Richard Thompson: My six best albums

Richard Thompson compilation Acoustic Rarities is out today and he tours from October 11. serious.org.uk/Thompson

SQUEEZE: Cool For Cats (Virgin EMI) They weren’t a punk band but were one of the best bands of that era.

Every song is a story with a tremendous sense of melody. With Squeeze, you didn’t have the grunginess of punk but you did have the energy and freshness of viewpoint. 

THE RAILS: Fair Warning (Universal/Island) As they say in showbusiness, nepotism will get you everywhere. My daughter and son-in-law are The Rails and this is just a great record. I am prejudiced but it’s classic folk-rock which is something I have played since the 1960s.

The way they combine elements of British traditional music and rock is different to anybody else I’ve heard.

MARISSA NADLER: Strangers (Bella Union) A contemporary American singer‑songwriter.

She’s a great original and has a unique way of harmonising with herself on record. My son said I should listen and I actually believed him. 

THE LEFT BANKE: Walk Away Renée (Import) This came out in 1967 and was very Beatles-influenced.

I played it to death. There’s a strong classical influence but they’re still three-minute pop songs. There’s a beautiful quality to it and it stands up well. 

NICK DRAKE: Five Leaves Left (UMC) He was a tortured reclusive poet who died young and sold no records in his lifetime but the cream rises to the top eventually.

He stands out as one of the most extraordinary singer-songwriters of the past 50 years. I actually play on this record somewhere. 

CROWDED HOUSE: Woodface (EMI) A really well-crafted record. I love the melodies and lyrics and they’re great singers.

Neil Finn is one of my favourite songwriters and Fall At Your Feet is a good one on this.