I've long thought he didn't have a really decent album in him any more, but I've really enjoyed this on first and second listen.  I'd go so far as to say it's by far the best RT release this century - aka since Mock Tudor ('99)

Fully agree. I never really got into his last few (I enjoyed most of Electric but not much after that) but this is RT back on form.

Really nice guitar sound, especially rhythm guitar. Bit more distortion than usual?

That's sent me to the Amazon download page.

Thanks!

Richard Thompson's new album - Hippies, Thugs & Heroes.

Downloaded and listened to with morning coffee - it's one of his best in years. Featuring memorable songs, the usual fabulous guitar work, and even a silver band !
60 years into his career, at 77 years young, Richard's pulled a really good one out of the bag.
Purchase and listen with confidence.
So good, I might just have to give it another spin..

I hope nothing gets in the way of having a great time. I'm just coming out of a nasty bout of Covid that has cost me 2 gigs and a weekend in Lithuania  

I saw Gong 3 weeks ago though and they were great, even though Kavus was missing as his mother was sadly passing away.

I particularly look forward to hearing how Here & Now are, they're one of my all-time favourite bands. I even managed to drag them out of semi-retirement once to play a gig in my home town, and I managed to break even on it too!

I could have but didn't go 20 years ago (saw Gong loads around the 1990s and 2000s though, including lots of the reunions...South Bank etc etc) and have always regretted it.  Booked myself a nice little pad in Glasto and am really looking forward to it.  Fingers crossed no health b*****ks gets in the way...

Its an interesting question.

There are multiple enclaves within that community that encompasse the whole spectrum of values and lifestyles.  If you've witnessed an indordinate amount of right leaning Deadheads, you might have tapped into one of those enclaves due to a shared interest that has nothing to do with politics at all.

Example:  If you happened to have been a tape trader - MANY traders are boarding school alumni.  In the late 70s through the early '80s, trading became a big thing within the boarding school networks. They, in turn, introduced the Dead to their friends back home further building the enclave. Most of these folks did not become hippies, but retained their upper middle class Republican leaning identities.  

I sooo want to got to this but don't think I can. I went to the Melkweg Gathering 20 years ago and it was one of the best weekends of my life.

You won't regret it if you're going David.

Will do!  

Jules

A whole weekend of (mostly old school) Gong-related music in Glastonbury.

What's not to like (apart, arguably, from the price)?  Well, I'm looking forward to it.

https://www.planetgong.co.uk/gigs/gathering-2026.shtml

Maybe sit this one out, Jules?