Richard Thompson Sage Gateshead Jan 26 2011
Will and I went to see Richard Thompson at the Sage last week. Will is now well into Richard, having got the latest CD Dream Attic in preparation for the show. I’m afraid I wasn’t so prepared, so the first half of the show was all new to me. However that didn’t stop me from enjoying the show. Richard’s band was spot on, and his singing and guitar playing was excellent with quite a few extended solos. The second half of the show consisted of a selection of songs from his “greatest hits’, a few of which I actually recognised.
Richard has been getting a lot of good press recently, and it is much deserved. The show at the Sage demonstrated just how versatile he is and how strong his songs are. His guitar playing is superb; he is under-rated as a guitarist and is up there with the greats.
Both Will and I agreed it was a great show from a true master.
Band: Pete Zorn (guitars, flute, saxes, mandolin), Michael Jerome (drums), Taras Prodaniuk (bass) and Joel Zifkin (violin, mandolin).
Setlist:
First half (Dream Attic) :The Money Shuffle; Among the Gorse; Haul Me Up; Here Comes Geordie; Demons in Her Dancing Shoes; Crimescene; Big Sun; Stumble On; Sidney Wells; A Brother Slips Away; If Love Whispers Your Name’
Second half: The Angels Took My Race Horse Away; Can’t Win; One Door Opens; Al Bowlly’s In Heaven; I’ll Never Give it Up; Wall Of Death; Tear Stained Letter
Encores: Take Care The Road You Choose; I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight’.
ticket
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Posted by Craig Jackson on July 13, 2020 at 1:05 pm
I missed this gig Peter but I do try and catch RT every time he plays the Sage, which is regularly since its opening. Been a fan since the Richard & Linda days, he’s criminally underrated, he show be as well known as say Knopfler! I Want to see the Bright Lights Tonight is one of my all time fav albums and he’s made other classics as well. Saw him a couple of times at the Newcastle Playhouse in the 80’s, and at the Riverside and City Hall as well. Lost touch until I caught him at the Tyne Theatre around 2000 that reminded me just how great he is and have tried to catch him on each visit to the region since. He’s an absolute master.
Posted by vintagerock on July 13, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Hi Craig
I agree. But for some reason, and to my shame, I have not been to see Richard Thompson that many times. I did see Richard and Linda Thompson support Traffic many years ago at the City Hall, but I have a few memories of them now. Best wishes Peter
Posted by adam evans on January 10, 2023 at 12:13 am
Shoot out the Lights would be in my top ten albums of all time and RT is one of the greatest live acts around, no bells or whistles, just sheer musicianship, great banter and even better songs, the best living guitar player in my opinion, I’ve seen him a fair few times over the years, first and best time at the London Palladium in 1994, one of the best gigs I’ve ever been too, his playing that night was next level, and though nothing since has quite lived up to that performance, he’s remarkably consistent. Funnily enough I missed this gig due to work commitments but have seen him a few times at the Sage, he’s always worth the POA.
Posted by vintagerock on January 10, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Hi Adam he is someone I must go and see more often! I first saw him with his then wife Linda in the early 70s supporting Traffic at the City Hall. Happy days Peter