Beeswing: Fairport, Folk Rock and Finding My Voice, 1967–75

His songs are great. Guitar playing great. The book sheds light on many songs and the whole rock and folk rock scene that emerged out of London. I didn't want it to end. Another volume is in order. Please.

Excelente libro, increíble retrato de la escena folk rock inglesa de los 60s-70s. Edición en tapa blanda es de la calidad de las páginas amarillas, pero de oferta merece la pena si eres fan.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was a really entertaining and engaging read. My only slight criticism is a I felt it was all wound up towards the end at a slightly accelerated pace, as if the author had wanted to finish the book and get back to his life, which indeed may have been the case. The quality of the writing throughout is very good, you come away feeling that somehow, whilst RT has opened the door a little, its only a partial view into his heart and mind. There again, whilst I would love to read more about his spiritual journey, it’s deeply personal and ultimately, nobody’s business but Richard’s.

Although RT keeps a dark hand over his heart, there are strong glimpses into it on this long awaited memoir. He has written in an open and warm style, and his corny humour comes through so that you know it is 100% him. The powerful chapter on the Fairport motorway tragedy is well written and painfully described - this had a much bigger impact on them than we ever realised at the time. The book only takes us to 1975 and there are several factual errors that completists like me will spot - no mention of Sour Grapes by name, for some odd reason. Yet errors aside it is a compelling read and covers the early Fairport days and those first 5 albums plus Richard & Linda's time together. Not perfect but certainly a must for all RT and Fairport lovers.

I found this memoir so enthralling that I sat up until dawn was breaking to finish it. As somebody who was at many of the events mentioned in it and who has seen and enjoyed Richard Thompson in nearly every musical version of himself he presented over the years I found it fascinating. (There are some parts of it I am going to be waving triumphantly at younger friends who chose to believe the hagiographic accounts of the era compiled by people who weren't born at the time, rather than me.)However do be prepared for a few shocks. (If you were around in the 60s and 70s you would have already known RT wasn't approachable, unlike the generally friendly attitude taken by his associates towards us fans and minor musicians. ) Although one doesn't expect the obssessive writer of such bleak songs to come across as warm and uncomplicated it still came as a surprise at how sour and dismissive he often was about other people and how few words were devoted to his personal relationships, where he mentions them at all. (He would have impressed me far more by honestly confronting his own bad behaviour toward Linda and his kids than briefly skating round it as "guilty of falling out of love with Linda and wanting to end it")This contrasts somewhat starkly with the long, loving descriptions of favourite guitars and recording techniques. To be fair it should be borne in mind that his co-writer committed suicide half way through the book, so can't have been in a good state and he might have influenced the tone.This book isn't perfect, being noticeably truncated, but it makes a change from the music memoirs that are often just a strung together collection of well polished anecdotes. It does hint at how difficult being - and being with- an obsessed musician is too. There are a lot of entertaining reminiscences that convey the feeling of the era well and seem authentic.This is an enthralling volume, despite its brevity and omissions and I still persist in regarding Richard Thompson as a phenomenally talented guitarist and songwriter. Unfortunately I don't believe there is likely to be an expanded version of or a sequel to this book, however fervently it is wanted. I recommend it despite its shortcomings.