23 July 2009

Richard / Teddy Thompson, Larmer Tree 2009, Sixpenny Handley

Like father like son (Part 3 of 3)

The main stage at the Larmer Tree is my kind of setting, set out on the grass and you can get close and enjoy the music instead of being a remote dot on the horizone somewhere.

Richard Thompson was on form, blistering guitar work as ever, classic songs and when he was joined by his son Teddy they closed the set with a belter called Persuasion.

Soon as Dad and son finished I made it back to the Arc tent I was intrigued to hear Teddy Thompson again. I think it was John who said “he’s got the voice of his mum and guitar style of his Dad, not his Dad’s voice, Richard T’s voice is an acquired taste but he’s a helluva songwriter.

Teddy Thompson in the ARC tent had a beautiful voice, engaging songs, maybe a bit more road dirt on ‘em will give them that edge but I loved the set sat here out of the rain.

At the end of the set while alot of the Islanders were making for the last boat home or bed and breakfast I went from coffee bar to coffee bar hoping to find something going on and I ended up wandering in the downright spooky woods lit up with dayglo spider's webs.

In a clearing like coming upon Rumpelstilkins abode I found a small open tent with a stage in it and an advert that said Jackie Leven had played there at eight that night. Darn spoilt for choice!

A storyteller called somebody Pigg from Dartmoor came out of nowhere and said he was about to read late night stories suitable for an adult audience.

A small crowd gathered and we

sat there wide eyed and listening to dark stories with twists in the tales.

There was just something so comforting sat here in a glade of the lost woods listening to stories as the night turned towards midnight.

I rememinded myself to come for longer next year . . .

Mike