through life. These guys are good role models for anyone, not just musicians. And as far as rock and roll goes, in their mid fifties they can both kick the metaphoric asses of rockers 20 to 30 years their junior. And as long as we're talking about age, incidentally the general attendees at Thompson's show were about the oldest set of folks I've seen at First Avenue since the Dave Ray Tribute Concert in December.
Thompson, clad in black leather pants and trademark black beret, perhaps jokingly, but almost believably remarked that this was the 47th time he'd been to Minneapolis over the years. Despite this multitude of trips, this was the first time I'd seen Thompson live, and I must say it was a bit of a dream come true. I'd wanted to see him ever since I fell in love with "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" back in 1991 when it appeared on "Rumour and Sigh." Like many people who heard it at the time, that song made me want to cry. The only time I'd ever heard that song live until last night was when (Stuart) Martz and (Todd) Menton played it at the 24 Bar back in about 1993. But although that may be the song most people are familiar with, Thompson is so much more. His rich discography covers many musical styles and moods from ancient Celtic music to moving folk ballads to hard-edged, high quality rock and roll.
An early set highlight Thursday was "Outside of the Inside," a song written by Thompson (who is incidentally Muslim) from the perspective of a member of the now defunct ruling party of Afghanistan's, the Taliban. Also early in the set came a sweet version of "Missie How You Let Me Down" from Thompson's 1986 album "Daring Adventures." Jumping 40 years earlier, next was a veritable jazz number complete with solos. The band walked off the stage after this song and Thompson quipped, "Good they're gone." Adding, amidst audience chuckles, "It's just a urinary tract thing." He played a couple of songs solo including one from "1,000 years of Popular Music."
Later in the set came the popular "I Want to See The Bright Lights Tonight" the title song from Richard and Linda Thompson's 1974 album.
"She Said It was Destiny" was one of many songs Thompson played throughout the evening from the upcoming album. Unfortunately, being only an amateur journalist I have no preview copy of the upcoming album "Old Kit Bag." The album comes out May 6th on the Spin Art label.
"A Love You Can't Survive" was another new one that stood out. (This next album sounds like it should be a doozy; at this time I'd have to say I recommend it without even hearing it.)
He closed the set proper with a rocking jam showing yet again just how good he is at what he does.
"1952 Black Vincent" came as the first of three encores. To his credit, Thompson still gives his all to this song even after all these years of playing it at practically every show; he plays it with all the intensity of the original but with improvised and changed guitar improvisations to keep it fresh and interesting. "Crawl Back (Under My Stone)" was the closing song of the set.
Band members this tour:
Richard Thompson - vocals, guitars
Rory McFarlane - bass
Pete Zorn - Horns, flutes, mandolins and more
Earl Harvin - drums
Location Info:
First Avenue
Artist Info: Richard Thompson
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