grogoch wrote: 
What a great little story!  He's rather amazing, is he not?  My favorite of his is "I Agree With Pat Metheny."  Second only to his counsel to Janet Jackson regarding certain body parts and how they could be better used to feed hungry babies...

 Papernapkin wrote: 
Could you go somewhere else instead? (Um, to your credit, you at least know what a "minstrel" is.  To your detriment, your grammar is pretty horrendous - it should be "Richard's pious and self-righteous tone DOESN'T help.")  Oh, wait - I know what it is!  He uses many-syllabled words, and possibly, that confuses you.

This is a very perceptive, articulate song (although I wouldn't mind hearing "Workin' For MCA" in a snark-set...)

 fredriley wrote: 
bares repeating

This song is awesome. Richard Thompson is a musical treasure whether he suits your musical fancy or not. I met him once in Northampton, Massachusetts. I said, "Hey man, don't I know you from somewhere?" and he said, "Capetown, 1957?"

One of lifes' great mysteries is how a musician, a thoughtful and brilliant musician such as Richard Thompson bothers so many people. It's the voice, the subject matter, his ex-wife, any old thing. I have seen him multiple times, even lucking out when living in Japan to have him play in Osaka. There really are few guitarists who can do what he does. And a bit like Dylan, his voice is a necessary part of the whole. I implore those who reject his music to listen. Thanks for playing this music!

 DaveInVA wrote: 
Dave, I recognize that Richard is a good song writer and a terrific guitarist but I just can't wrap my head around his voice. Something about it grates on my nerves....my loss.

One of his better songs in my opinion though it looks like not many people agree from the low rating...

 Papernapkin wrote: 
Christ!  The horror!!!  Make it stop!!!  Make it stop!!!

Reminds me of a minstrel. Richard's pious and self-righteous tone don't help. Could you put on some Lynyrd Skynyrd instead?

Nice!!

 jools wrote: 
I'd say it's more sarcastic (and bitingly so) than a parody. But the lyrics are certainly not serious, nor should they be taken literally.

Cool song from a great musician.

Love the percussion - great song overall.

Excellent lyrics, really putting the boot into the puritans and the jihadists and moralists and fundamentalists of all stripes. A necessary cri de coeur in these increasingly irrational and religious times. Shame the targets of this song wouldn't understand the message if they had it branded in 72pt on their foreheads. 8 from the Nottingham jury.

Hard to believe only a 5.7 for this song. I happen to really like it.

I must address the negative balance here.....this is great, the music, his voice, it's a clear case of picking on something a little different.

Open your minds

Fantastic song.  Deep stuff.

 nicolaluna wrote: 
Trust me, it is a parody

Oh - nice segue.....

Not sure why there are so many negative votes for this song.  This is the first time I've heard it, or Richard Thompson, and its seems pretty decent to me (not great, but a solid 6 or 7).

It seems many people got hung up on the lyrics so I went and read them.  I suppose I can see where overly religious people can view them as incendiary but its not exactly as if he pointing fingers at anyone specific. Most zealots I know seem to think they are open minded and probably wouldn't understand this song is about them.

Or at least that's how I see it.... :)

Okay, I just got all kooked up.... was just listening to Charlie Parker, now this dude sings about Charlie Parker.... and I wasn't paying enough attention to know if the song changed or not (how's that for being wrapped up in work!) Well, I was confused.  Thanks Bill.  At least it's not dementia.....

wow.  this song strikes me as a parody of ignorance, but i'm not sure it's a parody....  depressing. 

 bindi wrote: 

Awesome songwriter too.............

Ugh. What a disappointing song to follow a Charlie Parker tune. I mean, yeah, the lyrics mention Charlie Parker but... Ugh.

Saw Thompson two years ago and realized he's been on the road continuously since the late 60s. Man. That's almost hard to imagine. Yet he doesn't seem to have lost his edge or his talent. A very enjoyable show!

I like the song and I love that woodcut on the album cover.

 bindi wrote: 

Completely agree, bindi, in every respect.

I am sad for all the people that don't get Richard Thompson.

I've seen him three times live and will see him any chance I get. Fabulous musician.

Charlie Parker.  Charlie Parker.
 
I love the down home song, but I wish we could her some more  Charlie Parker.

Charlie Parker.

Thanks for clearing it up that this is meant to be ironic or reversal. Because, honestly, from just listening to it I didn't get it.