Celebrated guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson will release Acoustic Classics Vol. II on his own Beeswing record label, distributed via Proper, on August 11. Richard will play Cropredy Festival in August, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Fairport Convention and tour the UK in October.

On the heels of the success of Acoustic Classics in 2014, Acoustic Classics Vol. II will feature acoustic renderings of classic songs from the Richard Thompson catalogue, some previously recorded by other singers, some previously available only in a band format. A second album Acoustic Rarities will be released later in the year featuring new recordings of some of the more obscure songs in the Thompson catalogue, some previously existing only as cover versions.

Tracklisting for Acoustic Classics II

1. She Twists The Knife Again – 2:49

2. The Ghost Of You Walks – 4:41

3. Genesis Hall – 3:30

4. Jet Plane In A Rocking Chair – 2:29

5. A Heart Needs A Home – 3:27

6. Pharaoh – 4:26

7. Gethsemane – 5:13

8. Devonside – 3:06

9. Meet On The Ledge – 3:06

10. Keep Your Distance – 3:35

11. Bathsheba Smiles – 3:33

12. Crazy Man Michael – 4:24

13. Guns Are The Tongues – 6:06

14. Why Must I Plead? – 4:09

A hugely popular live performer, Thompson will tour the UK in October 2017, including the very first concert at the newly-established London Bridge Theatre, which is now sold out and a second London show at Cadogan Hall. Dates are as follows:

Serious and UTA present: RICHARD THOMPSON Plus support Josienne Clarke + Ben Walker

Wed 11 October Brighton Dome

Thu 12 October Guildford G-Live

Fri 13 October Poole Lighthouse

Sat 14 October Bristol Colston Hall

Sun 15 October Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre

Tue 17 October Edinburgh Usher Hall

Wed 18 October Gateshead Sage

Thu 19 October Salford Lowry

Sat 21 October Saffron Walden Saffron Hall

Sun 22 October Coventry Warwick Arts Centre

Mon 23 October London Cadogan Hall  *EXTRA DATE on sale Friday

Wed 25 October Sheffield City Hall

Thu 26 October Leicester de Montfort Hall

Fri 27 October Basingstoke Anvil

Sat 28 October Norwich Theatre Royal

Mon 30 October London Bridge Theatre  SOLD OUT