Review: Richard Thompson, Grand Opera House, York, Sunday (From York Press)

Review: Richard Thompson, Grand Opera House, York, Sunday

10:10am Tuesday 18th January 2011 in Music news and reviews By Julian Cole

THIS reviewer has seen Thompson many times and he has never been better. His performance was blisteringly marvellous.

Thompson gigs follow two templates: acoustic solo or full-band electric. This one fell loudly into the second category.

On tour to promote Dream Attic, a collection of new songs recorded live, Thompson and his four musicians performed most of the album in the first half, then returned to play his “greatest hits – but very much with a small ‘h’,” as Richard put it.

Highlights from the first half numbered Haul Me Up, Demons In Her Dancing Shoes, A Brother Slips Away and If Love Whispers Your Name. The second half was one extended high spot; if forced to choose, the electric workout of Can’t Win, with its furiously beautiful guitar solo, stood out. But then, so too did Tearstained Letter, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight and Wall Of Death.

Thompson thrives with other musicians – and what a band he had here: multi-instrumentalist Pete Zorn skipped dexterously between assorted saxophones, flute, mandolin and guitar, excelling at each; violinist Joel Zifkin massaged melodies into life; larkish bass player Taras Prodaniuk drove the songs alone; and drummer Michael Jerome mixed delicate rhythmic touches with the full muscled percussion.

As for Thompson, he played like a Stratocaster-wielding demon, yet also supplied wonderful acoustic jazz guitar on Al Bowlly’s In Heaven.

He was on stage for close on two and a half hours, and the sold-out audience would have stayed for more.