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Beeswing

Fairport, Folk Rock and Finding My Voice, 1967–75

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About this listen

***READ BY THE AUTHOR***

THE TOP FIVE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A BOOK OF THE YEAR
ROUGH TRADE,
THE TIMES, ROLLING STONE, CLASH, MOJO, UNCUT

The memoir of international music icon Richard Thompson, co-founder of the legendary folk rock group Fairport Convention.

'I encourage everyone to read this wonderful book.'
ELVIS COSTELLO

'Thompson could be said to be an English Dylan - only in some ways he's even better than that.'
GUARDIAN

Richard Thompson came of age during an extraordinary moment in 1960s Britain - as music began to reflect a great cultural awakening, the guitarist and songwriter co-founded Fairport Convention, ushering in the era of folk rock. An intimate memoir of personal discovery and creative intensity, Beeswing vividly captures the life of an international music icon in a world on the cusp of change

'Gripping . . . A quiet joy of a memoir.'
GUARDIAN

'Thompson writes exceptionally well . . . If you love music in all its myriad forms, you'll love this book.'
NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS

'An intimate, revealing tome, Beeswing is the voice of a figure at the heart of the British counter-culture.'
CLASH

'Perceptive, lyrical, amiable and seemingly effortless . . . required reading.'
CAUGHT BY THE RIVER

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Richard Thompson (P)2021 Faber & Faber
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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)

All stars
Most relevant
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.

Gentle and wonderful

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A long term fan of Richard I found this as relaxing as listening to his incredible music. Calming, informative and simply divine.

Awesome just like Richard

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Wonderful insight into RTs musical journey. I came to it through my obsession with the works of Sandy Denny and am delighted to find this gem exists. Actually read by Richard himself.
Even if, for some reason, you are not into these artists it gives a fascinating take on the music scene in the late sixties early seventies and beyond.

Enlightening

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RT speak like a wise old friend, and paints a colourful picture of his route through Fairport convention, session musician, as a Duo with wife Linda. There is humour & honestly from this spiritual minstrel. Play on Richard. The dream section at the end is a treat.

A enjoyable journey into the creative mind of Richard Thompson

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A fascinating listen, revealing many facts I was blissfully unaware of about some of his songs.
The only slight downside is RT’s slightly droney narration. In real life his eyes genuinely sparkle - if only the producer could have bottled this for the voice sessions!

A fascinating listen featuring one of folk-rock’s greatest!

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