Richard Thompson Releases Hippies, Thugs and Heroes

Richard Thompson’s Hippies, Thugs and Heroes has its release day today, October 16, through New West Records. His twentieth studio album brings twelve songs, a familiar band and a timely reminder that a guitar solo still has a story to tell.

The official album page confirms the date and track list. Alongside the release, an October 15 interview finds Thompson explaining how he keeps his playing moving forward.

Home demos, then a live band

Thompson co-produced the record with James Frazee at Hobosound Studio in Weehawken, New Jersey. Frazee also handled engineering and mastering. Taras Prodaniuk plays bass, Michael Jerome drums and percussion, David Mansfield acoustic and electric guitars and fiddle, and Zara Phillips harmony vocals. Thompson’s own credits extend from guitars to mandolin, organ, harmonium and horn arrangements.

In New West’s album biography and credits, Thompson describes putting more detail into his home demos before bringing the songs to the musicians. The biography says the band recorded live, often reaching a performance within two to four takes. That combination offers a useful songwriting idea: make the demo specific enough to communicate the song, then leave space for the people playing it.

Keep the song moving through the solo

For guitarists, Thompson’s new Premier Guitar interview with Mark Finkelpearl is a practical companion to the release. He describes listening to other instruments, including John Coltrane’s saxophone and sitar players, to find ideas outside familiar fretboard patterns.

His test for a solo is equally useful. With an acoustic guitar, he considers how to keep enough strings ringing to maintain the accompaniment. With a band, he asks how the solo can continue the lyric’s message and narrative. The technique follows what the song needs, even when that means working out an unfamiliar fingering.

Thompson also says he plays nearly every day when travel allows. The takeaway is refreshingly concrete: curiosity, regular practice and attention to the song can keep a player learning long after a recognizable style has taken shape.

Where to listen

Head to the official Bandcamp album page for the available listening and purchase options. The twelve-track sequence opens with “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and closes with “Siren.” For a deeper look at his instruments and playing setup, read our full Richard Thompson guitars and gear guide.

Photo: Paul Clampin. Hippies, Thugs and Heroes cover art: Nancy Nimoy. Images from the New West Records press page, used for editorial publicity of the artist and release.