Obituary
Danny, probably best known for his work with Pentangle, John Martyn and Richard Thompson, has died at the more than respectable age of 86. He was a much in demand session player for artists from Kate Bush to Everything but the Girl, as well as being the perfect Cropredy host. Looking at his Wiki entry just now I learned that Danny and his faithful double bass Victoria also played on Cliff’s Congratulations and the theme tune to Thunderbirds.
The suitably moody picture is from what may have been his last stage appearance, at Richard Thompson’s 75 shindig at the Royal Albert Hall last year.
Truly sorry to hear it – off the top of my head, I don’t think I could count how many albums I have, to which he contributed.
The John Martyn nailed under a carpet HORA comes to mind…
Sad news but he’s definitely one of those who lived life to the full, on his own terms, was respected by all and leaves an immaculate legacy. I remember him on Nick Drake, who he tried to look after. “I thought all he needed was a few pints, a bacon, egg and chip butty and a shag and he’d be OK. Well we tried that and it didn’t work”. Swing on.
A superb player who enjoyed playing in “the dusty bits” of the bass. I was also at the 75th concert and was so pleased to see Victoria on stage after the interval. An all round decent chap. He will be sadly missed.
Here’s someone else’s photo from RT’s 75th.
I am sad to read that. He seemed to be eternal and certainly one of the oak tree pillars of many music scenes, his sonorous tones decorating many great tracks, that seemed to get an extra dimension of musicality from his involvement. I particularly liked the Whatever and Djzrhythmia albums, but he was good all over the place. How suitable that he gets the Gerry Rafferty treatment with two orbits. Here he is in rare vocal performance, I hope there’ll be many other clips posted, so I can revel in his bassage –
Revel in his bassage and his ‘singage’ Blue Monk aka The Lonliest Monk. I look up something sensible too.
Last saw him play a decade back. He was introduced from the stage by Ryley Walker as ‘Danny Fucking Thompson’. We all knew who he was back then, we all loved his musicianship, and we will all be sad to see that he’s gone now. A total legend. Condolences to all who knew and loved him.
Such sad news. Saw him perform a few times with Richard Thompson and others and it was always a pleasure to see him on stage – his character as well as his musicianship shone through.
Transatlantic Sessions(the very first one I think).
I remember the shock as it was announced, at Cropredy, that he had had a stroke and would not be compering that year. But he was rung, live from stage, and his gratitude was enormous. My dad had died from a stroke not so far earlier, and so I expected Sir Danny’s days were similarly numbered. In fact it was probably 20 years plus ago, and he continued to add his distinctive bass for many years more. Praise be, if leaving me think him indestructible.
R.I.P. Sir!
Just every other post on my Facebook page is a tribute to Danny, it’s good to know how loved he was.
His son called him from the stage and had the crowd sing Danny Boy for him. ‘I’ll be back!’, he said. And he was. There was probably a cry of, ‘Get on with it!’ as well, just to stop him feeling too homesick.
Yes, that was it!
I was there! We all sang “Oh Danny boy” at the tops of our voices.
Like this – see if you can pick out Twang, Retro and me in the mix.
And me.
Moi Aussi.
We could have had a mingle except it was several years before Word magazine started, let alone the Word blog board.
Very sad news. One of the greats.
Here he is with Toumani Diabate and the guys from Ketama from the 1980s
And now Toumani and Danny
My favourite Danny-featuring clip.
A little smile of satisfaction at the end, knowing he’d completely nailed it.
R.I.P.
Thanks @Mike-H That was splendid.
Those Songhai albums are superb. I saw him many times with RT, also with John Martyn and a few years ago at SXSW with Taj Mahal. When I get home on Friday I will play the Industry album he did with RT. It is a king time since I played that.
RT has lost his scrabble player and we have lost a top musician and a fun bloke.
Love Danny Thompson’s playing, absolute genius. Imagine my delight when the son of a friend who was recording his first album (which sunk without trace despite a favourable review in the Word) announced “Guess who’s playing on Track 3!?”
Few days later – ” What a miserable bastard! All he talked about was his fee, sat there with a face like a stewed prune”.
God Rest You, D.
This is just brilliant , isn’t it? Always loved his playing, and watching him here is mind boggling…
RIP, Mr. T.
One of those musos whose name was always a good sign when spotted in the credits
The joy on everyone’s face at the end is truly, truly magnificent
Beautiful… thanks!
Have always loved this performance. RIP Danny….
I know we all have to go sometime and 86 is better than a lot, but Danny and John Martyn were such a big part of my formative years that this is sadder than many. RIP.
This is from the time Danny spoke at The Cat Club Pontefract unfortunately I want there but I wish I had been,
Enjoy