Saw Richard Thompson last month, sometime before his new album was released. He was

[retread]

just touring with himself and no band. When he walked out on stage and picked up his acoustic guitar, my first thought was "I don't remember him being so small." In that setting anyone would be dwarfed by the surroundings. And then he played! It was astonishing how one man and a single acoustic guitar could fill that huge auditorium with sound. What an amazing artist.
With rare exceptions, most artists have peaked at 30 or so and their best works are in their past. Not so with Richard Thompson.

From his new album- Electric

[Mike Daniels]

1. Thompson is one of my favorite artists

Used to catch him every time he came through DC / Alexandria (seemed like he'd swing through every year as a solo acoustic act if he didn't have an album out).

That said, I've missed him when he toured behind his last two albums and I'll miss him this time as well. Nuts...

[retread]

2. I haven't seen him live since the Fairport Convention days. I have followed him through his albums,

but seeing him recently reminded me of how much better a live performance can be.
I like his latest recorded work, but he doesn't just parrot the recorded work. The live guitar playing was just stunning.