Blogcritics Comments on Richard Thompson: He's Missing the Stew

Comment by Sister Ray

Wed, 3 May 2006 14:43:51 EDT

Jo D.: "RT's cover of Plastic Bertrand..." Does Richard cover "Ca Plane Pour Moi"? Cool! Unfortunately, the phrase "minivan-driving mom" doesn't bode well for musical taste. Sounds like Lori is a great exception to the rule, and her kids sound charming.

Comment by NR Davis

Wed, 3 May 2006 13:26:11 EDT

Why? Just be honest, which is what he apparently was in his reply. Can't fault someone for that. I've met Richard on a couple of occasions (we have a few mutual friends) and yes, he is quite self-deprecating (as am I, which is probably part of why we got on pretty well), but he is a lovely,intelligent artist (which should indicate the strong possibility of inordinate emotionality, heightened sensitivity and perhaps a wee bit of self-loathing being involved) who can be quite funny in a most British sense of the term. My kid - 10 years old two days ago - is a HUGE Richard Thompson fan. He especially likes the inappropriate ones (the ones about which we have long, thoughtful parent-child discussions), though his two faves are "Bathesheba Smiles" and "Wall of Death." VERY cool that your daughter likes him. Speaks to Mom's excellent musical taste and parenting abilities.

Comment by Peter

Wed, 3 May 2006 05:29:20 EDT

Jo D. (Feb 11 2006) was right, Lori. He's a ruefully self-deprecating kind of guy and that's what was showing in his characterisation of himself and his music as stuck somewhere between yore cheatin heart and doe a deer, a female deer; likewise the self-mockery of his most un-British lapse in vigilance about allowing his more troubled side to be excessively displayed on Action Packed. Tsk tsk. But I guess we could all lighten up a little sometimes, wouldn't you say?

Comment by Jon Sobel

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 11:48:41 EST

Excellent post! There's some great children's music out there, but I've always thought kids should be exposed to adult music too - especially with their parents, who can explain it to them (finessing when necessary).

Comment by sal m

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 08:40:34 EST

good stuff...i've always felt that you should play real music for kids for the most part and not the kiddie stuff that you might hear on barney or some other show... as to thompson's comments, maybe he just has something against happy and well-adjusted mini-van dwellers enjoying his music! i wonder how he would respond if you wrote another note and told him you were a down and out single mom who plays his music in your beat up volkswagen bus... ;)

Comment by Jo D.

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 06:48:09 EST

Lori -- I enjoyed your piece! My 19 month old rocks out to most of Mock Tudor as well -- and I was almost frightened by his delighted response to RT's cover of Plastic Bertrand on the new box set! [He sort of body slammed in his baby car seat, laughing and shrieking.] But I have to tell you -- that WAS RT's famous humor in his reply to you. He wasn't being waspish at all. Try re-reading the words with a sort of dry, very selfdeprecating British voice and see if you can't get the reply to sound funny to your ears rather than serious/condescending. best, Jo

Comment by John Spivey

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:50:39 EST

All the Richard Thompson fans come out. Good stuff. Both the music and your post.

Comment by Matt Largo

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 00:25:36 EST

Great post Lori! Richard Thompson is one of my guitar/songwriting heroes. Too Much Information: I used to do Richard Thompson at Karaoke.

Comment by lori

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 22:49:20 EST

Thanks, Eric! godo, you're not kidding about "Backlash Love Affair": She said "Left, right, right, left. Come on Joe don't be slow. Up, down, down, up. Come on Joe, time to go. In, out, out, in. Do it if you love me Joe" I know it's art for art's sake but how much more can I take? What's my share of this backlash love affair? lol... Gotta love Thompson's web site and its Song-o-Matic search page.

Comment by Eric Berlin

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 22:08:34 EST

Excellent stuff Lori !

Comment by ggo

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 15:38:10 EST

Sorry, omitted my Christian name above.

Comment by godo

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 15:34:35 EST

I bet the tot will also enjoy having "Backlash Love Affair" explained. Another problem song, I'm afraid.

Comment by Al Barger

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 15:14:40 EST

"The Little Beggar Girl" is from the Richard and Linda album I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, which you badly need. It is generally rated one of Thompson's three or four best albums. "Psycho Street" is the freaky closing number of the Rumour and Sigh album, certainly one of his couple best. It was the original source for "I Misunderstood" and "Vincent" and "I Feel So Good" among others. For point of consideration of appropriateness, the most objectionable line would probably be, "Dear Sir, I don't know if you're interested, but your wife is a whore."

Comment by lori

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 09:09:08 EST

Thanks, Mark! I think maybe that mom-in-minivan stereotype is what threw Thompson off in his response. Al, I'm not familiar with the two songs you mention, but as my daughter is getting older, I'm finding that her ear is getting better at discerning the lyrics!

Comment by Mark Saleski

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 08:52:01 EST

fantastic. i just love music-meets-real-life stories. also love how mom in a mini-van listening to Richard Thompson busts the stereotype of what a mom would be listening to.

Comment by Al Barger

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 05:31:56 EST

What kind of six year old child gets into that dour "Uninhabited Man" stuff? Lord Ayn have mercy. Ever spring "The Little Beggar Girl" on your spawn? "Psycho Street" might would be fun for the kiddies, but I suppose that's several steps of inappropriateness past that half-naked woman in "I Feel So Good."