Richard Thompson’s Meltdown
London South Bank
10th June, 2010

View: all over the place

As you’d expect from the mighty Thompson, the Meltdown he curated was both intelligent and wide-ranging. The black-bereted Thompson was a regular fixture, whether hosting his own 1000 Years Of Popular Music or jamming with carefully chosen guests – although, sadly, he didn’t take to the stage to sing “one song to the tune of another” at his special command performance of I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, though there was a bend of the knee to Rob Brydon’s awesome Delilah! With dozens of concerts over a fortnight, highlights included A Celebration Of Kate McGarrigle, featuring a blissful reunion of Richard & Linda, and Emmylou Harris’ emotionally draining take on Talk To Me Of Mendicino; the powerhouse piano of Van Dyke Parks, switching effortlessly from Chopin to New Orleans barrelhouse; the purity of Emily Smith’s singing; The Cowboy Junkies-meets-The Velvet Underground gospel of Ollabelle; the instrumental variety of Clare & The Reasons; and finally, the storming solo performance of Elvis Costello that effectively closed the event. Throughout the season, the shadowy presence of Thompson was never far away, whether taking a leisurely stroll through the history of pop, from Chaucerian rock’n’roll to Britney Spears, or a spirited canter with Loudon Wainwright on Dylan’s You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere. Hard to believe that Richard was first on stage here with Fairport over 40 years ago; and all those decades later, he’s still pumping it up, not least with Elvis on a rousing What’s So Funny ’Bout Peace Love And Understanding. Outstanding.

Reviewed by Patrick Humphries
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