Richard Thompson on Fairport and Sandy Denny's "Gustav Mahler emotional see-saw"

In which the beloved entertainer talks about his memoir 'Beeswing: Fairport, Folk and Finding My Voice 1967-1975', a rich and circuitous ramble that features Jimmy Shand, Louis Armstrong, a school band with Hugh Cornwell, sitar lessons with Andy Summers, the word game that invented 'Unhalfbricking', the genius of Sandy Denny, the 'backstabbing' folk community, the perils of the British stiff upper lip, a cardboard cut-out of Nick Drake, the Henry the Human Fly photoshoot, disinfecting sheep, the writing of Meet on the Ledge and the enduring mystery of the best song lyrics.
@RthompsonMusic
www.richardthompson-music.com/
www.amazon.co.uk/Beeswing-Fai...
Tickets for our forthcoming A Word In The Park event on July 17th: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-word...
Support us on Patreon and gain access to lots more exclusive content and benefits: / wordinyourear

[@davidgladstone5261]

Richard is one person whose enormous musical abilities as instrumentalist and songwriter put him at the top with Dylan and Paul Simon and others. Sandy is an immortal and I listen to her often.

[@artsahobby123]

I just discovered Sandy last week thanks to Mazzy.

[@iancunningham5576]

I just finished reading Beeswing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I too, have been listening to Richard for what seems like a lifetime. I was aged 7 and my older brother whom I shared a bedroom with. He had the Fairport records. I loved them. He passed away in 2015. So I inherited his record collection to add to my catalog of Richard Thompson Lp's and CD's. Thanks Richard, for the music, lyrical poetry, and now the youthful streams of lifetime stories.

[@douglasanderson8636]

I saw him play in Edinburgh on August 1987 in the tenth anniversary of Elvis, death. He took requests for Elvis songs and played them brilliantly. I was just a young person then and was completely in awe.

[@Mooseman327]

I first heard Richard live in Boulder, Colorado in his first tour AFTER "the tour from hell." The place was packed with an enthusiastic, and appreciative audience. Richard wisecracked "Where were all of you LAST year? When I needed you."

[@puppyfan]

The audiobook, narrated by the man himself is worth the Audible subscription alone. There are moments when his voice conveys real pain and regret.

[@charold3]

RT looking good at, what, about 70 or so? Great. And obviously he hasn’t lost a half beat as a singer/guitarist/songwriter, and he’s one of the very greatest ever as those last two. A gift, he is, one of the reasons to be alive (among many dozens or maybe hundreds). We lost Sandy Denny and Nick Drake (and others) way too early, but (the deal is) we get Mr Thompson for a long time (and Dylan and Neil Young, etc.) for a good while, may he live much longer, hopefully with several more great future songs for us all, or those who love his music. Good interview here. Gonna get his memoir soon.

[@davidgladstone5261]

I think he is about 73, born 1949.

[@tomleader7054]

i am going to hit like on this before i have even watched it because it is Richard Thompson. A man who used to rate towns excitement quota on whether they had a Woolworths or not.

[@johnsouter4020]

A lovely man, responsible for so much fine music. I love Unhalfbricking, and "A Sailor's Life" is one of the greatest pieces of music ever recorded. To know that it was done in one take, and the first take, after Sandy introduced it to them, is amazing. I've just bought the book, and am looking forward to learning more about this important period of our musical history.

[@jimcondon762]

RT. A legend of British music. Never disappoints.

[@alanfretten6709]

I could listen to Richard Thompson all day long really enjoyed this interview.

[@aalbi2781]

Heard Come All Ye from Liege and Lief on the FM radio in 1970 and was thoroughly smitten by Richard's guitar, Sandy Denny's voice, etc. Spread the word to my college friends about the magic of Fairport and been a devoted fan ever since. Thank you!

[@whiteelectricwind]

Tam Lin was the first one I heard and wow that was so stand-out genuine class I had to have the record immediately. A devotee ever since. Sandy Denny especially.

[@patrickcrowther9195]

God the cover of 'Unhalfbricking' is so beautiful. A magical evocation of timeless Englishness.

[@johnsimms3957]

That's Sandy Denny's parents.

[@patrickcrowther9195]

@@johnsimms3957 Indeed.

