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.

[felser]

7 hours ago, BFrank said:

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.

Agreed.  the three Pentangle box sets on Cherry Red are highly recommended purchases, superseding all other Pentangle releases:

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/pentangle-the-albums-19681972-7cd-boxset

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/pentangle-through-the-ages-19841995-6cd-clamshell-box-set

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/pentangle-reunions-live-amp-bbc-sessions-19822011-4cd-clamshell-box

[clifford_thornton]

I never really spent time with later Pentangle, but have and adore all the Transatlantic/Reprise albums.

[felser]

26 minutes ago, clifford_thornton said:

I never really spent time with later Pentangle, but have and adore all the Transatlantic/Reprise albums.

The later albums are surprisingly good.

[mikeweil]

I saw the reunion band live, unfortunately after Danny Thompson split. McShee was great, but the rhythm section was disappointing. What set Pentangle apart was the jazz sensibility of their rhythm. No other band band like that. 

Later on I saw McShee and Renbourn as a duo, a friend had taken me to an obscure folk club down the Rhine. Wev had a glass of wine or beer after the gig, very nice people. 

[felser]

I never got to see Pentangle live, but did see Bert Jansch at the Main Point in Bryn Mawr in, I believe the late 70's . He was sort of quirky onstage but musically excellent.  

[BFrank]

13 hours ago, felser said:

Agreed.  the three Pentangle box sets on Cherry Red are highly recommended purchases, superseding all other Pentangle releases:

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/pentangle-the-albums-19681972-7cd-boxset

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/pentangle-through-the-ages-19841995-6cd-clamshell-box-set

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/pentangle-reunions-live-amp-bbc-sessions-19822011-4cd-clamshell-box

 

I don't have the 7 disk box of original Pentangle albums, but I have the other 2. Through the Ages is great! The BBC box was a little disappointing in that some of the recordings aren't very good, but I'm glad I have it anyway.

11 hours ago, mikeweil said:

I saw the reunion band live, unfortunately after Danny Thompson split. McShee was great, but the rhythm section was disappointing. What set Pentangle apart was the jazz sensibility of their rhythm. No other band band like that. 

Later on I saw McShee and Renbourn as a duo, a friend had taken me to an obscure folk club down the Rhine. Wev had a glass of wine or beer after the gig, very nice people. 

All the original members are on Open the Door, except for Renbourn. Danny left after that.

[mikeweil]

7 hours ago, BFrank said:

All the original members are on Open the Door, except for Renbourn. Danny left after that.

I bought that album as soon as it was out. Saw them live when the second or third was out, neither Thompson nor Terry Cox. The jazzy groove was missing.