Listening to Richard Thompson on Radio Paradise

I'm a huge RT fan but I never really paid much attention to the lyrics of this song. It has now moved up significantly on my list of favorites (notwithstanding all the complaints about the words).

Posted 7 months ago by Pound33 [ Reply ]

I've seen Richard Thompson perform many times from Poor David's Pub in Dallas, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco, The Birchmere in Alexandria, Va. and most recently at The Barns at Wolf Trap and he has always delivered a premier performance. He's an affable chap as well. What's to criticize?

Posted 7 months ago by chinaski [ Reply ]

FlatCat wrote:

He's Brit. They actually learn English in school, with words and all.

Whooo, that sounds spooky as hell.

Posted 7 months ago by joko63808 [ Reply ]

ziggytrix wrote:

God never listened to Charlie the Unicorn either.

God has never done a damn thing. Sadly for the world far too few people have realised that yet.

Posted 1 year ago by trevc [ Reply ]

It's frightening . . . and current.

Posted 2 years ago by Stefen [ Reply ]

Zeito wrote:

Charlie Parker. Charlie Parker.

I love the down home song, but I wish we could her some more Charlie Parker.

Charlie Parker.

I hear ya.

Posted 3 years ago by bruceandjenna [ Reply ]

No Cynaera wrote:

Could you go somewhere else instead? (Um, to your credit, you at least know what a "minstrel" is. To your detriment, your grammar is pretty horrendous - it should be "Richard's pious and self-righteous tone DOESN'T help.") Oh, wait - I know what it is! He uses many-syllabled words, and possibly, that confuses you.

This is a very perceptive, articulate song (although I wouldn't mind hearing "Workin' For MCA" in a snark-set...)

Pedantic.

Posted 3 years ago by bruceandjenna [ Reply ]

FlatCat wrote:

I usually have a hard time hitting the 10 button. What song is perfect, after all? But this one. This is a 10. Anything Thompson touches is amazing.

I will attempt to see him every time he comes to town for as long as I am alive.

Posted 4 years ago by khardog145 [ Reply ]

I'd prefer a little more sophistication than this.

Posted 5 years ago by jukes1 [ Reply ]

I usually have a hard time hitting the 10 button. What song is perfect, after all? But this one. This is a 10. Anything Thompson touches is amazing.

Posted 5 years ago by FlatCat [ Reply ]

"Got no time to help the worthless Lotus-eaters, Mandarins, crooks." This is exactly why I plan to never pursue any jailhouse correspondence with Roger Stone.

Posted 5 years ago by Grayson [ Reply ]

God never listened to Charlie the Unicorn either.

Posted 6 years ago by ziggytrix [ Reply ]

Boy_Wonder wrote:

Yerp. I think he's being a touch ironic/sarcastic.... certainly not a religious call to arms from RT, one of our most distinctive and interesting musicians.

God never listened to Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker lived in vain
Blasphemer, womaniser,
Let a needle numb his brain
Wash away his monkey music
Damn his demons, Damn his pain

And what’s the point of Albert Einstein
What do we need Physics for?
Heresy’s his inspiration
Corrupt and rotten to the core
Curse his devious mathematics
Curse his deadly atom war

There’s a message on the wind
Calling me to glory somewhere
There are signs too deep for the dumb
Like perfume in the air
And when I get to Heaven
I won’t realise I’m there

Shakespeare, Isaac Newton
Small ideas for little boys
Adding to the senseless chatter
Adding to the background noise
Hard to hear my oratory
Hard to hear my inner voice

Van Gogh, Botticelli
Scraping paint onto a board
Colour is the fuel of madness
That’s no way to praise the Lord
Grey’s the colour of the pious
Knelt upon the misericord

There’s a message on the wind
Calling me to glory somewhere
There are signs too deep for the dumb
Like perfume in the air
And when I get to Heaven
I won’t realise I’m there

I’m familiar with the cover
I don’t need to read the book
I police the world of action
Inside’s where I never look
Got no time to help the worthless
Lotus-eaters, Mandarins, crooks

There’s a message on the wind
Calling me to glory somewhere
There are signs too deep for the dumb
Like perfume in the air
And when I get to Heaven
I won’t realise I’m there

Their love song

Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2 [ Reply ]

I’m a big fan of Richard Thompson from way back in his Fairport days and his work with Linda. However even by his standards this is a miserable song. While I can cope with the odd dour tune I really wish he would turn his colossal talents to the lighter side of life a bit more often.

