When I was young my Dad would take me to the cinema. He loved movies and he would take me to all the local cinemas around Sunderland and Newcastle. There were so many more cinemas in those days. We would go three or four times a week to the cinema. I saw every Walt Disney cartoon, all the Sean Connery James Bond films, Cliff Richard in Summer Holiday and all his other films, the Beatles in Hard Day’s Night and Help and just about every film that came out during the early to mid-1960s. I even remember going in the middle of the night to watch a grainy image of Cassius Clay fighting at a live screening in a cinema in Newcastle. And another vivid memory is of going one Saturday afternoon to the Stoll Theatre to see the original (and best in my view) King Kong. I remember being terrified when Kong first appeared on the screen. Well, I guess you are wondering why I am starting my post with this story. The connection is this. The Stoll Theatre is now the Tyne Theatre.
So, roll on almost 60 years and I am back in the Tyne Theatre. Thanks to a restoration it still has all the original, ornate features and is a fantastic old theatre and opera house. And this time it is to see a giant of folk and rock music, Richard Thompson. I first encountered Richard Thompson when I saw him perform as part of a duo with his then wife Linda, supporting Traffic at Newcastle City Hall in the early 1970s. I then lost touch with Richard and his music until relatively recently when I saw him at the Sage, Gateshead and realised just what I had been missing. The man is an incredible musician, singer, guitarist and storyteller. He can switch from intricate fingerpicking on an acoustic guitar to beautiful electric guitar. He has a large back catalogue of songs starting with his time as a member of Fairport Convention in the late 1960s through his work with Linda and then his solo career.
Jackie and I arrived in time to catch the support act, I think they were called Memoir, an excellent duo with great songs. After a short interval, Richard took the stage. Tonight, we were treated to Richard the solo artist and folk singer with acoustic guitar. Later on in the set he was accompanied by a female singer. At one point he told us how, as a young man, he would travel from his home in North London to the Marquee Club in Soho, to see tremendous acts of the time including The Who, The Move and on a Friday night, the Yardbirds. He said he would stand, in awe, at the feet of the late great Jeff Beck.
Richard took us through a selection of his extensive repertoire including back to a song he wrote with Fairport Convention “Genesis Hall” and a lovely rendition of “Who knows where the time goes” written during his time with Fairport Convention by the unique talent that was Sandy Denny. I particularly like the song “Beeswing” which is quite haunting. Throughout, his guitar playing was impeccable and his unique voice draws you into the story behind the song. I am now completely sold on the talent of Richard Thompson and will try and see him each time he visits the region.
Setlist (Something like): Gethsemane; If I Could Live My Life Again; Genesis Hall; Valerie; Walking the Long Miles Home; Down Where the Drunkards Roll; Johnny’s Far Away; 1952 Vincent Black Lightning; Singapore Sadie; Trust; Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen; Who Knows Where the Time Goes; I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight; The Rattle Within.
Encore: Beeswing
Encore 2: Tinker’s Rhapsody; Keep Your Distance.
No photography was allowed. Pictures of Kong and Richard Thompson are courtesy of Wikimedia Commons which is a treasure trove of images which you can use free of charge.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Andy Forster on June 24, 2023 at 8:41 pm
Always loved how, despite being from London, he sings in a Teesside accent!
Posted by vintagerock on June 25, 2023 at 9:35 am
Cheers Andy. Not sure I notice a Teesside accent however. Happy days Peter
Posted by john on June 25, 2023 at 7:06 am
Hi Peter,
A great artist! I first heard him with Fairport at the Redcar Coatham Bowl and when I heard his guitar playing on Full House I thought he was special.
I only recently heard 1952 Vincent Black Lighting live recording on Youtube and was in awe of his acoustic guitar work as were the other musicians and the audience. Best wishes John.
Posted by vintagerock on June 25, 2023 at 9:33 am
Hi John Agreed! I only just realised how class he is! Happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on August 21, 2023 at 9:57 am
Hi Peter,
Just catching up with this one. One of my favourite artists.
Richard Thompson has such a back catalogue, that it’s impossible to keep track of all his songs, and there are so many really great ones.
I always liked Fairport Convention and Richard and Linda Thompson’s records, and often try out Youtube for songs I know less well. The concert you describe sounds like another excellent one. Richard is one musician who is well served by a solo performance in a nice venue. His guitar playing is just so good, as you noted in your blog. And his songs are so memorable.
Another nice thing about your review was your memories of your cinema going days with your Dad. They sound like good days and nights with some nice memories. It must be nice to visit the Tyne Theatre again in its former glory. Richard Thompson would be great anywhere but maybe even better in a venue like this.
I see from the setlist that Richard played some of my favourite of his songs: 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, I want to see the bright lights tonight, Down where the drunkards roll, and so many others. But best of all for me would have been ‘Beeswing’, a gem of a song. The album version has some backing musicians, I think, but the link below is a brilliant version (I think from the BBC originally), just Richard Thomson and his guitar with lovely playing and singing.
Thanks for the review of a great artist.
Posted by vintagerock on August 21, 2023 at 11:44 am
Hi Ciaran
Many thanks for your comments. Yes I used to love going to the cinema with my Dad. I agree “Beeswing” is a beautiful song. I am pleased that I have managed to renew my interest in Richard Thompson’s music. Happy days Peter