Bob Theil

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).This LP has become a collector's item of some value. The August 2004 issue of Record Collector contains an excellent review of the album, which has now been made available on CD by Recordplex Productions in Canada .In 1993 Bob Theil also had the CD "Bridging the Silence" released on Koch International under the pseudonym Lawrence Woolfe. This CD however is no longer available, although many of the songs may re-emerge in stripped down form as part of a number of unreleased projects.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.A new CD issue of "So Far" has been published in Japan just recently, together with a special double LP from "So Far" published by Guerssen Records, which are both almost sold out.New CD out in Japan only (1000 copies) : the Ghent Sessions, mostly acoustic guitar with voice, with some additional bass and violin. Latest copies available through myspace only, for 18 euros postage included.