NOW BE THANKFUL

When the stone is grown too cold to kneel
In crystal waters I'll be bound
Cold as stone, weary to the sounds upon the wheel

Now be thankful for good things below
Now be thankful to your maker
For the rose, the red rose blooms for all to know


"Now Be Thankful" performed by Fairport Convention, 1970


Fairport Convention, motley troubadours and the best of the British folk-rock scene of the 60s, played beautiful and dark Olde English folk music, jigs, and reels. Teenage guitar genius Richard Thompson stands at top right.



The King sits in Dunfirmline town, drinking of the blood-red wine
"Where can I get a steely skipper to sail this mighty boat of mine?"

So begins "Sir Patrick Spens," a popular Child Ballad (#58), probably of Scottish origin, sung for centuries. The King calls for the greatest sailor to run a royal errand--though it's the middle of winter and the sea is treacherous. Sir Patrick is named, and he comes forth, for he cannot refuse his King, though he knows it will mean his death. At sea, a "mermaiden" warns Sir Patrick of his fate.

Forty miles off Aberdeen, the waters fifty fathoms deep
There lies good Sir Patrick Spens with the Scots lords at his feet

Fairport singer Sandy Denny died in 1978

"Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" by Fairport Convention, written and sung by Sandy Denny. Please click button to listen:



No longer the teenage guitar genius from Fairport (and missing the ringlets) guitar virtuoso Richard Thompson still plays and writes the most amazing songs. Here he plays an original ballad,"1952 Vincent Black Lightning." Although the song is about a motorcycle--and a biker and redheaded girl--it clearly reflects traditional English balladry. In olden times, the motorcycle might have been a beloved steed. The love story would remain the same. Listen, and watch the fingers.

TALES OF GLOOM AND DOOM

Like fine port or habanero peppers, Richard Thompson isn't for everyone. The guitar boy genius of seminal British folk group Fairport Convention grew up to slay dragons with wife and vocalist Linda Thompson, and was then in turn slayed by them in a brilliantly dark solo career someone nicknamed "Tales of Gloom and Doom." The nickname stuck.

A guitar player's guitar player, deeply appreciated by a rabid few, Thompson has never enjoyed the notoriety of many less talented musicians. These clips are from a BBC documentary covering his career -- the first clip is near the beginning, covering the early days, and the second clip is playing with Fairport, and the last clip skips to the end of the doc, and covers the solo days, after the divorce, since the Londoner moved to sunny Southern California. Don't worry. Palm trees and sunny vistas didn't ruin his dark vision.



Young Richard, with Fairport Convention in 1970

If you haven't heard him before, this will be a treat. Click to hear Richard and Linda sing "When I Get to the Border."

WINGS FOR WHEELS

The Vincent Black Lightning was the world's fastest motorcycle. Only thirty were ever built, between 1949 and 1952.

Vincent, a British manufacturer, built the bikes for speed, stripping off unessentials and using lightweight alloy rims and racing tires, magnesium alloy brake backing plates, and aluminum fenders. With a 70hp engine, the Lightning remained the world's fastest bike twenty years after the last one was built.















This is 1949. Racing a Vincent Black Lightning at the Bonneville Salt Flats wearing full leathers, Rollie Free could only get up to 147 mph. At that point his leathers flapped so violently they tore. Free thought for a moment, then stripped down to helmet, shoes, and a Speedo bathing suit, and was clocked at 150.313 mph!

The Vincent Black Lightning -- A rare gem, a beautiful machine, the holy grail of high performance motorcycles, and something special to put on your Christmas list.

Guitar hero Richard Thompson, formerly of Fairport Convention, wrote this love song about James, Red Molly, and a 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.