Publishers Weekly
02/22/2021
English songwriter and musician Thompson delivers a warts-and-all account of a crucial eight-year period of his life following his cofounding of the folk rock band Fairport Convention in 1967. Thompson breezes through his childhood in West London, where he was first introduced to “music that was not controlled by the grown-ups” by his older sister. By the time he was 18, he was uninterested in anything besides playing the guitar. He harnessed that passion into Fairport Convention, a band he formed with three friends. The band’s ups and downs, which included the death of drummer Martin Lamble in a road accident and decisions about replacing members, vividly detail the challenges of maintaining a joint creative enterprise. Along the way, Thompson convincingly argues Fairport Convention left a legacy by electrifying traditional English folk songs, and delineates the artistic impulses behind his decision to quit Fairport Convention to perform with his wife, Linda. Thompson extensively quotes his lyrics and isn’t shy about digging into his creative process, but even so, those less familiar with his music will have a bit of a tough time getting into the swing of things. But readers who regard Thompson as a major figure in the arts will consider this a must-read. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Beeswing is wry, un-ponderous, anti-obligatory. Because the sound Thompson created with Fairport was rooted in centuries-old songs, he isn’t captive to ’60s clichés; and because British electric folk is off the classic-rock grid . . . The book’s period accent makes it feel fresh and exploratory.” —The New York Times Book Review “Mr. Thompson is a master showman. The balancing act of major and minor, strung together by his witty, self-deprecating banter, is the crux of Mr. Thompson’s shows, and that same equipoise between dirge and ditty is the hallmark of Beeswing: It’s everything you’d hope a Richard Thompson autobiography would be . . . It’s both major and minor, dirge and ditty, light on its feet but packing a punch: like the very best Richard Thompson show.”—Wesley Stace, The Wall Street Journal “In an appealing memoir, the renowned British folk rocker recounts the frenetic pace and gritty fun of his many decades as a touring musician.” —People magazine “Richard Thompson is one of the world’s great guitarists and songwriters and, with Beeswing, Richard adds master memoirist to his long list of artistic accomplishments. Beeswing is a fascinating look at his formative years in the vibrant, vital London music scene of the 1960s.” —Bob Mould, musician and songwriter “With pure alchemy, Richard Thompson created his own iconic guitar style, electrifying and reimagining Celtic music and going on to write some of the most passionate, intelligent and heartbreaking songs I know.” —Bonnie Raitt “I admire Richard Thompson so much, and I found Beeswing as inspiring as his music. I devoured and savored it.” —Steve Gunn, musician and songwriter “A beloved musician’s memoir is cause for celebration . . . The prose is smart and smartly moving . . . [Beeswing] documents a beloved band’s prime existence.”—RJ Smith, Los Angeles Times “An absorbing, witty, often deliciously biting read.” —Los Angeles Times Review of Books “[Thompson] is never less than razor-sharp, and credit is due for including both the highs and lows . . . [His] spell is never broken, and, as on disc, his is a welcome voice to meet on the page. Readers will be eager for the next volume of the story. Like a great Richard Thompson solo, this title contains surprise, beauty, delight, and a voice like no other. His autobiography is as welcome as it is long overdue.” —Library Journal, starred review “Thompson has a reputation as a guitarists’ guitarist and a top-notch singer-songwriter . . . With Beeswing, Thompson proves himself equally adept as a memoirist . . . Just as he has a knack for lyrics, Thompson has a way with words on the page, offering colorful portraits of his contemporaries and collaborators . . . Thompson’s humor and insight also shine. He evocatively recreates a time and place, and, like his shows, his memoir leaves you wanting more.” —Booklist, starred review “More than a typical celebrity memoir, Beeswing is thoughtful, well written and at times very funny. With his sophisticated songs and distinctive guitar work, Thompson, 72, has long been the thinking person's musician. Turns out he's also the thinking person's memoirist.” —Laurie Hertzel, Minneapolis Star-Tribune “[Thompson] offers plenty of insight into the early days of Fairport Convention and its ever-changing lineup along with charming anecdotes.” —Kirkus Reviews “Readers who regard Thompson as a major figure in the arts will consider this a must-read.” —Publishers Weekly “Thompson is extraordinarily special: a singer-songwriter of rare bite and insight; an emphatic moderniser of ancient traditions; a guitarist with few equals.” —Mojo “Intimate, honest . . . For Fairport Convention fans, this book offers a teasure trove of information.” —The Wire “A beautiful, funny, fascinating book, covering a transformative time in Thompson’s life, as he puts together Fairport Convention and a new approach to English folk music." —Ed Park, author of Personal Days “Warm and witty.” —Steven Hyden, Uproxx.com “Thompson writes exceptionally well, in a droll, very British way…If you love music in all its myriad forms, you’ll love this book.” —New York Journal of Books “Unpretentious, particular and entirely lovely.”—Shelf Awareness “Essential and delightful.”—Kip Berman, The Talkhouse
Library Journal
★ 03/01/2021
Singer-songwriter-guitarist extraordinaire Thompson has been performing and recording music of great proficiency and depth for more than 50 years: as a founding member of the legendary and genre-creating folk rock group Fairport Convention; as a duo with his then-wife Linda; and as a solo artist, with stunning results. Like his songs, his memoir is character-focused, emotionally resonant, introspective, and written with a master's sympathy, depth, and touch. An innovative songwriter and a talented and congenial sideman, Thompson has had ample opportunity to play with a range of musicians, many of whom have achieved acclaimed status, and fascinating tales abound here. As a storyteller, Thompson describes moments of emotional withdrawal and occasional self-criticism—understandably, given that he's had his share of hardship and tragedy. He is never less than razor-sharp, and credit is due for including both the highs and lows. VERDICT Thompson's spell is never broken, and, as on disc, his is a welcome voice to meet on the page. Readers will be eager for the next volume of the story. Like a great Richard Thompson solo, this title contains surprise, beauty, delight, and a voice like no other. His autobiography is as welcome as it is long overdue.—Bill Baars, formerly with Lake Oswego P.L., OR
Kirkus Reviews
2021-02-02
Memories from the early, fruitful era in the acclaimed musician’s career.
In his detailed memoir, British singer/songwriter and guitarist Thompson recounts his unexpected rise from rebellious teen to influential rocker with Fairport Convention; the duo he formed with his ex-wife, Linda Thompson; and as a solo artist. For anyone who has heard Thompson classics like “Walking on a Wire” or “I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight,” it’s no surprise that he knows how to tell a story and turn a phrase. He offers plenty of insight into the early days of Fairport Convention and its ever changing lineup along with charming anecdotes about getting stopped by German customs agents for carrying laundry soap in his bag or how his family name went from Thomson to Thompson due to a printing error on a brass nameplate his great-grandfather bought for his front door. What about the author’s songwriting inspiration? “Parents, partners and friends rarely understand that staring blankly out of the window is an important part of the creative process, and only occasionally an excuse for doing nothing.” As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that there are subjects he is happy to discuss—his quest for religious fulfillment or his career as a session musician—and those he is not, including his courting and breakup with Linda or his family life. The holes may not have been as noticeable if the text didn’t move chronologically, using albums and tours to move the narrative forward rather than the major events of his life. That combination leads to awkward placeholders like, “Linda had gone through a fairly routine pregnancy and had given birth to our daughter Muna a few months earlier,” that could have been emotional centerpieces.
Fans of Thompson’s music will enjoy the stories behind his career, but those new to his cool style may find it a little cold.
