Absolutely Peggy. Beautiful version. Always moved by this song right from the FC Unhalfbricking days. Isn't it great how a song lives on when the original singer's gone ... Mr Thompson does it a treat!
Adjrean57 I loved your comment. It amazes me how someone can watch an incredible musician play and sing for free and find something to bitch about.... I've seen Richard about 9 times,I've never heard him do this.... it's amazing!
When a legend pays homage to another legend, especially in this case Legendary Singer -Songwriter, Richard Thompson honoring another legendary singer- songwriter, and former band mate (Fairport Convention) , Sandy Denny, upon her passing, with one of her songs, comes from every bit of his heart. Hasn't anybody ever heard a truly heartfelt tribute, and appreciated it for what it truly is: A tribute. I'm getting disgusted with the critics who think that someone else sang the song better. Richard Thompson's guitar has an angelic voice of it's own, to compliment his equally fine voice. Remove your heart from your asses, and maybe your head will come out, so that your ears will hear the beautiful, melodic tribute that I am hearing. I do apologize, to those of you who do appreciate, and realize what tribute means, especially when one musical genius, is honoring one of their own. Peace
Well said. And I was there....goosebumps and tears streaming in my scrumpy cider at the same time. Amazing that he'd just played in Italy the night before and I saw him arrive in a taxi with his guitar and case at this tiny festival. Legend. Long live Sandy. And fellow legend Dave Swarbrick.......
I love this--such an intense emotional performance by RT. I adore the Sandy Denny original, and Nina Simone's cover--of course Richard can't touch either of those--but there is NO other man I can think of who would even attempt it, much less nail it with such passion.
Saw Dave Cousins sing it live and get teary doing so. He admitted afterwards it was the first time he had ever done so in front of an audience. Something very special about that and this version knowing they knew and were friends and colleagues of Sandy.
Richard is using this tuning: C-G-D-G-B-E. You drop the Low E down 2-steps to Low C; and Low A down 1-step to Low G. The remaining 4 strings remain in Standard D-G-B-E. Watch his fingers on the first chord of the Chorus "Who knows" which is a standard fingered D Major, while his thumb wraps around the lower neck to press on the 2nd Fret, bringing the Low C up to a Low D, for a full sounding Drop D chord. Otherwise, you'll have to listen and watch his hand placement to see the other chords he's playing which are usually just two fingered chords, 3 fingers in some cases. Give it a look, see, try!
I like Richard Thomson but he is very careless with the lyrics, losing about 10 percent of the expressiveness of the song. Find Sandy's own version with 12-string, this seems to be the definitive one. The lyrics are a perfect poem and deserve respect.
He Massacres this. I never liked Richard Thompson's guitar playing or singing beyond his decent lead guitars meanderings on Fairport /Nick Drake's albums.
Stunningly beautiful and the guitar is like an orchestra. How does he do it and let's hope he never stops.
Absolutely Peggy. Beautiful version. Always moved by this song right from the FC Unhalfbricking days. Isn't it great how a song lives on when the original singer's gone ... Mr Thompson does it a treat!
If I was ever able to play guitar like this I would gladly jump off a bridge knowing now my life is perfect and I need nothing more. :-)
Adjrean57 I loved your comment. It amazes me how someone can watch an incredible musician play and sing for free and find something to bitch about.... I've seen Richard about 9 times,I've never heard him do this.... it's amazing!
Richard is, and has been, so underrated, a great musician that I have had the privilege to have listened to live at Croperdy many times.
When a legend pays homage to another legend, especially in this case Legendary Singer -Songwriter, Richard Thompson honoring another legendary singer- songwriter, and former band mate (Fairport Convention) , Sandy Denny, upon her passing, with one of her songs, comes from every bit of his heart. Hasn't anybody ever heard a truly heartfelt tribute, and appreciated it for what it truly is: A tribute. I'm getting disgusted with the critics who think that someone else sang the song better. Richard Thompson's guitar has an angelic voice of it's own, to compliment his equally fine voice. Remove your heart from your asses, and maybe your head will come out, so that your ears will hear the beautiful, melodic tribute that I am hearing. I do apologize, to those of you who do appreciate, and realize what tribute means, especially when one musical genius, is honoring one of their own. Peace
Phizeke S Well said! When I hear his playing I hear an angelic choir. If one is in touch they will hear everyone and everything in this cover.
Well said. And I was there....goosebumps and tears streaming in my scrumpy cider at the same time. Amazing that he'd just played in Italy the night before and I saw him arrive in a taxi with his guitar and case at this tiny festival. Legend. Long live Sandy. And fellow legend Dave Swarbrick.......
You described that well. I can see it in my mind. Tis amazing how hard he works. The sheer number of great songs and tour dates boggles the mind.
Awesome rendition by Richard! Sandy Denny would be proud!
Absolutely wonderful and totally agree with what you said about Sandy - her amazing talent should not be overlooked!
Saw him do it live in Dublin last year stunning
Nobody can sing this song as well as Sandy Denny. Not even Nina Simone (and she was a legendary singer!). Great to hear him singing it though!
+altclut Judy Collins and Eva Cassidy, both, do it some justice as well.
When a song gives wings to your soul. Grazie
Beautiful and calming......
..after all he's been through, and all he's seen, how can he keep from crying?
Simply Amazing guy!
i was there, fantastic gig!
I love this--such an intense emotional performance by RT. I adore the Sandy Denny original, and Nina Simone's cover--of course Richard can't touch either of those--but there is NO other man I can think of who would even attempt it, much less nail it with such passion.
Saw Dave Cousins sing it live and get teary doing so. He admitted afterwards it was the first time he had ever done so in front of an audience. Something very special about that and this version knowing they knew and were friends and colleagues of Sandy.
Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard Thompson reference Nick Drake, despite having played on his albums and doubtlessly known him.
wordofgord
He played it as the last song on 22/07/09 at Durham ( England).
Wow.
I would love a tab for this version if anyone could help with that?
Sandy Denny wrote it...he pointed that out at the beginning.
Great catch! He hardly ever plays this. On his website he claims to have only played it 3or 4 times since 1972.
@DavidSWP74 It's a whole lot better than Eva Cassidy's ghastly AOR version. That sounds like Britney Spears fronting the Eagles.
Does anyone know what tuning this is played in? I would love to learn how to play it.
CGDGBE
Richard is using this tuning: C-G-D-G-B-E. You drop the Low E down 2-steps to Low C; and Low A down 1-step
to Low G.
The remaining 4 strings remain in Standard D-G-B-E.
Watch his fingers on the first chord of the Chorus "Who knows" which is a standard fingered D Major, while his thumb wraps around the lower neck to press on the 2nd Fret, bringing the Low C up to a Low D, for a full sounding Drop D chord.
Otherwise, you'll have to listen and watch his hand placement to see the other chords he's playing which are usually just two fingered chords, 3 fingers in some cases.
Give it a look, see, try!
@thewordofgord he uses the nick drake reference everytime he does this song which is quite regular now. he is a huge drake fan.
Black muddy river how to play
Reminds me of Nick Cave, minus piano, replaced by guitar.
I like Richard Thomson but he is very careless with the lyrics, losing about 10 percent of the expressiveness of the song. Find Sandy's own version with 12-string, this seems to be the definitive one. The lyrics are a perfect poem and deserve respect.
He Massacres this. I never liked Richard Thompson's guitar playing or singing beyond his decent lead guitars meanderings on Fairport /Nick Drake's albums.