[@sheilawells100]

The composition of the photo is fascinating too

[@patrickcrowther9195]

@@sheilawells100 absolutely

[@smythharris2635]

​@@johnsimms3957The Dennys lost both their son and daughter, tragically.

[@cosmicdrifter287]

What an amazing surprise,surely didn"t saw this one coming!Richard Thompson is a game changer and of course marvelous unique guitarist,singer songwriter musician.I Was introduced to his solo career a few years ago big time with the live in Providence dvd,which never fails to knock me out completely.Whats not to like really?Key figure to set me on a musical folkrock journey discovery from that point onwards.Thank you so much for doing this...

[@johnsimms3957]

Nice interview. I'm a big fan. I really like the British folk music of the 60s and 70s. Both electric and acoustic. I'm in Kentucky.

[@toadnewt62]

Great interview. Fairport and RT don't get the recognition they deserve. Inspiring music.

[@itsunclemonty5206]

1952 Vincent Black Lightning -- what a beautiful song. I adore how the lyric conjures up such vivid imagery in my mind's eye. Richard is truly one of the greats songwriters. Plus he's one hell of a player. Excellent pod, gents. Keep 'em coming!

[@michaelairley2015]

I love this mans music.

[@jamesmarshall9598]

Listening to Sloth and Sailor's life, now over 50 years displaced from prodigious expression. God bless and thanx to all involved for profound inspiration!!!!

[@jamesmarshall9598]

A self reply: learned of their music from a friend in college and that transaction not only broadened my musical experience but indebted me further to that friend who helped me grow. probably true for a lot of musical exchanges between nonmusicians and appreciating audiences.

[@HughTerry69]

I love Richard's drole sense of humour and his wonderful insights. It's fascinating to explore his experiences so I hope he does write a sequel. He thinks deeply about thinks, he's totally honest and modest and truly a unique artist.

[@buzzawuzza3743]

I've loved his records for decades.

[@amosperrine1909]

I met Thompson a few years back, took one album for him to sign, it was Henry the Human Fly, a UK pressing.

[@morristonian]

My favourite album, not a bad song on it.

[@Eeklex]

Superb interview! But I’ve found that RT has always been an excellent interviewee-surprisingly because his manner seems that of an introvert. My interest in him (after previously failing to get avid about Fairport) was spurred by a rather fascinating interview he did in, of all magazines, Downbeat in the eighties. I think I acquired all the albums within half a year after that.

[@breakup66]

I'm 60 now, and I'm ashamed to say, new to wonders of Fairport Convention. Only started listening to them at the start of the lockdown (first one). I'm enjoying catching up on the classic albums I've missed.

[@jeffsilverman6104]

Welcome to the family.

[@jackarcher7495]

Never too late, Mr. Bancroft. I caught on to Fairport and Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson late, too. I treasure that music now.

[@anselman3156]

I loved this man's work with Sandy and Fairport. Farewell, Farewell was one of my well-received (if badly sung) songs at my local folk club. We had a bagpiper too, being in Scotland!

[@CliffMcAulay]

I worked in a tailors shop in Dundee in 1978 when Richard came in looking like a rock star, complete with satin tour jacket. His sister Olive worked as the shop cashier, and was getting married that week. Being 16, I told him that I had my 12 string guitar in our wee tea room. He was very encouraging and couldn't have been nicer. I hope that he and Olive are well. Thanks for the memory boys.

[@alanjones4075]

What a scoop ... for all of us! He is always interesting to listen to ... and what music.

[@hugohugo2832]

Excellent. Truly excellent.

[@andrewmain3572]

Check it on a map, "Fairport" where Simon Nicol lived is only a quarter of mile away from the home of Ray and Dave Davies. Must be something in the water in Muswell Hill that inspires musicianship.

[@mlebron20]

The three Fairport LPs are albums that I go back to over and over. Amazing in hindsight that they came out within one year. While I have enjoyed Thompson's later work, those 3 are head and shoulders above the rest.

[@deanjordan2607]

Seen Richard with Fairport, with Linda, Danny Thompson, Gregson and collier plus many times solo, outstanding

[@alm5693]

I am a proud owner of a Reprise copy of Henry The Human Fly. I will confess that I found it because in 1981 I was working as a receiving clerk in a warehouse that distributed out-of-print records to bargain bins, but finding that album was one of the most thrilling moments of that particular career. The first RT record that I read about and bought in real time was the R&LT American release of Bright Lights that was paired with a live album and titled Live More Or Less. I went on to buy every Fairport album and as much of RT and R&LT as I could find. Most of it in a way that should have created income for the musicians.