Posted 11 years ago by ScottishWillie [ Reply ]

just about the grimest of Richards woes....sweet pickin' tho....

Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48 [ Reply ]

NuggetNectar wrote:

Thesaurus lyrics...

He's Brit. They actually learn English in school, with words and all.

Posted 11 years ago by FlatCat [ Reply ]

Any day hearing some Richard Thompson is an exceptional day.

Posted 11 years ago by Grayson [ Reply ]

Yerp. I think he's being a touch ironic/sarcastic.... certainly not a religious call to arms from RT, one of our most distinctive and interesting musicians.

God never listened to Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker lived in vain
Blasphemer, womaniser,
Let a needle numb his brain
Wash away his monkey music
Damn his demons, Damn his pain

And what’s the point of Albert Einstein
What do we need Physics for?
Heresy’s his inspiration
Corrupt and rotten to the core
Curse his devious mathematics
Curse his deadly atom war

There’s a message on the wind
Calling me to glory somewhere
There are signs too deep for the dumb
Like perfume in the air
And when I get to Heaven
I won’t realise I’m there

Shakespeare, Isaac Newton
Small ideas for little boys
Adding to the senseless chatter
Adding to the background noise
Hard to hear my oratory
Hard to hear my inner voice

Van Gogh, Botticelli
Scraping paint onto a board
Colour is the fuel of madness
That’s no way to praise the Lord
Grey’s the colour of the pious
Knelt upon the misericord

There’s a message on the wind
Calling me to glory somewhere
There are signs too deep for the dumb
Like perfume in the air
And when I get to Heaven
I won’t realise I’m there

I’m familiar with the cover
I don’t need to read the book
I police the world of action
Inside’s where I never look
Got no time to help the worthless
Lotus-eaters, Mandarins, crooks

There’s a message on the wind
Calling me to glory somewhere
There are signs too deep for the dumb
Like perfume in the air
And when I get to Heaven
I won’t realise I’m there

Posted 12 years ago by Boy_Wonder [ Reply ]

..a tad overwrought for my tastebuds..decent enough musically, though..

Posted 12 years ago by cShaggy [ Reply ]

Dalebarely wrote:

I've never heard a Richard Thompson song that I wanted to hear a second time. Meh.

Assuming that you listen here for the exposure to interesting and well performed music, I would suggest that you have not listened all that well. RT has put out albums under his own name since the 1970s and if you cannot find anything in there worth a second listen, I question your ability to discern quality from stuff. Have you chosen to totally ignore the guitar playing part? Of course, you are entitled to your thoughts, such as they are...

Posted 12 years ago by bam23 [ Reply ]

Not bad - but certainly not for me!

Posted 12 years ago by Stingray [ Reply ]

Thesaurus lyrics...

Posted 12 years ago by NuggetNectar [ Reply ]

What a fantastic songwriter. Not the greatest ever singer - so what.
Probably the most original guitarist since Hendrix.

Posted 12 years ago by madaxeman [ Reply ]

It isn't every day that I hear a Richard Thompson song for the first time. I don't think I've heard anything from this album aside from this track and Gethsemane. On order now, thanks RP!

Posted 12 years ago by james_of_tucson [ Reply ]

btw....i love this man.....

Posted 12 years ago by jules44 [ Reply ]

Epic......

Posted 12 years ago by jules44 [ Reply ]

Cynaera wrote:

I used those names in a snarky manner which, apparently, went right over your head. (Oh, okay, I know they didn't.)

Sometimes, I just get too wrapped up in the music and my own personal preferences.

Truce? Please? I'm too damned tired to engage anymore. You love what you love, and that's cool.

Hugs to you. (Well, I give hugs to pretty much everyone - I'm a hugger. If it offends you, PM me and we'll work it out.)

Fight it out, that's fine. I like scrappers. I think it was Lionel Trilling who was famous for comparing all cultural discussions to war. It's OK.

