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Richard Thompson's Favourite Covers of His Own Songs -- Count Five

Richard ThompsonBeesweb

Richard Thompson has written and recorded more than 400 songs over the course of his 40 year music career.

Through his work with British folk rock group Fairport Convention, collaborations with now ex-wife Linda Thompson, and decades spent as a solo artist, Thompson has earned a reputation as one of the best and most versatile guitarists around. His songwriting has also received wide-ranging accolades, including the esteemed Ivor Novello Award.

The London, England-born artist -- who released the live album 'Dream Attic' this past summer which he's currently touring across North America-- is held in such high regard that he's been the subject of two tribute albums and his songs have been reinterpreted by performers as diverse as Robert Plant, R.E.M., Los Lobos and the Blind Boys Of Alabama.

Of all these covers, Spinner asked the 61-year-old to list his five favourite Thompson tracks recast. Here are his answers:

5. Elvis Costello -- 'End of the Rainbow'

He's a great singer of his own songs, and also a great interpreter of other people's songs. He does a great version of that song. He captures the angst and the darkness of the song.


4. June Tabor -- 'Mrs. Rita'

The song was written for a TV series about industrial relations and wages in Britain. June is a great singer. She could sing the telephone directory and it would sound fabulous. It's a great version of the song.

3. Dinosaur Jr. -- 'I Misunderstood'

It's a way that I couldn't have imagined doing that song, which is why I like it so much. It's a different arrangement that takes it somewhere else -- I find that quite exciting.



2. Swan Arcade -- 'The Great Valerio'

Swan Arcade was a four-piece unaccompanied vocal group that sang sea shanties and things like that, and I thought they did an amazing job on that song because it has a difficult harmonic structure. It's on a record that came out in the '70s and it's pretty obscure. It didn't sell many copies, I have a vinyl copy somewhere.

1. Bonnie Raitt -- 'Dimming of the Day'

"She's just a fabulous singer. She makes everything sound so effortless that it's just glorious, she has great soul as well."

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nckjj

Check out Curtis Stigers' "Waltzing for Dreamers" on his latest album, Wonderful. Why hasn't anyone recorded " King of Bohemia" which I rate as RT's best song.

July 22 2012 at 5:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim DeBiase

Definitely Bonnie Raitt's rendition of When the Spell is Broken for her slide guitar work and incredible back up band!

December 11 2010 at 6:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brendan

Grand choices all, to which I would add X's "Shoot Out The Lights" and Bob Mould's "Turning Of The Tide" (both on Beat The Retreat), also Full Moon Fair's "Night Comes In" (on The World Is A Wonderful Place), which is just odd enough to be thoroughly compelling. And, whilst not quite on-topic, one would be remiss not to mention RT's version of Donovan's "Season Of The Witch" (on the Crossing Jordan soundtrack), which may be one of the best covers, ever, by anyone.

November 22 2010 at 10:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gordon

What about Del McCourey's covers, Faded Love and Vincent Black Lighting. I wonder if Richard even knows those have been done?

November 22 2010 at 3:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Gordon's comment
Ernest Johnson

Del McCoury's version of 1952 Vincent Black Lightning won 2003 Song of the Year from the Int'l Bluegrass Music Association. I have it on good authority that Richard received a nice little statue for it.
There's a long list of covers in the Song-O-Matic section of Beesweb, Richard's website.

November 27 2010 at 12:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
I Zarkov

I love The House Band's version of 'We're All Working for the Pharaoh'

November 22 2010 at 2:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Meredith Regal

I also loved Michael Doucet's version of "Woman or Man" on the album "Cajun Brew."

November 22 2010 at 1:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply