TUNNNG

Few guitarists are loved as equally for their acoustic work as their electric playing but such is the unique talent of Richard Thompson. We meet him to find out how he's preparing to go head-to-head with Tommy Emmanuel, chat about the end of his touring days, and talk alternative tunings

- Andrew Daly

Dating back to his years with Fairport Convention and continuing through his solo career - which has included dozens of albums, memorable songs and notable collaborations - Richard Thompson has made a habit of upending the norms when it comes to folk music.

His use of altered tunings and a myriad of interesting arrangements has made him stand out as both a songwriter and a guitarist, since breaking onto the scene with his brooding, brilliant guitar playing with Fairport Convention in the 60s.

To most, his prolific body of work in the decades that followed has been pretty damn innovative, but to Richard Thompson, not so much. “I suppose all these ideas are ideas that classical players have been using for hundreds of years,” he tells Guitarist. When prodded that most folk players aren’t quite as adventurous as he tends to be, Thompson acquiesces, if only a little, admitting: “In the realm of folk music, perhaps we're still exploring some of these ideas.”

Ear-catching tunings aside, Thompson's back catalogue is staggering. Boasting albums like 1972's Henry The Human Fly, 1974's I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight with then-wife Linda Thompson, and Shoot Out The Lights from 1982, to name but a few, you'll find that not only is Thompson an ace in the hole when it comes to songwriting, but he's a crack shot with a six-string - either acoustic or electric - slung over his shoulder. As for what he looks for in a guitar, Thompson keeps things simple yet visceral, explaining: “I think if a guitar gives you one sound, one really great tone, that’s the kind of place that you want to start.”

Thompson doesn’t tour much any more, instead picking his spots and doing select shows, such as the one he’s planned with acoustic master Tommy Emmanuel at Carnegie Hall in October. Elsewhere, he’s sitting on a cache of songs he penned while off the road during the Covid pandemic.