Remembering Neil Thompson

Edinburgh, 13th September 2024, three years since Neil’s passing.

Neil was one of my dearest friends and we had many recording sessions through the years. He wanted a CD of his songs, but he didn’t like recording. It made him nervous and this resulted in performances which he was almost never happy with, therefore his album never seen the light of day and I was left with many hours of recordings.

Before she also passed last year, Jean Muir (Neil’s partner) and I discussed whether or not we should be publishing this material. We agreed that – although Neil thought most of these performances were not good enough for his CD – he would be happy for us all to listen to them to celebrate his memory.

So here is a mix of songs and practice recordings that – in spite of imperfections and mistakes – really capture what Neil sounded like.

We miss you Neil!!

Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
John Prime
Neil played this almost every night and it was one of my favourites.

Stays with Me
Neil Thompson
Another original from Neil, which was meant to be the title track for his album.

Carrickfergus
Traditional
Neil did a truly superb version of this.

Union Canal (with Hailey Beavis)
obin Laing
Neil loved this song and practiced it as a duet with Hailey Beavis. This is one of the versions from their practice sessions.

Tecumseh Valley
Townes Van Zandt
Neil loved Townes Van Zandt and covered a few of his songs.

The Terror Time / Yellow’s on the Broom
Ewan MacColl / Adam McNaughton
I think this was from some initial practice recording we did in Neil’s flat around 2008/2009. Jean found it on a CD when she cleared Neil’s flat and she handed it back to me.

Loch Tay Boat Song
Harold Boulton

Hear a Rock Weep
Neil Thompson and Jean Muir
Neil and Jean hadn’t finalised the lyrics for this song, which changed from take to take. This was the only complete version of it, all the others I have being partial recordings. It’s a moving ode to Edimburgh narrated by the city itself, recalling all the changes it went through the years.

Nancy Spain
Christy Moore
A Christy Moore cover played with Neil’s typical passion.

Movers and Shakers
Neil Thompson
Great piece of songwriting, which was hardly ever played during his sessions.

Grey Funnel Line
Cyril Tawney
From a practice session, circa 2010

Sally Free and Easy
Cyril Tawney

Everybody Have Their own Way of Walking
Neil Thompson
Another original that many folks believed to be a cover song, but was actually written by Neil

Video of Royal Oak Session

This was filmed by Jean Muir around 2010 in the Royal Oak. It’s a lovely session where we also see other of your sadly missed friends Roddy, Billy and Charlie singing and playing with Neil. Cheers to those wonderful times and people!

In loving memory of Neil Thompson, Martin Boland, Ewen Forfar, Billy Caibb, Jean Muir, GP and Roddy MacDonald. I cannot believe you are all gone. It was amazing to share the path of life with you all.