Posted 12 years ago by rdo [ Reply ]

Cynaera wrote:

Well, don't fret - I'm sure there'll be a Belinda Carlisle or Abba song for you soon.

What crawled up your butt?

Posted 12 years ago by Hannio [ Reply ]

Cynaera wrote:

Well, don't fret - I'm sure there'll be a Belinda Carlisle or Abba song for you soon.

No, neither of those artists are played very often here, but there will be some sort of classic rock tune along shortly. There's no need to resort to a false dichotomy, however.

Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

I've never heard a Richard Thompson song that I wanted to hear a second time. Meh.

Posted 12 years ago by Dalebarely [ Reply ]

Great storyteller this one is.

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

bachbeet wrote:

The word "doesn't" is the correct usage in that sentence.

Right you are! The adjectives are plural, not the subject.
Rather nice RIchard Thompson song, too.

Posted 13 years ago by dolfan [ Reply ]

Two grammar rules to live by:

1) Just because it sounds correct does not mean it is correct.

and

2) Ain't no such thang as correct grammar in an constantly evolving language.

I jest. Peace!I

Posted 13 years ago by Ears_of_Stone [ Reply ]

The word "doesn't" is the correct usage in that sentence.

Posted 13 years ago by bachbeet [ Reply ]

On_The_Beach wrote:

Never heard of 'em; some of your faves I assume?

I used those names in a snarky manner which, apparently, went right over your head. (Oh, okay, I know they didn't.)

Sometimes, I just get too wrapped up in the music and my own personal preferences.

Truce? Please? I'm too damned tired to engage anymore. You love what you love, and that's cool.

Hugs to you. (Well, I give hugs to pretty much everyone - I'm a hugger. If it offends you, PM me and we'll work it out.)

Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera [ Reply ]

superb spellbinding songs PJ 2 RT 2 SP 2 DMB SORRY IN THE DARK TYPING YAWN<

Posted 13 years ago by betsyroks [ Reply ]

Jelani wrote:

I believe you to be wrong on the grammar front. Had he/she used a comma instead of "and", "DOESN'T" would have been the word to use.
In this case his/her grammar,"don't", is correct.

Wow. Okay, Jelani - you're correct. I am humbled. And thanks - I've learned something new. It still looks weird, though... And we're splitting hairs when most people use "u" for "you." I think our dedication to the perfection of the English language is doomed...

And I still really love this song, and I still wish I could feel comfortable about uploading "I Agree With Pat Metheny."

Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera [ Reply ]

Cynaera wrote:

Well, don't fret - I'm sure there'll be a Belinda Carlisle or Abba song for you soon.

Never heard of 'em; some of your faves I assume?

Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

Jelani wrote:

I believe you to be wrong on the grammar front. Had he/she used a comma instead of "and", "DOESN'T" would have been the word to use.
In this case his/her grammar is correct.

Well, I have to weigh in here - I think your analysis is wrong. The subject of the verb in that sentence is 'tone' which is singular. Unless I've completely forgotten how this works, it's the singularity (or not) of the subject of the sentence that is the determinant. The adjectives 'pious' and 'self-righteous' have nothing to do with verb form use - at least, not in this case. Ok, so now I'll turn out to be wrong for some other arcane reason (but the original sentence sure looks and sounds off to me).

Posted 14 years ago by paulmack [ Reply ]

Cynaera wrote:

Could you go somewhere else instead? (Um, to your credit, you at least know what a "minstrel" is. To your detriment, your grammar is pretty horrendous - it should be "Richard's pious and self-righteous tone DOESN'T help.") Oh, wait - I know what it is! He uses many-syllabled words, and possibly, that confuses you.

This is a very perceptive, articulate song (although I wouldn't mind hearing "Workin' For MCA" in a snark-set...)

I believe you to be wrong on the grammar front. Had he/she used a comma instead of "and", "DOESN'T" would have been the word to use.
In this case his/her grammar,"don't", is correct.

Posted 14 years ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

On_The_Beach wrote:

Overwrought.

Well, don't fret - I'm sure there'll be a Belinda Carlisle or Abba song for you soon.

Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera [ Reply ]

Overwrought.

Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

Love this song

Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel [ Reply ]

LMAO!! This tune right after Charlie Parker's!

