17 December 2008 - Thompson Family Christmas, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Loads of Thompsons - Teddy, Richard, Zak, Linda, Kamila

Rejoice, people, for I bring you tidings of great joy - for this night another (Thompson) star was born - grandson Zak Hobbs. Teddy Thompson mc'd a Thompson Family Christmas get-together at the QEH in aid of Amnesty International, and a very special occasion it was - not least because Richard and Linda Thompson were reunited on stage after, oh, far too long. Joining the family were an eclectic set of friends, from the likes of Bert Jansch and Bob Davenport to Justin Bond and Shlomo. The full set list below is courtesy of the nice people at the Southbank Centre.

Teddy and Kathryn Williams opened the show with a beautiful duet of 'Silent Night', setting the very high standard of the evening to follow. It was a treat to see such respected folk artists as Bert Jansch and Bob Davenport, whose voice got stronger and stronger as he sang, on the same bill as the fab-u-lous Justin Bond and Jenni Muldaur. Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, the Northumbrian lassies, charmed us with 'Tar Barrel in Dale' about the New Year's Eve Baal burning ceremony in Allendale, while Shlomo beat-boxed his way through a couple of Christmas numbers.

On to the Thompsons. Kami gave a very sassy 'Purple Christmas' and oh wow! see Zak go on 'Run, Run Rudolph' - keep an eye out for this one - good on guitar and vocals. Richard's party piece was the specially composed 'Wrong Presents' - a wickedly funny song about a boy who has to hide from his friends at Christmas because his doting mother has bought him girls' presents. Teddy reggaed-up the show with his Christmas single - 'Christmas' - (of course) - out on download to raise funds for Amnesty. The really special moment for me was when Linda sang 'Shay Fanyan' offstage; a choked-up Teddy dragged her to the front of the stage to take a well-deserved bow.

Verdict - warm cosy glows all round. More, please, next year and do bring all your folks again.

Set List

• SILENT NIGHT - Kathryn Williams & Teddy Thompson
• PURPLE SNOWFLAKES - Kami Thompson with BAND, backing vocals - Kami Thompson, Linda Thompson and Zak Thompson
• FAT AS A FIDDLE - Chris Difford with BAND
• BLEAK MID WINTER/ ANGIE - Bert Jansch
• CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE - Ed Harcourt with BAND
• FAREWELL REGALITY - Rahcel Unthank and The Winterset
• WHITE CHRISTMAS - Jenni Muldaur & Teddy with BAND
• CHRISTMAS MEDLEY - Shlomo
• THE WRONG PRESENTS - Richard Thompson solo
• NEW DEPRESSION - Justin Bond with BAND
• ALBERT’S ASHES - Brendan Campbell solo
• RUN RUN RUDOLPH - Zak Hobbs with BAND
• THE HOLY AND THE IVY - Teddy Thompson, Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson and Bob Davenport
• CHRISTMAS - Teddy Thompson with BAND with backing vocals - Kami Thompson, Linda Thompson and Zak Thompson
• SHAY FANYAN - Linda Thompson
• GOOD KING WENCESLAS - Brendan Campbell solo
• BRIGHT MORNING STARS - Kathryn Williams, Neil MacColl and Kate St John/Roger Eno
• LAST CHRISTMAS - Kamila Thompson with BAND
• WHEN THE BALIFFS CAME - Bob Davenport solo
• THE LITTLE BOY THAT SANTA CLAUS FORGOT - Bob Davenport
• HOLY THURSDAY / JERUSLUM - Bob Davenport
• BOYCOTTING CHRISTMAS - Teddy Thompson with BAND
• LET’S NOT FIGHT THIS XMAS - Chris Difford with BAND
• CUTTY WREN - Richard Thompson with BAND
• TAR BARREL IN DALE - Unthanks with BVs
• HAVE YOURSELFA VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS - Justin Bond with BAND
• MOONSHINE - Bert Jansch
• CHRISTMAS WILL BE JUST… - Jenni Muldaur with BAND, backing vocals Kami Thompson, Linda Thompson and Zak Thompson
• BACK DOOR SANTA - Ed Harcourt & Shlomo
• BLUE CHRISTMAS – Thompsons with BANDWINTER WONDERLAND – BAND with all

24 May 2008 - Richard Thompson with Mary Gauthier, Royal Festival Hall

Double Treat - no, make that Triple Treat

It was good to see Mary Gauthier in London again - this time in her classiest UK venue yet, in support of Richard Thompson at the South Bank concert hall. Mary was in fine form as she gave the Thompson audience a "sampler" set from 'I Drink' and 'Camelot Motel' to the most recent 'Last of the Hobo Kings'. After battling courteously with the lack of feedback in the opening number, Mary wrapped us up in her spell of tales from life on the road and the hurt of post-Katrina New Orleans. Her wry tales between songs are a feature of her performances; tonight there was only time for the back-story to 'Hobo Kings' - which raised much laughter. I think Mary won quite a few converts - if the brisk trade around the cd table was anything to go by - and hopefully she'll be back soon.

Richard Thompson put on a masterful solo performance - as ever making light work of sounding like a full band, rather than a lone guitarist. Only a few songs in, he gallantly abandoned his set-list to play requests - 'Cold Kisses', 'Valerie' etc - although he drew the line at 'My Daddy'. 'Dad's Gonna Kill Me' thrilled again, as did 'Vincent' - but 'Bright Lights' is better sung as a duet. And on it went - preaching to the converted. There were no real surprises until the second encore when he introduced his daughter Kamila for a couple of numbers - her voice very reminiscent of her mother's. Rather like the Wainwright/McGarrigles, the talented Thompson clan is clearly another folk/rock dynasty - look them up at a festival near you this summer.