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posted by whatevernot at 2:56 AM on September 27

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posted by HearHere at 3:33 AM on September 27

I first noticed him on Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left (for example, Three Hours) and then on David Sylvian's Secrets of the Beehive (for example, Orpheus).

Simultaneously supportive of the song, but full of expansive personality, rhythmically and musically playful and free, but rock solid in providing the harmonic foundations - it really couldn't be anyone else, but he never distracts you from the singer he's accompanying, whether that's someone as full-on as Martyn or diffident as Drake. I've always thought of him as a prime example of how a bass player (certainly in a stripped-down combo) should do it.
posted by Grangousier at 4:49 AM on September 27 [7 favorites]

Oh man, that¡¯s heartbreaking. I first became aware of him on Thompson¡¯s Mirror Blue, which I immediately bought after hearing Beeswing, but it was Danny Thompson¡¯s part on Easy There, Steady Now that really made me do that ¡°dog turning its head at the gramophone¡± thing, in wonderment. He wasn¡¯t t just a very skilled player- he also wrote complex and complimentary parts that really held the songs up. I hope he lived a happy life - I just watched a couple of those videos, and he seemed really deep into the vibe- I hope it brought him the joy that it has brought me & his other fans.
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:50 AM on September 27 [2 favorites]

Interesting bit of talk about his early career.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:09 AM on September 27

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posted by Token Meme at 6:10 AM on September 27

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posted by SystematicAbuse at 6:42 AM on September 27

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posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 7:10 AM on September 27

Incredible career, inimitable sound. One of the last of the skiffle boys, and remarkable that he's played the same bass since he was a teenager.
posted by scruss at 8:19 AM on September 27 [1 favorite]

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posted by stanf at 9:10 AM on September 27

I saw him play with Richard T (no relation) a bunch of times. Brilliant musician and the 2 of them made a good match.

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posted by gingerbeer at 9:36 AM on September 27 [2 favorites]

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posted by misteraitch at 11:10 AM on September 27

I first heard him on Pentangle records. He was both out front and in strong support. Great player.
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posted by the sobsister at 2:20 PM on September 27

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posted by Dean358 at 4:04 PM on September 27

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posted by hap_hazard at 4:32 PM on September 27

RIP good sir.
posted by Liquidwolf at 5:26 PM on September 27

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posted by pt68 at 9:14 PM on September 27

Kate Bush posted this tribute:

'You never just worked with Danny. You also worked with his double bass he called Victoria. The two of them were joined at the hip and together they were the most fascinating storytellers ¨C earthy and of the wild.

Danny was the sweetest, dearest man and a real character. A rare and special treasure.

I remember seeing him play live many times with the brilliant John Martyn and I never dreamed that I would get to work with such an incredible talent.

Thank you Danny for setting the work on fire with Victoria. I¡¯m going to miss you so much!

Kate.'

More about their work together, here.
posted by brushtailedphascogale at 8:18 AM on September 28 [1 favorite]

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posted by Lynsey at 9:04 AM on September 30

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