Posted 14 years ago by 4merdj [ Reply ]

grogoch wrote:

This song is awesome. Richard Thompson is a musical treasure whether he suits your musical fancy or not. I met him once in Northampton, Massachusetts. I said, "Hey man, don't I know you from somewhere?" and he said, "Capetown, 1957?"

What a great little story! He's rather amazing, is he not? My favorite of his is "I Agree With Pat Metheny." Second only to his counsel to Janet Jackson regarding certain body parts and how they could be better used to feed hungry babies...

Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera [ Reply ]

Papernapkin wrote:

Reminds me of a minstrel. Richard's pious and self-righteous tone don't help. Could you put on some Lynyrd Skynyrd instead?

Could you go somewhere else instead? (Um, to your credit, you at least know what a "minstrel" is. To your detriment, your grammar is pretty horrendous - it should be "Richard's pious and self-righteous tone DOESN'T help.") Oh, wait - I know what it is! He uses many-syllabled words, and possibly, that confuses you.

This is a very perceptive, articulate song (although I wouldn't mind hearing "Workin' For MCA" in a snark-set...)

Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera [ Reply ]

fredriley wrote:

Excellent lyrics, really putting the boot into the puritans and the jihadists and moralists and fundamentalists of all stripes. A necessary cri de coeur in these increasingly irrational and religious times. Shame the targets of this song wouldn't understand the message if they had it branded in 72pt on their foreheads. 8 from the Nottingham jury.

bares repeating

Posted 14 years ago by bindi [ Reply ]

This song is awesome. Richard Thompson is a musical treasure whether he suits your musical fancy or not. I met him once in Northampton, Massachusetts. I said, "Hey man, don't I know you from somewhere?" and he said, "Capetown, 1957?"

Posted 14 years ago by grogoch [ Reply ]

One of lifes' great mysteries is how a musician, a thoughtful and brilliant musician such as Richard Thompson bothers so many people. It's the voice, the subject matter, his ex-wife, any old thing. I have seen him multiple times, even lucking out when living in Japan to have him play in Osaka. There really are few guitarists who can do what he does. And a bit like Dylan, his voice is a necessary part of the whole. I implore those who reject his music to listen. Thanks for playing this music!

Posted 14 years ago by bam23 [ Reply ]

DaveInVA wrote:

One of his better songs in my opinion though it looks like not many people agree from the low rating...

Dave, I recognize that Richard is a good song writer and a terrific guitarist but I just can't wrap my head around his voice. Something about it grates on my nerves....my loss.

Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond [ Reply ]

One of his better songs in my opinion though it looks like not many people agree from the low rating...

Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel [ Reply ]

Papernapkin wrote:

Reminds me of a minstrel. Richard's pious and self-righteous tone don't help. Could you put on some Lynyrd Skynyrd instead?

Christ! The horror!!! Make it stop!!! Make it stop!!!

Posted 14 years ago by bifcake [ Reply ]

Reminds me of a minstrel. Richard's pious and self-righteous tone don't help. Could you put on some Lynyrd Skynyrd instead?

Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin [ Reply ]

Nice!!

Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany [ Reply ]

jools wrote:

Trust me, it is a parody

I'd say it's more sarcastic (and bitingly so) than a parody. But the lyrics are certainly not serious, nor should they be taken literally.

Cool song from a great musician.

Posted 15 years ago by Antigone [ Reply ]

Love the percussion - great song overall.

Posted 15 years ago by Bosami [ Reply ]

Excellent lyrics, really putting the boot into the puritans and the jihadists and moralists and fundamentalists of all stripes. A necessary cri de coeur in these increasingly irrational and religious times. Shame the targets of this song wouldn't understand the message if they had it branded in 72pt on their foreheads. 8 from the Nottingham jury.

Posted 15 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

Hard to believe only a 5.7 for this song. I happen to really like it.

Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel [ Reply ]

I must address the negative balance here.....this is great, the music, his voice, it's a clear case of picking on something a little different.

Open your minds

Posted 15 years ago by EssexTex [ Reply ]

Fantastic song. Deep stuff.

Posted 15 years ago by CamLwalk [ Reply ]

nicolaluna wrote:

wow. this song strikes me as a parody of ignorance, but i'm not sure it's a parody.... depressing.

