A live conversation with Richard Thompson, songwriter, singer, virtuoso guitarist and co-founder of legendary folk-rock group Fairport Convention is an exciting last-minute addition to the eclectic line-up for this week’s Sidmouth Folk Festival Online.
Richard Thompson has been very busy the last few years…last year, saw the release of Hard Luck Stories Box Set, Richard and Linda Thompson’s first-ever comprehensive career retrospective including 31 previously unreleased recordings which Danny Neill reviewed here. Then earlier this year Richard published his autobiography, Beeswing: Fairport, Folk Rock and Finding My Voice, 1967–75.
I encourage everybody to read this wonderful book . . . I listened again to the Fairport records, while reading the book, and its something it makes you want to do. — Elvis Costello
Richard has featured regularly on Folk Radio – last year, Bob Fish caught up with the man in Illinois where he busted some myths and shared memories that included jamming with Jimi Hendrix and in 2019 Danny Neill attended his 70th Birthday at the Royal Albert Hall (reviewed here)which featured an incredible line-up of guests “the royalty of 20th-century folk music”.
Those of you that have followed our coverage will know that Richard is a great storyteller…remember that story about Bob Dylan collecting scrap to make gates? We thought he was pulling our leg? He wasn’t…
In short, a Richard Thompson interview is always going to reveal something new or unexpected, he’s the ideal interviewee.
So, From 6 pm on Friday, August 6, Richard will be talking with fellow musician Paul Sartin via Zoom about his intimate autobiography, Beeswing. And he’ll be answering questions sent in by the audience, either in advance or via the event’s online chat room.
In his highly acclaimed memoir, released this spring, Richard, who last headlined at Sidmouth in 2019, goes back to his childhood and reflects on a heady period of personal creative intensity in the 1960s and 70s. He details life on the road, his relationship with bandmate Sandy Denny, playing alongside Jimi Hendrix and Nick Drake, a devastating car crash, his partnership with his ex-wife Linda and his personal, spiritual journey from esoteric bookshops to extraordinary meetings with saints in Morocco.
This conversation with a revered folk hero is a must-see event on the Sidmouth online calendar. To book your virtual seat visit http://sidmouthfolkfestival-live.co.uk/workshops.php.
Sidmouth Folk Festival Online is running alongside A Celebration of Sidmouth Folk Festival – a feast of eclectic live folk-fuelled entertainment happening in heart of the East Devon seaside town, including headline performances from Show of Hands, Eliza Carthy Trio, Jez Lowe, Jackie Oates and John Spiers and Seth Lakeman, finishing with Talisk tomorrow (Thursday) and Banter on Friday from 7.30pm. Visit sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk