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Richard Thompson — Sibella
Album: Mock Tudor
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 979









Released: 1999
Length: 4:12
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Oh some girls hold the ace, the deuce, the trey
X-ray the deck to see what's coming
Mary Antoinette she smiled that way
Easy to smile when the luck is running

Like a myth you rode in from the west
From the go you had my button pressed
Did the tea-time of your soul
Make you long for wilder days?
Did you never let Jack Kerouac
Wash over you in waves?

Sibella, we don't make sense together
But my heart's with you
Sibella, I found myself
Strange but true, strange but true

Some say you can learn a lot from books
Thrill right to second-hand living
Life is just as deadly as it looks
But fiction is more forgiving

You took chances well within your means
Salon hair and creases in your jeans
All those lonely winters long
Did you really think it through
Did you really ache for me like I really ached for you

Sibella, we don't make sense together
But my heart's with you
Sibella, I found myself
Strange but true, strange but true

Sibella, we don't make sense together
But my heart's with you
Sibella, I found myself
Strange but true, strange but true
Strange but true, strange but true
Strange but true
Comments (65)add comment
This is a great song, and this lyric stays with me in particular:

Some say you can learn a lot from books
Thrill right to second-hand living
Life is just as deadly as it looks
But fiction is more forgiving
Posted 9 months ago by kcatalina    [ Reply ]
I wonder if Father John Misty used RT as an influence.  Has a very similar vibe.
Posted 9 months ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
 bstevens1951 wrote:

Lads and Lassies, if you have not seen Mr. Thompson live in concert, you cannot begin to appreciate him. He makes records, but he is truly not a recording artist. He is a performance artist. We have seen him a dozen times, in small venues with intimate seating, Watching him play up close and personal, where you'd swear there were two more guitarists, is when you appreciate some of the talents of this man. He has always been a fantastic guitar player. What he has acquired with age is an amazing voice that reveals his life experience. Top notch songwriting. Dig him acoustic, dig him electric. Thanks Bill, the world could use more Richard Thompson.


I passed up my first chance to see Tommy Emmanuel at the same venue. I made up for by seeing him in 2020. At the end, my Hubby said something like "all those chords." in reference to his playing. Just phenomenal, and as bstevens says, just an outstanding entertainer. Very highly recommended.
Posted 1 year ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
Posted 1 year ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
I love the way he belts a song with such passion.  His guitar work is right in there too.  I used to only think of Richard Thompson is association with Red Molly and the 1952 Vincent Black Shadow.  I played that song recently then played the whole album.  Loved it.  I can imagine hearing him small venue live, as some commenters have mentioned.  One of the songs I heard had what sounded like an audience repeat of lines of the lyric as part of the song.  Could have been just the band, but I bet he rocks the house and often has many singing along.
Posted 2 years ago by markthecarp    [ Reply ]
 bstevens1951 wrote:

Lads and Lassies, if you have not seen Mr. Thompson live in concert, you cannot begin to appreciate him. He makes records, but he is truly not a recording artist. He is a performance artist. We have seen him a dozen times, in small venues with intimate seating, Watching him play up close and personal, where you'd swear there were two more guitarists, is when you appreciate some of the talents of this man. He has always been a fantastic guitar player. What he has acquired with age is an amazing voice that reveals his life experience. Top notch songwriting. Dig him acoustic, dig him electric. Thanks Bill, the world could use more Richard Thompson.



I just saw him in Berkeley last Tuesday (Feb. 22). He is on tour with his wife (a very good singer herself). Great show. Have seen him several times in the past, including 1000 Years of Popular Music, which is on YouTube. Definitely recommend. 
Posted 2 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
Go cry to your mother
Posted 2 years ago by rogyus    [ Reply ]
Great!!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
New to me-nice! I gotta check his concert schedule. Only saw him live twice. Not enough!
Posted 3 years ago by Ralf    [ Reply ]
One of my all-time fave Richard Thompson songs. I like it loud!
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
My first encounter with Richard Thompson was "DEAR JANET JACKSON".
If you still remember nipplegate after nearly 20 years, find this song on YouTube and enjoy :)
Posted 3 years ago by trogel    [ Reply ]
!!!!
Posted 3 years ago by PeterMcClelland    [ Reply ]
I'll give it a 7 for the Jack Kerouac reference.
Posted 3 years ago by NoisyMiner    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by jmddj    [ Reply ]
Never warmed up to this guy's voice.
Posted 5 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
 bstevens1951 wrote:
Lads and Lassies, if you have not seen Mr. Thompson live in concert, you cannot begin to appreciate him. He makes records, but he is truly not a recording artist. He is a performance artist. We have seen him a dozen times, in small venues with intimate seating, Watching him play up close and personal, where you'd swear there were two more guitarists, is when you appreciate some of the talents of this man. He has always been a fantastic guitar player. What he has acquired with age is an amazing voice that reveals his life experience. Top notch songwriting. Dig him acoustic, dig him electric. Thanks Bill, the world could use more Richard Thompson.
 