Trust me, it is a parody

Posted 15 years ago by jools [ Reply ]

Oh - nice segue.....

Posted 15 years ago by jools [ Reply ]

Not sure why there are so many negative votes for this song. This is the first time I've heard it, or Richard Thompson, and its seems pretty decent to me (not great, but a solid 6 or 7).

It seems many people got hung up on the lyrics so I went and read them. I suppose I can see where overly religious people can view them as incendiary but its not exactly as if he pointing fingers at anyone specific. Most zealots I know seem to think they are open minded and probably wouldn't understand this song is about them.

Or at least that's how I see it.... :)

Posted 15 years ago by danagle [ Reply ]

Okay, I just got all kooked up.... was just listening to Charlie Parker, now this dude sings about Charlie Parker.... and I wasn't paying enough attention to know if the song changed or not (how's that for being wrapped up in work!) Well, I was confused. Thanks Bill. At least it's not dementia.....

Posted 15 years ago by Tagish_girl [ Reply ]

wow. this song strikes me as a parody of ignorance, but i'm not sure it's a parody.... depressing.

Posted 15 years ago by nicolaluna [ Reply ]

bindi wrote:

I am sad for all the people that don't get Richard Thompson.

I've seen him three times live and will see him any chance I get. Fabulous musician.

Awesome songwriter too.............

Posted 15 years ago by nigelr [ Reply ]

What makes Thompson think Heaven would admit his bitter, envious soul?

Posted 15 years ago by aelfheld [ Reply ]

Ugh. What a disappointing song to follow a Charlie Parker tune. I mean, yeah, the lyrics mention Charlie Parker but... Ugh.

Posted 15 years ago by Manbird [ Reply ]

Saw Thompson two years ago and realized he's been on the road continuously since the late 60s. Man. That's almost hard to imagine. Yet he doesn't seem to have lost his edge or his talent. A very enjoyable show!

Posted 15 years ago by nagsheadlocal [ Reply ]

I like the song and I love that woodcut on the album cover.

Posted 15 years ago by AlonzoTheArmless [ Reply ]

bindi wrote:

I am sad for all the people that don't get Richard Thompson.

I've seen him three times live and will see him any chance I get. Fabulous musician.

Completely agree, bindi, in every respect.

Posted 15 years ago by holborne [ Reply ]

I am sad for all the people that don't get Richard Thompson.

I've seen him three times live and will see him any chance I get. Fabulous musician.

Posted 15 years ago by bindi [ Reply ]

Charlie Parker. Charlie Parker.

I love the down home song, but I wish we could her some more Charlie Parker.

Charlie Parker.

Posted 15 years ago by Zeito [ Reply ]

Thanks for clearing it up that this is meant to be ironic or reversal. Because, honestly, from just listening to it I didn't get it.

Posted 16 years ago by zingo [ Reply ]

rdaugherty wrote:

All the comments here that Richard is a 'pretentious bastard', these 'lyrics make me ill', and related stuff is exactly what this song is about.

Thank YOU for completing the circle.

Ditto.

Posted 16 years ago by stacadette [ Reply ]

Hurts.

Posted 16 years ago by Odyzzeuz [ Reply ]

All the comments here that Richard is a 'pretentious bastard', these 'lyrics make me ill', and related stuff is exactly what this song is about. Thank YOU for completing the circle.

Posted 16 years ago by rdaugherty [ Reply ]

reindeer wrote:

I understand that it's a slam, a tongue in cheek comment on what I call "guardian idealogy" (shut out logic by plugging your ears and humming Lalalalalalala) Religious dogma and bullshit like it. I get it, I do. But It doesn't work for me. This song just irritates clear thinking logical people to no end, reminding us yet again (as if we needed reminding) that we are drowned out by those who hate anything beautiful and logical and good. This is the first song that I ever gave a one rating to. I can't get past the lyrics.

Hmmm. Are you speaking for all clear-thinking, logical people through some sort of telepathic link? I flatter myself that I am fairly clear thinking and logical and yet I am not irritated by this song. Quite the contrary I think it is a beautiful song with deep lyrics that mean far more than they seem to.

