Blind Reaction! Richard Thompson - "Crawl Back" LIVE

[@billythedog-309]

He plays hybrid style with his pick and fingers - takes a while to learn, but it's definitely worth it for the versatility it gives you. Nowadays it's very difficult for Richard Thompson's original followers to see him live as he spends most of his time in the USA.

[@victorbortolussi2964]

One of the coolest things about seeing Richard live... Despite the huge catalog of his own to choose from, you never know what song he might cover! Including Britney Spears !

[@richardmaguire9536]

He references reggae classic Althea and Donna "Up Town Top Tanking" then moves into (rocksteady classic) Desmond Decker and the Aces' "Israelites".

[@allanwilson1103]

Thanks for the lovely reaction to Richard Thompson's song. I think the late, great Pete Zorn (1950 - 2016) was playing a mandolin, though it was hard to be certain. He's also an excellent saxophonist. The reggae song that Crawl Back morphed into was Israelites, a great hit for Desmond Decker back in 1968.

[@billmavin6203]

Richard said having Pete in the band was like having 4 extra members.

[@diogenesagogo]

It kicks off with Althea & Donna -- Upton Top Ranking Plus there's even a brief 'Hall Of The Mountain King ' moment in the riff earlier🙂. Richard's middle name should be 'Eclectic'! PS I think Hard On Me from the same album is my favourite RT track ever.

[@marklane58]

Hi, J! I was hoping someone would jump on the baritone sax. Something made me think of Jamaica? I don't think it was a lute as they typically have more strings and a sharply angled head where the strings are tuned. More like a mandolin I think. We do know someone who could nail that question. The song changed to "The Israelites". Thanks for yet another show.🎷

[@DavidRobinson-hm4ge]

Your first reaction to the small stringed instrument is correct--Pete Zorn (multi-instrumentalist and backing vocals) is indeed playing a mandolin. I get what you're saying about the rhythm suggesting some kind of traditional music. I'm hearing a bit of ska/reggae in it.

[@lbd-po7cl]

You can’t go wrong with Richard Thompson. Even a relatively “minor” song like Crawl Back is a banger, especially live. I’ve seen him live several times, mostly solo acoustic, but at least once with a band, and he never disappoints. He’s got such a massive back catalogue, and I’ve never seen him do this song live before (though I know it). I suspect towards the end he was just transitioning/inserting an improv, but would likely return back to the main song to finish up. But you get the idea of just how talented the man is.

[@Bob-yy5wn]

If you want to do a deep dive on Richard Thompson here are two links for starters: - Richard doing a solo acoustic performance two months ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2WUqo2chL5oa6M - The teen-ager with the electric guitar solo in 1968: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4nKp4GQmd-MhNk I'll leave it to you to explore the 56 years in-between........

[@victorbortolussi2964]

I can't recommend you check out his work with his wife, Linda. Their last album, "Shoot Out The Lights " is an absolute Masterpiece! Their previous album sold poorly. They didn't have a record contract. She was 7 months pregnant. Oh, and their marriage was imploding. You feel it all on the record!

[@matthewzuckerman6267]

It was The Israelites by Desmond Decker at the end, used as a coda to the song.

[@Macilmoyle]

Also a touch of "Hall of The Mountain King" by Grieg at 10:27 and "Uptown Top Ranking" by Althea and Donna at 12:20

[@diogenesagogo]

@@Macilmoyle Beat me to it!