Funny you should say that.  I think it was one of the 1st Richard Thompson concerts we attended (acoustic) and my husband leaned over and said "I swear there's someone behind the curtain playing guitar".  We've seen him electric as well - just last winter in fact and amazing as always!  
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 bstevens1951 wrote:
Lads and Lassies, if you have not seen Mr. Thompson live in concert, you cannot begin to appreciate him. He makes records, but he is truly not a recording artist. He is a performance artist. We have seen him a dozen times, in small venues with intimate seating, Watching him play up close and personal, where you'd swear there were two more guitarists, is when you appreciate some of the talents of this man. He has always been a fantastic guitar player. What he has acquired with age is an amazing voice that reveals his life experience. Top notch songwriting. Dig him acoustic, dig him electric. Thanks Bill, the world could use more Richard Thompson.
 
Ditto, Mr Bill. More Richard Thompson please. 
Posted 5 years ago by fraserji    [ Reply ]
Thanks for re-awakening the great appreciation for Tommo, which lies dormant in a permanent vegetative state within.  This man has never written, played, sang, a bad toon. Awesome !!   Ta much !
Posted 7 years ago by jimmygee848    [ Reply ]
 RedGuitar wrote:
I've twice seen him play a live solo acoustic show at a small intimate venue. He is phenomenal on the guitar and his voice seems to get stronger. I wish I could have seen him with an electric band.
 
Having had the good fortune of both acoustic and electric RT performances, I prefer ....both.
Posted 7 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Good one for me from RT!
Posted 8 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
 posner wrote:
Saw RT just last month in a small theatre — simply amazing.  I am not a musician, but he somehow manages to seem to play both bass-track and melody simultaneously, while singing, across an impressively wide range of songs that he composed/wrote.  I've never seen one person with an acoustic guitar produce such a rich aural experience.  I am not nuts about all of his tunes and his voice works better for some songs than for others, but I will always marvel at his artistry.  
 
nice!  think I'm going to enjoy myself some RT, thanks for the neat note posner  : )
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]

               Si Picko Bello punk
             Are you my proto type ?
            
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Lads and Lassies, if you have not seen Mr. Thompson live in concert, you cannot begin to appreciate him. He makes records, but he is truly not a recording artist. He is a performance artist. We have seen him a dozen times, in small venues with intimate seating, Watching him play up close and personal, where you'd swear there were two more guitarists, is when you appreciate some of the talents of this man. He has always been a fantastic guitar player. What he has acquired with age is an amazing voice that reveals his life experience. Top notch songwriting. Dig him acoustic, dig him electric. Thanks Bill, the world could use more Richard Thompson.
Posted 9 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
Aw yeah!!!
Posted 9 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
 kjf06 wrote:

Lucky Dog!

 
We adopted a happy young rescue dog who came to DC from Kentucky. She had the unfortunate name of "Sad Annabelle".  She now lives with a chef and other things that make dogs happy. We renamed her "Sibella" because I loved this song and knew we didn't make sense together, but it was all so good and 'true'.
Posted 10 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
 Carl wrote:
Richard Thompson has been a mixed bag for me over the years. I really like his sardonic lyrics, subtle humor (like his "1000 Years of Popular Music" album concept), and guitar virtuosity, but his snide vocal quality grates on me. Hard to rate.

 
Agree.
Posted 10 years ago by hopper99    [ Reply ]
What a nice little gem.