Posted 16 years ago by Marr [ Reply ]

more more Richard - he is the real thing

Posted 16 years ago by k_trout [ Reply ]

I understand that it's a slam, a tongue in cheek comment on what I call "guardian idealogy" (shut out logic by plugging your ears and humming Lalalalalalala) Religious dogma and bullshit like it. I get it, I do. But It doesn't work for me. This song just irritates clear thinking logical people to no end, reminding us yet again (as if we needed reminding) that we are drowned out by those who hate anything beautiful and logical and good. This is the first song that I ever gave a one rating to. I can't get past the lyrics.

Posted 16 years ago by reindeer [ Reply ]

secretsauce wrote:

Yes, it is an ironic statement. It is specifically aimed at fundamentalist contempt for intellectualism. (click here) Thompson ain't no moron!

Yes, nice link. RT has been delivering wit along with musical chops longer than I suspect many of these listeners have been alive. Way underappreciated and unrecognized.

Posted 16 years ago by CalOF [ Reply ]

DoctorHooey wrote:

I sure hope he's making some sort of ironic tatement with his lyrics. The last thing we need is more morons rallying behind anti-intellectualism.

You really should read the lyrics before posting something like this.

Posted 16 years ago by Hannio [ Reply ]

secretsauce wrote:

Yes, it is an ironic statement. It is specifically aimed at fundamentalist contempt for intellectualism. (click here) Thompson ain't no moron!

Thanks for the link. It does help explain the lyrics a good bit.

Posted 16 years ago by Marr [ Reply ]

radioparadisehead wrote:

Good call. Sometimes I'm just passing the time listening to RP in the background, and I hear some obnoxious dude/woman dropping names, terms, and phrasings like they are the passport to their intelligence. This guy is to intelligence what a gossipy teen girl is to good journalism.

There should be no response to your inane observations, but here goes. Sometimes I see a person stating an opinion about a subject of which he has absolutely no real knowledge, who is absolutely convinced that his observation is clever and insightful, but which really only shows abject ignorance. Unfortunately, yours falls neatly into this group. Sorry to pass this on.

Posted 16 years ago by bam23 [ Reply ]

Ugh. I think I just grew a pocket protector and a graphing calculator.

Posted 16 years ago by agnes [ Reply ]

DoctorHooey wrote:

I sure hope he's making some sort of ironic tatement with his lyrics. The last thing we need is more morons rallying behind anti-intellectualism.

Yes, it is an ironic statement. It is specifically aimed at fundamentalist contempt for intellectualism. (click here) Thompson ain't no moron!

Posted 16 years ago by secretsauce [ Reply ]

I sure hope he's making some sort of ironic tatement with his lyrics. The last thing we need is more morons rallying behind anti-intellectualism.

Posted 16 years ago by DoctorHooey [ Reply ]

zarvok wrote:

This guy's voice reminds me of Nick Cave in a big way.

Nick Cave is not fit to lick the sweat off of RT's fingerboard.

Posted 16 years ago by FlatCat [ Reply ]

brandog wrote:

pretentious bastard

Good call. Sometimes I'm just passing the time listening to RP in the background, and I hear some obnoxious dude/woman dropping names, terms, and phrasings like they are the passport to their intelligence. This guy is to intelligence what a gossipy teen girl is to good journalism.

Posted 16 years ago by radioparadisehead [ Reply ]

This guy's voice reminds me of Nick Cave in a big way.

Posted 16 years ago by zarvok [ Reply ]

RT on RP, rockin' good! But alas, does he disparage intelligentsia?

Posted 16 years ago by xc_para_puravida [ Reply ]

https://www.morethings.com/music/richard_thompson/outside_of_the_inside.htm

Posted 17 years ago by Nabla [ Reply ]

keller1 wrote:

Actually I complain all the time about every Beatles/solo Beatles tune, even the lousy ones, getting an automatic 8+ rating here, but point taken, I guess.

The Beatles, I've heard of them!

Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex [ Reply ]

dionysius wrote:

1) You've obviously never seen him play live and heard his banter between songs--he's a hoot! Brilliant British wit in evidence throughout. It's even here, just listen. 2) The guy is just as important an artist as Charlie Parker and many of the other names mentioned in this song. You wouldn't bitch about three Beatles songs in the same period, right? This is about the same.

