Music: Singer Richard Thompson is final act at Philadelphia Folk Festival, which he first played at 40 years ago with Fairport Convention

While he comes off as one of the most commanding musical figures on stage and disc, in interview Thompson seems a rather modest, self-effacing sort, an impression enhanced by his sometime stammer.

He's quick to downplay his recent honors as curator for the Meltdown Festival in London, a distinction previously bestowed on the likes of David Bowie and Elvis Costello, and his Mojo Les Paul Award from Gibson Guitars and Mojo, Britain's top music magazine.

But when you've been on as many "world's greatest guitar player" lists as Richard Thompson has . . .

"It's a funny thing. People are very partisan about their guitar heroes. I think it's very difficult to compare them. Everyone has their voice and individuality. And I kind of hate the polls, because they've got Keith Richard at number 3 and Andre Segovia at 57. They're both fine players in their own right, but to put them on the same list . . .

"You know Eric Clapton had a hard time when they started calling him God," added our fave. "It made him very self-conscious about his playing. So I basically try to ignore that. I think of myself as a songwriter who gets up and plays. I'm an accompanist. But sometimes I do get carried away."