Ok, I've now seen Zara with RT a number of times and I'm going to don my flak jacket, emphasising that I have no desire to fall out with anyone over this.
I have nothing whatsoever personal against her, she's a beautiful and charming woman who makes RT very happy, he's happy to have her on stage with him, she's a talent in her own right as an author, playwright and singer.
But...despite her not wishing to be compared to other singers, when put up against Sandy Denny, Linda Thompson, Christine Collister, Judith Owen, Chris While, Vikki Clayton and other truly great female voices who have sung with RT, she's very, how shall I put this, "ordinary, nothing special".
Her harmony vocals aren't up to the same standard as those mentioned. I am a musician who sings occasional harmony vocals, so I'm qualified to have an opinion on one of my favourite artists.
If RT had an inferior drummer or bassist on stage with him (he wouldn't, obviously), then I'd also be making comment that they weren't as good as so and so. As it is, I felt the last couple of electric RT gigs I saw had a massive Pete Zorn-sized hole due to said wonderful multi-instrumentalist's sad loss 10 years ago.
And does she really deserve equal billing with him on concert promotion - i.e. "Richard Thompson + Zara Phillips" on promo materials as if people are coming to see her equally ?
Again, I'm going to state that this is just an opinion, other opinions are available. Looking forward to the next time I see RT play.
Interesting! I've got to be say I've not really been paying attention. Is she on record with him, or is it all just live stuff?
Zara sings backup on RT's last album Ship To Shore.