 Never heard this before. Love it.
Posted 10 years ago by rasta_tiger    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano} wonderful stuff RP
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
He was so fabulous on the Cayamo Cruise. And who'd a thunk he'd play duets with Loudon Wainwright III ("Loud and Rich").

I'm serious.
{#Dance}

 


Lucky Dog!



Posted 10 years ago by kjf06    [ Reply ]
I love Richard Thompson.
Posted 11 years ago by jerrieberrie    [ Reply ]
Richard Thompson has been a mixed bag for me over the years. I really like his sardonic lyrics, subtle humor (like his "1000 Years of Popular Music" album concept), and guitar virtuosity, but his snide vocal quality grates on me. Hard to rate.
Posted 11 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
He was so fabulous on the Cayamo Cruise. And who'd a thunk he'd play duets with Loudon Wainwright III ("Loud and Rich").

I'm serious.
{#Dance}
Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
The genius that is Richard Thompson. I've not met a piece of his work I have disliked.

Musician, poet and sadly underrated IMO. One of the worlds great guitarists.

Try and catch a live show, superb.

BTW I like him.

10

 
Posted 12 years ago by hbs47    [ Reply ]
Like a myth you rode in from the west
From the go you had my button pressed
Did the tea-time of your soul
Make you long for wilder days?
Did you never let Jack Kerouac
Wash over you in waves?

I have...I let him wash all over my sorry life and it was all good. 
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 gprinc wrote:
Bill...Play Gethsemane from the Old kit bag.
 
I second the motion. One of RT's greatest songs.

Posted 12 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
I like Richard, but this song has parts that make me say 'skip'.
Posted 13 years ago by jr2571    [ Reply ]

Ya, I like it.


Posted 14 years ago by lynncorry1964    [ Reply ]
Bill...Play Gethsemane from the Old kit bag.
Posted 15 years ago by gprinc    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
Ah....there's another of the Thompson family!!!  what genes!  {#Cheers}
 

'another of the Thompson family'? What?!
Posted 15 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
Ah....there's another of the Thompson family!!!  what genes!  {#Cheers}
Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
 timc wrote:
Do you think he and Nick Cave could sing a duet sometime?
 

Please never utter these two names together again....Cave is less than zero in comparison...IMHO
Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
 inklip wrote:
How did you find a good song on this album? I was so disappointed on first listening, I almost never give it a try anymore.
 

OMG - I love this album....hmmmm....different ears for different folks I guess
Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
Saw RT just last month in a small theatre — simply amazing.  I am not a musician, but he somehow manages to seem to play both bass-track and melody simultaneously, while singing, across an impressively wide range of songs that he composed/wrote.  I've never seen one person with an acoustic guitar produce such a rich aural experience.  I am not nuts about all of his tunes and his voice works better for some songs than for others, but I will always marvel at his artistry.  

Posted 15 years ago by posner    [ Reply ]
How did you find a good song on this album? I was so disappointed on first listening, I almost never give it a try anymore.
Posted 15 years ago by inklip    [ Reply ]
One of the best concerts I've ever seen. More Richard, please!
Posted 15 years ago by Exene    [ Reply ]
RedGuitar wrote:
I've twice seen him play a live solo acoustic show at a small intimate venue. He is phenomenal on the guitar and his voice seems to get stronger. I wish I could have seen him with an electric band.

If you see him live, earplugs are highly recommended (at least near the front). When he has Danny Thompson on bass and Dave Mattocks (spelled right?) on drums, his performances are as powerful as any you will see. Just hope that he does not invite Henry Kaiser up on the stage. It is peculiar that someone as phenomenally brilliant on guitar would let his pal Henry wail away at ear-piercing volume and little apparent ability to differentiate between good playing and excessive numbers of notes, but that has been the story every time I have seen them together. Still, Richard Thompson live and electric is definitely worth seeing.

Posted 16 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
More Richard please! 
Posted 16 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
 huebdoo wrote:
I have to admit, his "Vincent Black Lightning 1952" is probably one of my favs as songs goes... its an amazing work

I like his other stuff, but the vincent song blows me away

this is good - like the other posts, his voice seems so incredibly strong ... great stuff
 
I agree on all counts, such an interesting voice and phrasing, play more RT. (And I love the Vincent Black Lightning song too, had to look the lyrics up after I heard it the first time.)

