Comments on: Danny Thompson (1939-2025)

Danny Thompson (1939-2025)

43rdAnd9th — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 02:41:38 -0800

Danny Thompson, legendary British double-bass player, died on September 23rd aged 86. He first came to my attention playing with Pentangle in the late 1960s.

His instantly recognizable sound could be found on many recordings, in particular those of John Martyn, Richard Thompson and (a personal favorite) Ralph McTell. He was also a regular on the Transatlantic Sessions (which you should run and find, if you don't know them).

By: whatevernot

whatevernot — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 02:56:48 -0800

By: HearHere

HearHere — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 03:33:47 -0800

By: Grangousier

Grangousier — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 04:49:23 -0800

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.

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 04:50:59 -0800

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.

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 05:09:23 -0800

Interesting bit of talk about his early career.

By: Token Meme

Token Meme — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 06:10:54 -0800

By: SystematicAbuse

SystematicAbuse — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 06:42:48 -0800

By: ivanthenotsoterrible

ivanthenotsoterrible — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:10:27 -0800

By: scruss

scruss — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 08:19:00 -0800

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.

By: stanf

stanf — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 09:10:49 -0800

By: gingerbeer

gingerbeer — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 09:36:41 -0800

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

By: misteraitch

misteraitch — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 11:10:19 -0800

By: the sobsister

the sobsister — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 14:20:22 -0800

I first heard him on Pentangle records. He was both out front and in strong support. Great player. .

By: Dean358

Dean358 — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:04:24 -0800

By: hap_hazard

hap_hazard — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:32:54 -0800

By: Liquidwolf

Liquidwolf — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 17:26:05 -0800

RIP good sir.

By: pt68

pt68 — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 21:14:04 -0800

By: brushtailedphascogale

brushtailedphascogale — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 08:18:17 -0800

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 – 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.

By: Lynsey

Lynsey — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:04:35 -0800