I saw him during his "1000 Years of Popular Music" tour. His range as a musician is breathtaking. His rendition of Britney Spears "Ooops I Did it Again" was amazing, showing some serious arranging skills, musical chops, and a delightful sense of humor. "I know there is a God, I've heard Richard Thompson play the Statocaster". Anonymous.

Posted 17 years ago by healyf52 [ Reply ]

dionysius wrote:

1) You've obviously never seen him play live and heard his banter between songs--he's a hoot! Brilliant British wit in evidence throughout. It's even here, just listen. 2) The guy is just as important an artist as Charlie Parker and many of the other names mentioned in this song. You wouldn't bitch about three Beatles songs in the same period, right? This is about the same.

Actually I complain all the time about every Beatles/solo Beatles tune, even the lousy ones, getting an automatic 8+ rating here. Point taken, I guess, but at a cumulative rating of about 5, it appears that I'm not the only one who doesn't get this one.

Posted 17 years ago by keller1 [ Reply ]

dionysius wrote:

1) You've obviously never seen him play live and heard his banter between songs--he's a hoot! Brilliant British wit in evidence throughout. It's even here, just listen. 2) The guy is just as important an artist as Charlie Parker and many of the other names mentioned in this song. You wouldn't bitch about three Beatles songs in the same period, right? This is about the same.

I was outside the inside this morning and it was bloody freezing I can tell ya

Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex [ Reply ]

keller1 wrote:

After three Richard Thompson songs in two days on RP, I've concluded that 1) this guy is just way, way too earnest, and 2) that's too much Richard Thompson.

1) You've obviously never seen him play live and heard his banter between songs--he's a hoot! Brilliant British wit in evidence throughout. It's even here, just listen. 2) The guy is just as important an artist as Charlie Parker and many of the other names mentioned in this song. You wouldn't bitch about three Beatles songs in the same period, right? This is about the same.

Posted 17 years ago by dionysius [ Reply ]

If you think this song is intense, listen to "Psycho Street" from his 1991 release 'Rumor and Sigh'. His new CD, "Sweet Warrior" is fucking incredible.

Posted 17 years ago by healyf52 [ Reply ]

joeheyming wrote:

He is good at guitar, thats why I gave him a 5, but he said some lyric that made him sound really ignorant.

He's a parody but it's too subtle

Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex [ Reply ]

na, mate, not good.

Posted 17 years ago by Casa_Blanca [ Reply ]

EssexTex wrote:

Don't beat about the bush..get straight to the point!

He is good at guitar, thats why I gave him a 5, but he said some lyric that made him sound really ignorant.

Posted 17 years ago by joeheyming [ Reply ]

This guy tries way too hard.

Posted 17 years ago by o2bnsv [ Reply ]

why?

Posted 17 years ago by sugarbaby [ Reply ]

After three Richard Thompson songs in two days on RP, I've concluded that 1) this guy is just way, way too earnest, and 2) that's too much Richard Thompson.

Posted 17 years ago by keller1 [ Reply ]

Brilliant guitarist - I just wish one of his friends would point out to him what a dreary voice he has.

Posted 17 years ago by Hungerdunger [ Reply ]

joeheyming wrote:

this guy is an idiot

Don't beat about the bush..get straight to the point!

Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex [ Reply ]

this guy is an idiot

Posted 17 years ago by joeheyming [ Reply ]

Gordon Lightfoot...I hear ya

Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex [ Reply ]

pherthyl wrote:

Love that droning... cello is it?

No cello listed on the credits - possibly a harmonium?

Posted 17 years ago by maryte [ Reply ]

Please tell me I am having trouble discerning the sarcasm through the intonation mess and repetition.

Posted 17 years ago by Badfish81 [ Reply ]

These lyrics are absurdly corny.

Posted 17 years ago by sethmachine [ Reply ]

Wow. One hell of a powerful song.

Posted 17 years ago by canadave [ Reply ]

Love that droning... cello is it?

Posted 17 years ago by pherthyl [ Reply ]

Brilliant segue out of Bird's "Bird of Paradise"!

Posted 17 years ago by maryte [ Reply ]