Teddy Thompson: Up Front and Down Low ((Verve)

 |   |  <1 min read

Teddy Thompson: Down Low
Teddy Thompson: Up Front and Down Low ((Verve)

The son of Richard is now on his third album but for this quietly exceptional album he takes a left-turn from his originals and goes back to the music he grew up with: American country which he grew up listening to at his dad's house.

This sensitive collection of classics and little-known covers (and one striking original, Down Low) proves what a fine and flexible voice he has, and how he possesses a particular gift for interpretation as he takes on lyrics by Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Ernest Tubb and George Jones.

With a superb band of seasoned country musicians, and friends such as Iris DeMent, Rufus Wainwright, guitarist Marc Ribot and others (including his dad on one track), this is an album that wears its heart openly and sounds the better for it.

Sounds like he is setting himself up for The Great Leap Forward. 

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

RECOMMENDED RECORD: Tami Neilson: Kingmaker (Neilson/digital outlets)

RECOMMENDED RECORD: Tami Neilson: Kingmaker (Neilson/digital outlets)

From time to time Elsewhere will single out a recent release we recommend on vinyl, like this one which comes with a beautiful and framable cover insert sleeve, the lyrics and the essay by Dr Jada... > Read more

Marshmellow: Secrets of the Universe (digital outlets)

Marshmellow: Secrets of the Universe (digital outlets)

Marshmellow is acclaimed singer-songwriter/soundtrack composer Marshall Smith who has been a Silver Scroll finalist and by his own account 2000 tracks published across the globe.... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

THE BARGAIN BUY: Che Fu; Original Album Classics

THE BARGAIN BUY: Che Fu; Original Album Classics

Given his low profile on CD since his presciently titled Beneath the Radar in 2005, these aren't just the only albums you need by this exceptional singer/songwriter but are in fact the only ones.... > Read more

Newtown Rocksteady: Goin' Steady (Loop)

Newtown Rocksteady: Goin' Steady (Loop)

Much as it would be a relief to be hugely impressed by this expanded EP -- half a dozen tracks,  four dub versions - it appears this large band have invented a variant on the rightly derided... > Read more