Richard Thompson, Jerry Donahue

[Keith E Rice]

Richard is arguably the most innovative guitarist on the face of the planet. Jerry is arguably the technically most-accomplished.

Yet, from seeing them together on 'Sloth' at Cropredy a couple of times and hearing them on a couple of the anniversary albums, it seems they struggle to play together. Either they're too deferential to each other and one or both don't truly let rip or they overplay and end up  cancelling each other out.

If only they could learn to play together. (No idea how they get on on a personal level.)

Maybe they should learn to play together through touring together - eg: The Richard Thompson Band featuring Jerry Donahue.

If they could only learn to play together, I'm sure they could seriously challenge other renowned 2-guitar combos such as Stills & Young or Duane Alman & Dickey Betts.

If they can stand to be in the same room long enough, they should give it a try. The results might be mind-blowing!

Keith

[Thor-Rune]

Interesting. point. From what I know, Jerry and Richard get along fine. But as you indicate: Their styles of playing are rather different from each other. And those two styles might not always work together. They're both great, of course - but come from different musical angles. I have seen and heard them join forces with delightful results. Like for instance on the "Hanks for the memory" medley. I too would certainly love to hear them together on a joint project of some kind. If they can find a common ground. I'm pretty sure they could easily find one...

[bassline (Mike)]

As you say,If they could learn to play together.... guitar playing styles don't necessarily blend together, and both those guys have so much going on with right and left hand technique,I'm guessing they'd have to not use the style they are known for and simplify what they are doing to allow the other one space,and then they wouldn't be them anymore,so to speak.
Twin guitar playing is a style in itself,which would require a lot of working stuff out in advance for harmony parts,for example.This would preclude any improvisation that they might feel inclined to do.And they certainly do.
Funnily enough,the Keith Richards biog,I'm reading quotes Keef as saying both Brian Jones and Ronnie Wood know/knew how to blend their guitar parts with his to make a solid groove,but Mick Taylor could not.
It could be argued that Mick T was the better Stones guitarist,and that they produced the best music during his stint.Could these things be related?
The Allmans and The Buffalo/CSNY boys,most probably developed together,in the early days of bandhood,Richard and Jerry have become themselves separately over decades,and all they have in common is they were in the same band and different times,and only get together very occasionally,with little rehearsal for a one off event.
However,if they had the time and inclination and could work something out,yes it would be mind blowing,jaw dropping,did I just see that? time.

[Jules Gray]

Interesting thread.  If anyone, with a few broad brush strokes, would care to outline what they see as the core elements of each man's style, then I'd be interested to read it.  I sort of know that they're different players, but I wouldn't know how to describe the differences.

Jules

[Dan O.]

Interesting thread.  If anyone, with a few broad brush strokes, would care to outline what they see as the core elements of each man's style, then I'd be interested to read it.  I sort of know that they're different players, but I wouldn't know how to describe the differences.

Jules

I think the main difference between RT and JD is that RT approaches his guitar style from a songwriter's point of view - his playing always serves the song (usually a song he's written), and over the years he's developed a highly technical facility with which to express himself.
By contrast, JD is not renowned as a singer/songwriter - his approach to the guitar is more that of a sideman/session player as his extensive list of credits shows.
Stylistically, JD's playing has a slightly bigger Country influence than RT's with his Telecaster string bending and mock pedal steel licks. RT shows similar influences but his playing can be more spiky, avant-garde and jazz-influenced. A good RT guitar solo will lift you into the galaxy and beyond, a good JD solo will be spellbinding but firmly grounded, i.e. with RT you can expect the unexpected that you can't with JD.
If any of that doesn't make sense, it's Sunday morning and I'm on my first coffee of the day  

[davidmjs]

I've seen (at the various anniversary Cropredy's) and heard (on said recordings) absolutely no sign of them struggling to play together at all...so I find the whole premise of the original point rather hard to grasp.

[Jules Gray]

I think the main difference between RT and JD is that RT approaches his guitar style from a songwriter's point of view - his playing always serves the song (usually a song he's written), and over the years he's developed a highly technical facility with which to express himself.
By contrast, JD is not renowned as a singer/songwriter - his approach to the guitar is more that of a sideman/session player as his extensive list of credits shows.
Stylistically, JD's playing has a slightly bigger Country influence than RT's with his Telecaster string bending and mock pedal steel licks. RT shows similar influences but his playing can be more spiky, avant-garde and jazz-influenced. A good RT guitar solo will lift you into the galaxy and beyond, a good JD solo will be spellbinding but firmly grounded, i.e. with RT you can expect the unexpected that you can't with JD.
If any of that doesn't make sense, it's Sunday morning and I'm on my first coffee of the day  

Dan, that all makes perfect sense to me.  Nice job!

Jules

[Ollie]

I've seen (at the various anniversary Cropredy's) and heard (on said recordings) absolutely no sign of them struggling to play together at all...so I find the whole premise of the original point rather hard to grasp.

Indeed - in fact, I've got a bootleg of Cropredy 1985 which has a track titled 'Richard and Jerry's duet'. And very good it is too, though maybe more folkie than you'd expect.  

[Nick Reg]

I've seen (at the various anniversary Cropredy's) and heard (on said recordings) absolutely no sign of them struggling to play together at all...so I find the whole premise of the original point rather hard to grasp.

And jamming when we were allowed in the field for the soundchecks

[Jonathan]

I can see both points.  But either way, I think a Thompson/Donahue tour would be great.  With Pegg and DM as the rhythm section.