RIP, Danny Thompson

[sgcim]

The great British acoustic bass player has passed at 86. He played with many of my fave folk/jazz artists like Pentangle (that was his great solo arco introduction to "Reflection"), and Nick Drake (that was him playing bass on "River Man" (even though he had trouble reading 5/4 with the orchestra, he said, "Bollocks, I'll make up my own part!") .

He also played with artists as diverse as Tubby Hayes, Kate Bush, John Martyn and Richard Thompson and many others.

[mikeweil]

R.I.P. 

He had such a big sound, I think the best of all British bass players.

I think hearing him on the Pentangle albums may have been my first exposure to double bass, it definitely started my love for that sound.

[clifford_thornton]

Oh no! RIP. A master.

[HutchFan]

R.I.P.

I was fortunate enough to see him several times with Richard Thompson.

 

[romualdo]

RIP Danny - versatile & wonderful bassist

saw him play with Richard Thompson here in Brisbane, late 90s?

Have been enjoying the recent Nick Drake 5LP "Making of 5 Leaves Left" set - quite a bit of unreleased Danny here (10 previously unreleased takes)

[felser]

RIP, also saw him live with RT in the 90's, at rhe Tower Theater in Philly. Great bassist and wonderful presence.

[mjzee]

He was great on this:

 

[sgcim]

 

[clifford_thornton]

Yes indeed. Love this one, too:

 

[mikeweil]

Pentangle was such a unique band. Superior musicianship.

[BFrank]

Pretty sure I saw him once or twice with Richard Thompson. He had a VERY distinctive sound. Always enjoyed his presence on an album.

Pentangle WAS a unique band. Pentangle 2.0 (they didn't call themselves "2.0") was really good, too. They released about 6 albums in the 80s-90s. A little bit electric, but not in a bad way. And not intrusive.