Posted 16 years ago by PurplePrincess    [ Reply ]
Do you think he and Nick Cave could sing a duet sometime?
Posted 16 years ago by timc    [ Reply ]
Great...love the album cover too.
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
I have to admit, his "Vincent Black Lightning 1952" is probably one of my favs as songs goes... its an amazing work I like his other stuff, but the vincent song blows me away this is good - like the other posts, his voice seems so incredibly strong ... great stuff
Posted 16 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
I've twice seen him play a live solo acoustic show at a small intimate venue. He is phenomenal on the guitar and his voice seems to get stronger. I wish I could have seen him with an electric band.
Posted 18 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
Well to me that's the joy of RP.. What a playlist! Smth you don't like? Mute for three minutes and the next one's a gem. IMO RT is a wonderful artist making provocative and engaging music. pyxxel wrote:
?? What makes you think that? He sounds pretty ordinary to me... a 4.
Posted 19 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
theodore wrote:
One of the all-time great artists.
?? What makes you think that? He sounds pretty ordinary to me... a 4.
Posted 19 years ago by pyxxel    [ Reply ]
theodore wrote:
One of the all-time great artists. Everybody wants to play the guitar like him, and write like him, too. More Richard Thompson, please (Little blue number, Tear-stained letter, Waltzing's for dreamers, for instance).
I uploaded Tear Stained Letter on the LRC a while back but it got sorried after a 15/1 run.
Posted 19 years ago by davie70    [ Reply ]
One of the all-time great artists. Everybody wants to play the guitar like him, and write like him, too. More Richard Thompson, please (Little blue number, Tear-stained letter, Waltzing's for dreamers, for instance).
Posted 19 years ago by theodore    [ Reply ]
I never get excited about Norah Jones's music, and I never get bored by Richard Thompson's. She can sing circles around him - but that's the problem. She never gets anywhere! ;) He pauses just a touch on a word or two and twists his voice just a bit, and you feel more pain/anger/glory/hurt in a stanza than you get in an entire album from Ms. Jones. - Riff
Posted 19 years ago by riffster    [ Reply ]
Rickvee wrote:
RT is an amazing artist but this is just an average tune by his high standards. Bill, please play "Calvery Cross" or "Heart Needs A Home" by RT.
From the Mock Tudor album, I give Sibella a 9 and Bathsheba Smiles a 10. Anyway you cut it, Mock Tudor is a tour de force. With Richard Thompson, it just gets better with age. Either way, I'm just happy whenever I hear RT on RP.
Posted 19 years ago by davie70    [ Reply ]
RT is an amazing artist but this is just an average tune by his high standards. Bill, please play "Calvery Cross" or "Heart Needs A Home" by RT.
Posted 19 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
At first I thought this was Paul Revere and the Raiders' "Indian Reservation"...same driving drum beat and low guitar. Bill, you wouldn't happen to have that gem lying around, would ya? ("Cherokee people! Cherokee tribe!") I do like Richard Thompson, though I'll be the first to admit his voice ain't his strong suit. This song is average-above average for me.
Posted 20 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Mairy wrote:
Is this the guy who played John-Boy? :)
That Gentleman's name was Richard Thomas. :D
Posted 20 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
Is this the guy who played John-Boy? :)
Posted 20 years ago by Mairy    [ Reply ]
Shoot out the Lights is an incredible breakup album between Richard and Linda. I love Richard, but miss Linda's vocals. His first few albums after SOTL were great, but I have only been MILDLY impressed by his most recent stuff. This song isn't bad, IMO.
Posted 20 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Richard Thompson is one helluva songwriter and guitarplayer. But this is not among his best, but still very enjoyable. Every song is a story with enough substance for an entire movie. Listening to Richard Thompson for a long time can make you weary, and requires your full attention. But then again it is very rewarding when you are in the mood. How about Bee's Wing or 1952 Vincent Black Lightning? Those songs are better, if you ask me!
Posted 20 years ago by SpaceCowboy    [ Reply ]
Honestly, I'd rather read this song rather than listen to it. Perhaps he could publish instead of perform.
Posted 20 years ago by cataloger    [ Reply ]