Beeswing

Starred review from March 1, 2021

Singer-songwriter-guitarist extraordinaire Thompson has been performing and recording music of great proficiency and depth for more than 50 years: as a founding member of the legendary and genre-creating folk rock group Fairport Convention; as a duo with his then-wife Linda; and as a solo artist, with stunning results. Like his songs, his memoir is character-focused, emotionally resonant, introspective, and written with a master's sympathy, depth, and touch. An innovative songwriter and a talented and congenial sideman, Thompson has had ample opportunity to play with a range of musicians, many of whom have achieved acclaimed status, and fascinating tales abound here. As a storyteller, Thompson describes moments of emotional withdrawal and occasional self-criticism--understandably, given that he's had his share of hardship and tragedy. He is never less than razor-sharp, and credit is due for including both the highs and lows. VERDICT Thompson's spell is never broken, and, as on disc, his is a welcome voice to meet on the page. Readers will be eager for the next volume of the story. Like a great Richard Thompson solo, this title contains surprise, beauty, delight, and a voice like no other. His autobiography is as welcome as it is long overdue.--Bill Baars, formerly with Lake Oswego P.L., OR

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2021
Memories from the early, fruitful era in the acclaimed musician's career. In his detailed memoir, British singer/songwriter and guitarist Thompson recounts his unexpected rise from rebellious teen to influential rocker with Fairport Convention; the duo he formed with his ex-wife, Linda Thompson; and as a solo artist. For anyone who has heard Thompson classics like "Walking on a Wire" or "I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight," it's no surprise that he knows how to tell a story and turn a phrase. He offers plenty of insight into the early days of Fairport Convention and its ever changing lineup along with charming anecdotes about getting stopped by German customs agents for carrying laundry soap in his bag or how his family name went from Thomson to Thompson due to a printing error on a brass nameplate his great-grandfather bought for his front door. What about the author's songwriting inspiration? "Parents, partners and friends rarely understand that staring blankly out of the window is an important part of the creative process, and only occasionally an excuse for doing nothing." As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that there are subjects he is happy to discuss--his quest for religious fulfillment or his career as a session musician--and those he is not, including his courting and breakup with Linda or his family life. The holes may not have been as noticeable if the text didn't move chronologically, using albums and tours to move the narrative forward rather than the major events of his life. That combination leads to awkward placeholders like, "Linda had gone through a fairly routine pregnancy and had given birth to our daughter Muna a few months earlier," that could have been emotional centerpieces. Fans of Thompson's music will enjoy the stories behind his career, but those new to his cool style may find it a little cold.

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Starred review from March 15, 2021
Thompson has a reputation as a guitarists' guitarist and a top-notch singer-songwriter. While in his teens, he cofounded the British folk-rock band Fairport Convention, incorporating elements of Celtic and other traditional music with electric stylings influenced by Bob Dylan and American blues. Thompson recorded five iconic records while he was with the band and several critically acclaimed records with Linda Thompson and launched a successful solo career that is still going strong today. With Beeswing, Thompson proves himself equally adept as a memoirist, ably capturing the 1960s and '70s music scene; the exciting, exhausting, and harrowing life on the road; and his spiritual awakening when he finds affirmation, fulfillment, and peace in Sufism. Just as he has a knack for lyrics, Thompson has a way with words on the page, offering colorful portraits of his contemporaries and collaborators, including the immensely talented though self-destructive Sandy Denny, Fairport's singer. He foreshadows the horrifying car crash that killed his girlfriend and the band's young drummer, stating "the road owned us, clothed us and fed us . . . [and] from time to time, it exacted a tribute." Thompson's humor and insight also shine. He evocatively recreates a time and place, and. like his shows, his memoir leaves you wanting more.

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