Bob Theil (psych folk rock / UK)

Bob Theil is a Scottish born singer-songwriter and guitarist, steeped in the tradition of the great acoustic troubadours from the UK scene circa 1965 and onwards. His songs and music recall what for many is considered a halcyon period when the likes of Roy Harper, Bert Jansch, Michael Chapman, Richard Thompson and Al Stewart to name a few, were plying their trade in the UK clubs and college circuit. His voice, writing and guitar playing are an eclectic mix of folk and rock influences.

Other obvious influences at the time were Bob Dylan, Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake as well as a mix of artists such as Jethro Tull, Rory Gallagher, Led Zeppelin, Genesis.

The use of mainly 12 string acoustic/electric guitar in his unique picking (finger and plectrum) style lends itself perfectly to songs that are an evocative mixture of Celtic atmosphere on the one hand, to at other times an acoustic rock sound that has been likened to Pink Floyd. In a way, this comparison is understandable given the Gilmouresque electric leads featured on a few tracks on his debut LP "So Far" (1982).

"So Far", was released in 1982 but most songs were written in the 70s and sounding like that...in fact some of the bonus tracks were recorded in the mid 70s and the most of them were written by then too.

In 1993 Bob Theil also had the CD “Bridging the Silence” released on Koch International under the pseudonym Lawrence Woolfe. 

More recently in the summer of 2003, a new collection of songs was released in the form of an limited edition LP “Playing it all for laughs” aimed mainly at the collectors’ market. A CD issue is also in the pipeline.

Songs from the Margin - CD and LP, planned.




So Far: https://youtu.be/l7wnwE7i-b8

One day, today or tomorrow: https://youtu.be/4_6QNkaaDVY 

Discography:


The Ghent Sessions LP [2010]
The Ghent Sessions CD [2007]

So Far Double-LP [2006]
So Far CD [2006]
So far CD [2004]

Playing it all for laughs LP [2003]

Bridging the silence CD [1993]

Songs From The Margin  (unreleased album recorded as a follow-up to Bob's debut-album 'So Far')

So far LP [1982]

Another flight EP [1980]

1968

"It has been said about my music that there's a strong Celtic influence in sounds and images, which reflects my Scottish upbringing. This has never been a conscious thing on my part so it must spring from a natural relationship with my roots.

Of course there is a wider world to explore outside of one's own small corner of the planet. In a cultural climate of, on the one hand ease of consumption, hype and homogenised commercial banality, and on the other hand the centuries old traditions of literature, music, philosophy and academic endeavours, is there any way of bridging the gulf between all or nothing?

To speak or remain silent, how much to express and to whom do we address and commune with? How long do our attention spans allow? What of our appetites for attentive absorption? How often does the art of conversation even remotely come close to bridging the gulf between something or nothing? So here I am, one voice amidst many. Whether the mood of my writing is light or dark, I hope it contains something of value beyond merely the superficial."  Bob Theil