Main content

Richard Thompson (A-Side)

Episode 5 of 10

Richard Thompson talks to John Wilson about his critically acclaimed 1991 album 'Rumor and Sigh'. From June 2013.

Richard Thompson talks about his critically acclaimed 1991 album 'Rumor and Sigh'.

Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.

In this one (The A-side), Richard talks to John Wilson.

Named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the Top 20 Guitarists of all time, Richard looks back at the making of what is not just his most commercially successful album, but also one of the high points of his career. It was album that earned him a Grammy Nomination for the Best Alternative Music Album (he lost out R.E.M.) and it captures Thompson's obsession with romantic despair and the more miserable quirks of fate.

And yet, like all good tragedy, it does not sound depressing - it is instead life affirming.

Richard has said that the albums he considered "successful" were those where his initial concept most closely matched the finished product. By this yardstick, 'Rumor And Sigh' was one of his most successful albums, containing such tracks as "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", "God Loves A Drunk" and "Why Must I Plead".

The B-side of the programme is where it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions.

Producer: Paul Kobrak

First broadcast on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Radio 4 in June 2013.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 22 May 2023 21:00

Broadcasts

  • Mon 10 Jun 2013 23:00
  • Fri 22 Jun 2018 18:30
  • Sat 23 Jun 2018 00:30
  • Wed 1 Sep 2021 23:30
  • Mon 22 May 2023 21:00

Eight things we learned from Lily Allen’s Mastertapes

We hear about the breakdown of her marriage, substance abuse… and socks

10 things we learned from Randy Newman’s Mastertapes

The legendary songwriter's interview with John Wilson is fascinating and very funny.

Mastertapes special: Paul McCartney

Mastertapes special: Paul McCartney

Watch a filmed version of Paul McCartney speaking to John Wilson about his career.

Live performances

Watch and listen to exclusive live performances from the Mastertapes recordings.

Radio 4 on Music

Re-releasing music documentaries from the Radio 4 Archive.

Podcast