[@donyoung7874]

I love Henry The Human Fly!

[@sianwarwick633]

What a great job.

[@blairhelsing630]

I guess my copy of "Henry" is #5. What a fine chat. Thanks!

[@billclarke3773]

IWTSTBLT probably my favourite record, the opening guitar of When I Get To The Border grabbed me and the record carried on at the same level of brilliance, and that was it - hooked. Every song was astonishing. He's made brilliant records and real duds, can be very miserable and self-regardingly preachy and he is clearly far from a moral paragon, and very far from any sort of great learned philosopher, but he can play as well as anyone, in a way that makes you really want to listen and hate it to end, and has written forty-odd of the best songs ever. Fascinating chap.

[@Milo_Molnar]

Fantastic interview with the incredible musician.

[@Ripleycat]

Sandy Denny’s Who Knows Where the Time Goes is sublime

[@st0a]

Her whole discography is great.

[@derekfarrellmusicontheisleofwi]

Splendid fellow ! Saw Bruce Frampton sing Beeswing last week in the Travelers Joy Garden Folk Club, Northwood, from the heart, choked me a little,. Never mentioned the book though. Another coincidence. Whatever, those were magical years, look forward to the read,

[@donagh1954]

The Word Magazine was the best ever.

[@philiphaigh8349]

Fantastic thanks x

[@JuddLofthouse]

Definitely one of the best episode’s I really enjoyed it 👍

[@dhutton77]

I was one of the people who bought Henry, the Human Fly when it came out. I still have it! But I agree about the cover, as weird as it gets.

[@andrewwalker8158]

Me as well!

[@olafbigandglad]

A great chat. Thank you, guys.

[@Anzevuil]

@5:07: Wouldn't it be EPIC to hear Richard Thompson execute a TENNIS RACKET SOLO?!?! :D :O :) :)

[@derekbeauchamp2409]

This was great too listen too. I really enjoyed it. Richard is a really great guy, must buy the the book.

[@Mooseman327]

Sufism in the 1970's? Not a problem. Made the Thompsons even more interesting, to my mind. And the music was wonderful.

[@douglasanderson8636]

What a gent and a great talent. His comment about the bitchy folk world is spot on.

[@chaskeyes6648]

Bought Henry in Horsham, always loved the uniqueness, and the singing!

[@marklind-hanson9685]

Hey I'm an American, and I "got it" in 1969. Fairport were doing with English folk music what the Grateful Dead were doing with traditional American songs, rocking them up, and I always felt it was the British stream of the same idea... I can say safely though that there weren't a lot of my countrymen in my company- a few friends I could turn on, but little else.

[@JennetPreston]

My experience as well, though it got a little easier once "John Barleycorn Must Die" came out and gave English folk the Steve Winwood seal of approval.

[@BassistPaul]

Have to admit I know very little of Thompson - looks like a good time to buy the book and change that!

[@DSG-br5lk]

Wish I could have seen the NJPAC show. Hopefully next time hes back in the states, he'll be able to do another NJ show.

[@applegrovebard]

I was a teenager in the 60s and had the same folk snobbery in relation to pop/rock that RT mentions. Folkies were more likely to be into literature, poetry, to be grammar school aspiring intellectuals... I remember swapping my copy of Sgt Pepper for John Wesley Harding with a friend at school because I imagined I was leaving the world of pop behind forever for more rarified pleasures... Needless to say I later changed my views, or rather just ditched that snobbery, admitting to myself- yes, I love and revere the Beatles (and other great pop and rock bands).

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

Kudos to Hepworth for bringing up the name of the late Scott Timberg who worked with RT on the project. We miss Scott’s writing here in Hell-A.

[@pommycalva]

Another great and fascinating episode.Another book I must buy!!David still in your “No introduction David Frost style,best!”😀Alex you have edited Mark back to the left with his beard😉.

[@kimerswell7643]

Brilliant!

[@troygaspard6732]

I must find this book, having loved Joe Boyd's White Bicycle.

[@StratsRUs]

I love his voice too.

