Monday, June 29, 2009

Driving 972 extra miles to see the God of Guitar



I worship this guy. The undisputed God of Guitar. Songwriter Extraordinaire. And the world's hottest 60 year old. Rawr.

Take that guitar out of your lap so I can sit there, please.




Richard Thompson is exactly my type - a self-deprecating, extraordinarily talented Englishman whose mischievous grin makes me weak in the knees. We drove from Ashland to Santa Cruz, CA to listen to him play a two hour show. It was worth every penny, every minute.

Professor X introduced me to his music when we lived in upstate New York 15 years ago. I became a very enthusiastic disciple. During our year in Ireland, we flew to England to catch several of his shows and the kids loved him. When I saw that RT wasn't playing anyplace remotely near Portland, but he was in northern California, I decided to piggyback the trip on to our Ashland adventure. And we presented the tickets to Prof. X as his Father's Day gift.

Because I am selflessly thoughtful like that.

His music is unlike anyone else's. His songs are brilliant. Some, like Dad's Gonna Kill Me, about a soldier in Baghdad, are overtly political. Others, like The Sights and Sounds of London Town, are awesome commentaries on the human condition. The melodies are deceptively cheerful; the lyrics have a very dark side, a bitterness. He's like the best chocolate mousse ever. Sweet but complex. His skill with a guitar is unparalleled. I hope he lives forever.

8 comments:

Barry said...

After watching that amazing YouTube video, I've just discovered one of the most amazing artists I've never heard of before.

Seems I need a professor X in my life to give me a heads up!

kyooty said...

I have never heard of him. I learn something new each time I drop by here.

Bee said...

There is a true art to gift-giving, and you have mastered it! I only had to drive 30 miles to see the stupendously talented RT, but I would have driven more.

(funnily enough, Si didn't swoon at his charms as much as I did. Jealous, methinks? we have alarmingly similar taste in men)

Bee said...

There is a true art to gift-giving, and you have mastered it! I only had to drive 30 miles to see the stupendously talented RT, but I would have driven more.

(funnily enough, Si didn't swoon at his charms as much as I did. Jealous, methinks? we have alarmingly similar taste in men)

Bee said...

RT rates THREE comments from me. (Like I meant to do that.)

Jason, as himself said...

972 miles? One way?

Well, if he is a God, I guess that's worth it.

shrink on the couch said...

And all wrapped up in black leather. Yum.

momiji said...

One word for him: AWESOME!!!