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emckeon1002's review
4.0
A must for Richard Thompson fans. Thompson is a very fine writer, and if you're interested in how he came to the music he creates now, this is the book for you. As a musician, of course, he spends a lot of time on how he came to music, and the musicians he performed with, and there's a bit of the inner dialogue, but, of course, he's remembering 50-60 years hence. His "British reservation" and his general personal reservation means that we don't get an intimate glimpse at his relationships or his trauma (this is not sex and drug and folk and roll), but it's a look at a period in music that many of us admire. Thompson himself is a genius guitarist, but not a superstar, nor are the great musicians he came up with, including Nick Drake, Dandy Denny and many others. The book ends just about at the moment his marriage disintegrates, and there's not much of a sense that he had, or has, much clarity, or is willing to share the struggles. Still, as a Thompson fan, I enjoyed it very much.
caroparr's review
4.0
A memoir by one of my favorite musicians, this is a trip down memory lane (we're about the same age) except for a few details - for example, unlike the author, I did not found Fairport Convention and don't play guitar better than almost anyone. But if you lived through the 60s and 70s RT will bring back memories of the time, the place and the music. I was lucky enough to see Richard and Linda in concert just before they broke up, and the music they made together was astonishing. A delight.
chris_davies's review against another edition
3.0
I found this an entertaining, if somewhat arms length, autobiography. There's lots of 'this happened, then that happened', but not a lot of 'I felt' or 'I thought'. This renders the book at bit sterile - reduced at points to a list of events - which is a shame, as the moments where Thompson does open up a bit are amongst the most engaging in the book. His musings on Nick Drake (something of a kindred spirit) and Sandy Denny, and a story about the unwanted attentions of a young fan, are particularly affecting.
I suppose, given Thompson's clearly introverted nature, a dramatic, warts and all type biography was too much to expect. Nevertheless, this provides a worthwhile diversion and is well worth reading whilst listening to the music being described.
I suppose, given Thompson's clearly introverted nature, a dramatic, warts and all type biography was too much to expect. Nevertheless, this provides a worthwhile diversion and is well worth reading whilst listening to the music being described.
misanthrope's review
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.5
I love the music but very leery of delving into the life of the artist as it tends to reveal a lack of self awareness (Tom Petty, Gregg Allman) or a lack of depth (Heart). Richard has more than enough self awareness, humility and gratitude. He is also very careful to protect those he loves and has loved so there is very little examination or revelation. The book did no damage to reputation but does not reveal much either. I am looking forward to Bob Dylan's potential book on song writing but I would have loved to hear more from Richard on this as well.
peterdonelan's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Thompson was a leading light of the English folk-rock scene. This autobiography
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