Thompsonia
![]() 3:Prairie Home Companion star Joe Newberry says: “Thompsonia makes the listener feel like the guest of honor at a party!”
In addition to the Cajun, blues and old-time music for which Eric and Suzy have long been acclaimed, the trio also performs witty originals alongside obscurities in styles ranging from rockabilly to hokum to Americana. Standouts from their debut eponymous debut "Thompsonia" CD include Suzy’s acoustic rock anthem “Very Bad Mood” (guaranteed to have just the opposite effect on the listener), Allegra’s bawdy 1920’s “He May Be Your Dog But He’s Wearing My Collar,” Eric’s proto-zydeco “French Fries” and a lovely duet rendition of Hugh Moffatt’s “Rose of My Heart.” Thompsonia's follow-up CD, “Nothing But Rain” focuses on Southern old-time country music, from traditional balladry to country blues to old time novelty numbers. Dave Alvin says: “Thompsonia sounds like Hazel and Alice had joined forces with Memphis Minnie and recorded with Sam Phillips at Sun Studio.” Thompsonia's debut album features the genetically-matched vocals of Suzy and Allegra (Geoff Muldaur has dubbed this “The Everly Sisters sound”) with stellar lead playing from Eric on mandolin and guitar; guests include Bill Kirchen on sizzling electric guitar, Cindy Cashdollar on resonator slide guitar, Paul Knight (Peter Rowan Band) on bass, and Jody Stecher, who produced the CD, on a variety of stringed instruments. About the members of Thompsonia: Eric and Suzy Thompson have performed and recorded in collaborations with David Grisman, David Nelson (New Riders), Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin, Geoff Muldaur, Jim Kweskin, Michael Doucet, Del Rey, Dave Alvin and Joel Savoy, to name just a few, and their bands have included Any Old Time, Black Mountain Boys, California Cajun Orchestra, Blue Flame String Band and many others. Allegra Thompson is the bass player of choice for multiple Bay Area bands, including the Cajun band Midnite Ramblers and the bluegrass band Wendy Burch Steel & Redwood. She is the new host of the Pig in a Pen radio show on KPFA-FM, chosen by Ray Edlund who founded the show 48 years ago. Pig in a Pen airs every other Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Allegra is also a co-host of the "Bluegrass Signal" radio show, which airs on KALW-FM, Saturdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Some of our favorite cuts from our CDs: |