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Beeswing
- Fairport, Folk Rock and Finding My Voice, 1967–75
- Narrated by: Richard Thompson
- Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
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Beeswing
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Summary
The memoir of international music icon Richard Thompson, co-founder of the legendary folk rock group Fairport Convention.
Guitarist and Songwriter Richard Thompson came of age during an extraordinary moment in British culture: it was 1967 and popular music was reflecting a great cultural awakening. In the midst of this, 18-year-old Thompson co-founded Fairport Convention and helped invent a new genre of music.
Thompson packed more than a lifetime of experiences into his late teens and 20s. From the pivotal years of 1967 to 1975, he matured into a major musician, survived a devastating car crash and departed Fairport Convention for a duo act with his wife, Linda, at the height of the band's popularity. His discovery and ultimate embrace of Sufism profoundly reshaped his approach to everything in his life and, of course, the music he wrote thereafter.
In Beeswing, Thompson goes back to his childhood, recreates the spirit of the '60s and takes us inside life on the road in the UK and the US, crossing paths - and occasionally sharing the stage - with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, Jimi Hendrix and more.
An intimate memoir of musical discovery, personal history and social revelation, Beeswing - like Patti Smith's Just Kids or Marianne Faithfull's Faithfull - vividly captures the life of one of Britain's most significant artists during a heady period of creative intensity, in a world on the cusp of change.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Critic reviews
W"Thompson could be said to be an English Dylan - only in some ways he's even better than that." (Guardian)
"This quiet joy of a memoir is just what you'd expect from one of the finest British musicians of the last 50 years." (Richard Williams)
What listeners say about Beeswing
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- R. W. D. Pannell
- 19-09-23
Sublime
I’ve been with Richard all the way!
One of the best audio books I’ve listened to, beautifully crafted and read, as you’d expect from a man of his talents and attention to detail.
It’s a great puzzle why he is not universally recognised as our best songwriter, tunesmith, guitarist and all round performer.
Given my admiration for the man this book is no surprise.
Thank you Richard for being a part of my life!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 23-06-21
A rare thing...
Having been a fan of Richard Thomson since I heard the first Fairport Album as a schoolgirl, I was very much looking forward to getting my hands on this memoir.
I chose to listen to Richard’s own narration of the book before I read the text. I love to hear the writer read their own words and I’ve always loved the t
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Frank Blank
- 02-06-21
An amazing musician
The books opening chapters about growing up and so well written and being on the road but it's kind of knocked off balance by the last chapter, Dreams which seems like just rambling gibberish and far too long. Left me feeling that if this was edited more the book would hold together better. Still worth a listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-02-22
Awesome just like Richard
A long term fan of Richard I found this as relaxing as listening to his incredible music. Calming, informative and simply divine.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- christine
- 20-05-21
Gentle and wonderful
This memoir covers the early years of Richard Thompson's life and career. It is full of quiet admiration for other musicians, from the obscure to the famous, and gives the reader a good understanding of how he came to be such a force in the emergence of a new and distinctive kind of folk music. He is generous to the many others he has collaborated with, and gives insightful descriptions of the processes by which he comes to write such quirky and original compositions. Anyone who has had the good fortune to see him onstage and then reads this memoir will recognise that what you see of him playing and singing is probably exactly what he is offstage - seemingly penny plain but in fact mesmerising. Thanks Mr. Thompson.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-07-21
Amazing!
One of the most interesting and inspiring books I've read, written by one of my favourite musicians!
An awesome insight into the mindset of his innovative attitude towards songwriting and guitar playing!
Thanks so much! As a musician I am most inspired!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- N. Walsh
- 17-09-23
Hugely enjoyable
A lovely book from a lovely man who has given us so much great music over the years. Essential for lovers of Richard's music and a great story in itself.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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- Tony LF
- 09-04-22
Can't buy
Not allowed to buy based on geographic restrictions. I've had this message a couple of times recently. What is going on?
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