[ctviggen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxKTzwaEa2o

He's been playing for over 40 years and has some ridiculous number of albums.  I had to find out about him through this article:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/07/richard.thompson/index.html

The song at that youtube link made me confident enough to buy 5 CDs (one the 4 volume set at the CNN link) and one DVD. 

He's truly outstanding and I can't believe I haven't heard of him before this.

[AB]

"Red hair and black leather, my favorite colour scheme."

Richard Thompson is beyond words cool.

[jqp]

I am familiar with this Del McCoury Band version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW-w0KgE-8s

Its great to see the Scottish origins of this tune about a British bike - and fingerstyle no less!

[FullRangeMan]

Brazilian say:  Better late than never!
Richard Thompson and Fairport Convention are a very special kind of Progressive Rock.
Here they have few fans, but very fanatics.   

[bunnyma357]

I'd suggest "Shoot Out The Lights" by Richard and Linda Thompson, recorded as they split as a couple - a really great album. Also if you own or rent the movie "Grizzly Man", I believe the documentary "In the Edges" about the recording of the soundtrack with Richard Thompson is included as a bonus feature - it also shows up separate on cable from time to time.

I knew of him, but really didn't start getting into his stuff until recently.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B000000612/ref=pd_krex_dp_a

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5E94F4ECFF0B8CA7&search_query=thompson+grizzly


Jim C

[Alan]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time/print

Some would say he deserves better than #19. I like the old Fairport stuff with Sandy Denny.

[lonewolfny42]

He's truly outstanding and I can't believe I haven't heard of him before this.

Isn't it a great feeling finding an artist that you never heard of before....and that their music is "right on the mark". Richard Thompson is a survivor.....and all of his albums have something for everyone.

There are more out there....keep searching.

[Philistine]

You might want to try this, more recent work also:

http://www.amazon.com/Old-Kit-Bag-Richard-Thompson/dp/B00008XRXX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255660823&sr=8-1

Also check out John Martyn (RIP), he shared the same bassist as RT:

http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Little-Mysteries-Island-Anthology/dp/B000001E4I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255660934&sr=1-2

[ctouhey]

Catch him live if you can.  I saw him solo at the Muck Duck in Houston, TX and with the band at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA.  Both different but great shows!