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.

Indeedy

I think David meant Stevie rather than Dave.

Jules

to be fair that is a pic from a few years ago...

77 but looks about 20 years younger!

Interesting piece there.

This is part of a posting that came up on my FB feed this morning despite the fact that I don't follow Zara on FB. There have been plenty of supportive comments so hopefully this is just a small number of people who for whatever reason don't like Zara or don't like her performing with Richard.

Puts me in mind of the comments made back in the day about Linda McCartney when Paul included her in Wings.

Tonight, 9pm 'til 11pm : Scattering The Roots with Dan Ogus...two hours of the finest folk, roots, blues, etc...plenty of etc...

I've been sifting through my cavernous vaults to bring you some excellent music both new and vintage every Wednesday evening from 9pm 'til 11pm.

The next show goes out tonight, 9pm 'til 11pm (after Express FM Country), featuring the following artists :

The Magpie Arc, Robert Vincent, The Coal Porters, Indigo Girls, Cat Elliott, Lara Taubman, Sylvie Lewis, Steve Tilston, The Rainbow Chasers, The Full English, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Trevor Babajack Steger, The Pretenders, Al Stewart, Luke Jackson, Jocelyn Petit & Ellen Gyra, Joni Mitchell, Wild Remedy, The Old Part Of Town, Mimi Pallette, The Chair...

Listen tonight, 9pm 'til 11pm on Portsmouth's Express FM, on DAB and online here :

https://www.expressfm.com/programmes/scattering-the-roots/

Just Steve Winwood left from the original lineup

Intrigued by this review...as I have been by all the glowing 4/5 star reviews over the last few years. I've tried to find what it is that's so brilliant about them but so far singularly failed. Maybe I'll stop trying now.