Richard Thompson

The packed concert hall of Brighton’s Dome was wall-to-wall Thompson fans, all ready to listen to their idol as he picked and plucked his way through a set that spanned so many musical styles. There is little doubt that Thompson is an amazing musician and he is also an amazing songsmith and lyricist, up there with the best of them and way beyond some who think they write great songs. In a mainly electric set and with superb bass and drum support he showed his prowess as a soloist – maybe just a bit too much. With perhaps one thunderously good solo too many it teetered between genius and indulgence, a sort of Jimi Hendrix does folk rock at times, but that in itself was fascinating – and an encore of ‘Bee’s Wing’ more than made up for it.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 22 February 2013

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