[@mckayuk]

Thanks guys for interviewing Richard. All 3 of you were a part of my life growing up in, mostly during 70,s & 80,s. I met and spoke briefly to Richard backstage at the Fabriek in Hamburg but couldnt ask all I would have wanted. Do you guys know what his connection to Scotland is having seen him perform in a kilt at another gig in Hamburg. I was uniquely embarrassed at his gig in Edinburgh in 82/83 where he was performing with his band and from the album Hand Of Kindness I loved the song "Poisoned Heart and a Twisted Memory" but it was still new to me and could only remember the chorus where he repeatedly sings "is this the way its supposed to be" and so I was certain the song was called "Supposed to be" and during a gap between number gathered my courage and bawled stage wise "Supposed to be" to which Richard looked up in my general direction and said "Supposed to be what "? to which my mate shouted "Supposed to be the next song your playing" well maybe he and everyone laughed but I sank into my seat realising that wasn't the name of the song and he also didn't play it and the half dozen times I managed to attend a gig it was never one he played but thats musicians for you lol.

[@nigelstansfield1644]

The great thing is a tennis racquet is Always in tune.And I can play it

[@dansmithwave]

I wonder how many future professional tennis players, finding that there was no tennis racquet in the house, had to pose in front of a mirror with their dad's guitar, miming incredible volleys and arguing with an imaginary umpire.

[@anthonyhyland3822]

True genius

[@Harbottle64]

Great interview guys. Would have been interested to hear what Richard's "greatest record ever made" would have been though.

[@charliemaguire2210]

my friend Roger claims that Fairport as the Ethnic shuffle band played their first gig at his 21st birthday party at no, 1 Creighton Ave. Muswell Hill ! 14.12.67 but memories can play funny tricks esp after 50 years !

[@troygaspard6732]

This the first time I've heard him talk about the van crash.

[@susank585]

I am happy to find your channel and listen to this ... and, I am a bit offended by the attitudes of you, as hosts, towards the idealism that Richard and other "social experimenters" evinced with their initiatives back then. They planted some great seeds grounded in spiritual truths, and some of their ideas still have resonance and relevance for the future of human endeavor and consciousness. And I love that Richard credits newer genres with offering inspiration to him and other musicians. How can it be any other way when one is an awake and evolving soul, right? I''m incredibly impressed with how patiently and beautifully Richard handled the lack of sensitivity during this interview. I'll give your channel another chance, but please, tune into yourselves and speak from your heart when addressing your guests. Lovely, Richard, and thanks to the hosts for giving Richard a space to share!

[@winnallrockschool-makingmu1504]

Amazing! Shame there wasn't more about the emotional see-saw. Just waiting for the remixes of those early albums without the darn acordian!

[@billclarke3773]

I like the accordion parts . . .

[@duncanparsons]

As it goes, I think Richard's been listening to his own albums since he was 17 as well..

[@goodun2974]

At 38:30, It has been my experience that buying and selling antiques at a profit is an excellent place for *unreformed* villains to find themselves! Thompson admits in the book that he wasn't sufficiently ruthless to be good at it.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

A lot of it had to do with separating dowagers from their furnishings.

[@davidrobinson2776]

As a horrendous guitar player, I also practised with the tennis racket for years. Strangely, I always played the racket left handed despite favouring the right with everything else. It seemed more natural. I have often wondered if I played the guitar that way I may be a little better. As it is, the only song I can strum my way through is Stacey Grove by Tyrannosaurus Rex. It sounds terrible and the last time I did it was 6 years ago, sitting cross legged on my mother in law’s kitchen floor during the festive period. I knew I was in trouble when I lost the feeling in both legs and started feeling the effects of her special “pink turkey” Christmas dinner.

[@patrickcrowther9195]

I struggled manfully with a huge tome 'The Guitar of Richard Thompson' which was full of guitar tablature of the great man's work. I managed the occasional snippet of jig and a soupçon of reel, but all in all I was a disaster. I should have stuck with 'Smoke on the Water'.

[@davidrobinson2776]

@@patrickcrowther9195 I have nothing but admiration for you, sir, for even attempting such an undertaking. I went from many failed attempts at London Bridge is Falling Down to thinking I was easily going to master the whole T Rex back catalogue. Soiling myself on Christmas Day midway through a song nobody had heard only added insult to injury.

[@jamesmarshall9598]

Brooms for paul mcartney base and snow shovels for john lennon's rickenbacker in garages throughpout the U.S!!!!

