Bob Mould's Debt to RT

[samnitzberg (Sam)]

This was just pointed out to me, thought I'd pass it along...
http://somethingelsereviews.com/2012/09/09/it-was-sort-of-embarrassing-bob-mould-discusses-his-musical-debt-to-richard-thompson/

[davidmjs]

Workbook is an outstandingly wondrous album.  I'm not sure I hear much Thomo in much else of his (excellent) work, but that might be my funny ears....maybe on some of the less thrashy Mould songs from Candle Apple and Warehouse perhaps?

[Mr Cat (Lewis)]

He did a great version of "Shoot out the Lights"..

[Dan O.]

Bob's excellent version of RT's Turning Of The Tide (the best track by far on the very so-so RT tribute album Beat The Retreat) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMx0QRBClQQ

[davidmjs]

They're both great, but pretty straight, covers.

Here's SOTL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ryoqx3l9uk

[Dan O.]

Mmm...parallels between Bob Mould and Richard Thompson (strictly IMHO) :  

1.Both are unique and special guitarist/singer/songwriters who aren't afraid of addressing dark subject matter in their songs.

2.Both started their careers in bands with a cult following.

3.Both are revered by guitar players in-the-know and would make any respectable Top 100 Best Guitarist In The World list.

4.Both are adept at playing solo or with bands.

5.Both are capable of selling out concert venues to their devoted following but could easily walk down the street and not be recognised by the general public (i.e. neither of them are "celebrities")

6.Both are admired by the music industry at large.

7.It could be said that both are leading figureheads for two of the late 20th Century's musical movements (Folk-Rock and Hardcore/Grunge)

8.Both continue to make critically-acclaimed albums.

9.Both play Fender Strats.

10.Erm...I've met both of them...

11.These parallels may become more tenuous...if I think of any more, I'll add them to this list  

(btw, if anyone else can add to this list, feel free !)

[samnitzberg (Sam)]

Bob's excellent version of RT's Turning Of The Tide (the best track by far on the very so-so RT tribute album Beat The Retreat) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMx0QRBClQQ

So-so? I love that album!

[Mr Cat (Lewis)]

What Dan O said.  In addition I think the fact Mould states he owes a debt to RT doesn't mean that he is slavishly copying RT or working within the same areas of music (although some of RT's work with FFK & T or the Paliminos for example is not a million miles away from what Mould has produced).  My read is that he was opened up to new ways of playing the guitar and writing from exposure to RT.