Over the past 55 years, musician Danny Thompson has been a bandleader, sideman, group member and composer. Best known as a double-bassist, he has worked with the very best including Richard Thompson, John Martyn and Nick Drake, along with great jazz men such as Humphrey Lyttelton and Tubby Hayes as well as Rod Stewart, Roy Orbison, and Kate Bush.
In recent years, he has also played with our podcast subject – Paul Weller playing on albums Studio 150 and True Meanings.
The range of music that his performances have graced is hard to believe.
Working with the many true “Greats” of Blues, Jazz, Folk , World and Popular music.
A founding member of influential folk-jazz group Pentangle from 1967-1973 (along with its subsequent reunions and re-versionings) – he has also had a critically acclaimed successful solo career – winning two lifetime achievement awards at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
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EP101 – Danny Thompson – Musician & Double Bass legend… ”Chances, chances everywhere…” – Paul Weller Fan Podcast : Desperately Seeking Paul
2004 – Paul Weller – Studio 150

Danny played double bass on two tracks – cover versions of Tim Hardin‘s Don’t Make Promises and the Sister Sledge classic Thinking of You.
2018 -Paul Weller – True Meanings

Danny played on the album True Meanings – performing double bass on the track Come Along.
2016 – Live in Brighton – Paul Weller Supergroup
Danny was part of the line up for the Concert for Jeremy Corbyn – playing in a supergroup with Paul Weller, Robert Wyatt, Steve Pilgrim and Ben Gordelier.
Desperately Seeking Paul – Danny Thompson Playlist
3 hours of listening featuring Danny Thompson on a whole heap of amazing work. Have a listen to our playlist…
Some Pentangle Highlights…
Danny Thompson with Steve Pilgrim
You can find Steve Pilgrim’s Morning Skies album on bandcamp here and The Magic Strings Session on Bandcamp here – both of which feature Danny Thompson.
Recorded throughout 2016 over several sessions, Morning Skies is Steve Pilgrims 4th studio album. For this stripped back and intimate acoustic album Steve enlisted the help of Danny Thompson on double bass and was blessed by support on keys from Paul Weller.
The Magic Strings Session was recorded live over 2 days at Paul’s Black Barn Studios. “The Magic Strings Session” is a selection of Steve Pilgrims best loved material, accompanied by Danny. A further day of recording, at Liverpools Parr Street Studios, saw the Cairn String Quartet added to some of the tracks.
Some Other Video Highlights





A couple of images and a video from listener Dougie Milne who says “Hi Dan I’ve loved ever episode. Thought you might like some pics of Paul and Danny playing together in Glasgow 27th Jan 2019 for the John Martyn concert. I listen to ever episode while doing my postman round. Keep up the great work!”

