Review: Richard Thompson, Bath Forum

Richard Thompson is nearly 70. Grey goatee, sleeveless denim jacket, trademark beret. He has the look of a retired social worker. A gentle, thoughtful sort. But looks can be deceptive…

This was an edgy, taut performance delivered with a quiet knowing smile. His songs don’t only think you’ve been looking at their pint funny, they’re planning on giving you a right shoeing come closing time. Lionel Richie and Ed Sheeran can rest assured that Thompson is not going to worry their place in the wedding DJs repertoire any time soon.

In any list of great British songwriters (outside the holy grail of The Beatles catalogue) only Ray Davies, Costello or Difford & Tilbrook can come close. Thompson is without peer as a guitarist. His songs are knotty melodramas peeking under the duvet of fractured relationships. Harold Pinter walking round town with a copy of Electric Ladyland under his arm.

He’s in town to promote 13 Rivers the latest in a now long list of solo releases following his early days in Fairport Convention and his iconic early 70s releases with his then wife Linda. 13 Rivers is a record that sounds fresher and more vital than it has any right to so long into this career.

Tonight is the Electric Trio that he has toured for the past few years, alternating with solo acoustic outings. Taras Prodaniuk on bass and Michael Jerome on drums, with occasional rhythm guitar support from roadie Bobby. They are a muscular and tight outfit with the trio format giving them each room to make their identities clear whilst still gelling as a noisy, rocking combo.

This evening’s performance is mapped out by the loud twitchy neurosis of newies Her Love Was Meant For Me and The Rattle Within, coupled with digs into his extensive catalogue for I’ll Never Give It Up and Can’t Win. His solo on the latter is an extraordinary, vicious thing that leaves the audience pinned to their seats with its sheer visceral power.

Light to that shade is provided by folky and melodic interludes. Take Care The Road You Choose is dreamy and beautiful. His finest folk informed songs, Beeswing and 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, are delightfully played solo tonight. There are a couple of nods to his teenage self in Fairport and the set ended with a tough sounding run through a 60s British Psych Freakbeat classic, The Sorrows’ Take a Heart. They left the audience on their feet – battered, bruised but euphoric in response to the vitality and virtuosity of the performance.

Opening up were Kentucky’s Joan Shelley and Nathan Salsburg. Last year’s Jeff Tweedy produced album was a real highlight and had found its way onto many writers end of year ‘best- of’ lists. Shelley’s voice sits in a delightful place somewhere between Judee Sill and June Tabor. Their acoustic guitar interplay recalling Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. They are writing beautiful material in the American folk tradition and if you find yourself in the female vocal section of the record shop you should give them a go.