[@goodun2974]

Referencing to 5:25 or so, there's a guy on KZbin known as "Porcapizza" who actually does build a guitar out of a tennis racket and plays Purple Haze on it, quite effectively, as a busker, with effects pedals and a looper pedal. RT also says here that a guitar just sort of "showed up" at his house when he was 11; Ry Cooder was given a guitar at half that age by a family friend after losing an eye in an accident.

[@goodun2974]

@@jamesmarshall9598 , years ago when I was a night cook and bouncer at small club here in the States, there was a local "jug band" that played there periodically; the bassist used a "washtub bass", made of an overturned galvanized tub, a broomstick and a piece of rope!

[@michaelcottle6270]

Bought Beeswing a couple of days ago. Still in Fairport but it's a delight. Funny, human, literate. Basically it's like having RT talk to you. Cannot recommend it enough. As a guitarist, I'd have liked a little more on guitars, amps, recording techniques, playing techniques etc., but this would have sent non musicians to sleep so I understand why it was limited. If you like anything he's done, buy this book.

[@patrickcrowther9195]

"I was open to anything" - I think that explains a lot when it comes to considering the richness and variety of Richard Thompson's recording career. Like many great musicians he must have soaked all kinds of music up like a sponge and what came out of him in due course was the distillation of that absorption process. That was wonderful. I always love listening to him and his dry sense of humour always tickles the old funnybone.

[@davidrobinson2776]

I must say, sir, I do enjoy your comments on this channel. Very eloquent and descriptive without, like myself, typing a mini essay.

[@patrickcrowther9195]

@@davidrobinson2776 Thanks, but hold your horses. I can at times be enormously long-winded.

[@bscepter]

"Our skills were more going to Sainsbury's." 😂😂😂

[@MatthewNorthArchive]

Interesting he mentions Joe harriott and John Mayer's Indo jazz fusion. I got both the albums and recently unearthed audio of the missing jazz 625 episode.

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

I think the cover image is great, and I bought it way way back, making me, what… the fourth or fifth to buy it?

[@tomthefunky]

Imagine a Fairport Convention/ Sly and the Family Stone double bill. That would be great.

[@helmutsecke3529]

No, actually, Herr Thompson needs to write about Sunnyvista, First Light and the Dan Ar Braz Fairport lineup.

[@keef71]

There's a bomb to throw into polite conversation: 'The Beatles - they sound good but is it Art?' :-)

[@PiperbonesJ]

We will be listening to Richard Thompson and Fairport for AGES...how do I know this? When you listen to it there is something about the music that pours from the speakers or into the cans or buds...that feels like it came right out of a timeless realm. That they could have been eavesdropping ? seance-tapping ? into those old medieval troubadors and renaissance lutenists, etc. Hope he comes to Ipswich.

[@artsahobby123]

Jimi wanted to create a jazz band with Chicago.

[@artsahobby123]

Guido was happier to push Dylan and Biaz on us then Richard and Sandy otherwise I wouldn't have just found out about her last week.

[@artsahobby123]

When you played Citar did your fingers bleed. Mine did.

[@DidivanFrits]

an interesting dispute, for sure.

[@ThefightingCelt]

Henry The Human Fly has its moments , but as Richard suggests , it is a long way off from being his best .

[@russcohen3779]

Worship fair port convention and sandy Denny

[@kareljbeer]

now that he has written a book is it obligatory to grow a beard if you want to interview Richard? And why not wear a beret as well?

[@artsahobby123]

Big Pink or The Band - I don't remember a female singer.

[@waterboys3001]

I enjoyed the interview. I saw Richard and Linda support Traffic in 1974 and they were a bit boring. Richard does not have a pleasant singing voice and his guitar skills are overrated. He's an artist that critics like. I have always been a King Crimson fan. Sandy Denny's predecessor was Judy Dyble, who was Ian McDonald's girlfriend and Fripp's landlady. She sang the original version of 'I Talk to the Wind' which I and Fripp prefer to the Greg Lake version. Dyble was once Richard's girlfriend, but he helped push her out of the band and then dumped her. She thought the band were friends but she claims they blanked her after her expulsion. Ruthless people those Fairports.

[@allanbriggs9007]

Agree re voice however he is an excellent guitarist. Changed the way the guitar was used in folk music.