I dislike awards or ranking performers in order generally – for prizes or any other purposes. We are lucky in the folk music world to have so many talented  singers, musicians and personalities of every age and description it seems churlish to pick a select few for extra praise. However, if I were pressed, my own choice for all-round musicianship, creativity, etc, would have to be Phil Beer. Apart from his invaluable contribution to Show of Hands (best live band in my opinion) he has also played with innumerable others over the years, both live and in the studio, including The Albion Band, The Rolling Stones, Steve Harley, Jackie Oates, Reg Meuross, Mike Oldfield, Tom Palmer and many more.

I make this observation having recently written a song praising the guitar playing talents of Richard Thompson (see below). Of course, RT has also composed many great songs – much covered by others – and Phil’s abilities aren’t really in that direction. However, he’s one of those annoying people who, it seems, could pick up almost any instrument and get a decent tune out of it. In the beauty stakes, neither men are going to win any prizes which, for those of us gifted with model looks untrammelled by time (ha ha), this is some small compensation I suppose.

1.  I wish I had a pretty face, intelligence and wit.

Or else I wish I had the nerve,

to get away with any old you know what.

They say money opens any door no matter who you are,

But I would give up everything if I only I could play guitar.

C.  Like Richard Thompson. Who the hell is that?  Just a man in a silly hat.

 

2.  Electric or acoustic, folk, rock, jazz or blues.

Man the man’s a genius whichever one you choose.

And though he may look miserable, and his songs are a little bleak.

He could sing the phone book, his guitar still makes you weep.

 

3.  Now I have been a strummer, what a bummer for years and years.

Till my fingers are dripping blood, and the neighbours all in tears.

I’ve tried all kinds of tuning and every plucking finger pick,

But it don’t make no difference, the clever bugger makes me sick.

 

4.  Won’t deal with the devil to risk his mortal soul,

At the crossroads after midnight, just to play rock and roll.

But maybe Robert Johnson’s ghost, comes to hear him play,

Sitting on his baldy head, under that old beret.

 

5.  Now you can keep your heroes – legendary guitar men,

If you were only half as good, you’d never have to work again.

But I’d put up with poverty until my dying day,

If I could only play that thing the Richard Thompson way.

 

C2.      Not like yours truly. Who the hell is that?

Just a man in a silly hat. Not Richard Thompson….