Customer Reviews

Bella

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Teddy Thompson's yearning, aching new CD, "Bella" is a superb showcase for his rich, angst-filled vocals. Not since his friend Rufus Wainwright's "Want" CD, has an artist's romantic suffering produced such a glorious display of gut-level heartache.

The heartfelt longing in the songs is perfectly captured in Thompson's versatile singing. His vocals on this CD show his enormous versatilty and range. In one song, he seamlessly switches from falsetto to a lower octive in the span of a few seconds. Teddy alternately channels the sadness of Roy Orbison and Richard Thompson, the immediacy of Jackson Browne, and the sly, witty irony of an upbeat Crowded House. The arrangements are denser and lusher than his previous outings, similar to Wainwright's "Want", but the songs are more tightly focused and crafted. The only misstep here is the opener, "Looking For a Girl". The lyrics of the song are too pedestrian when compared with the rest of the CD.

That Teddy Thompson is not a huge star defies logic. He is one of the finest singer/songwriters of his generation. His voice is a thing of beauty, with few contemporary rivals. Teddy wears his heart on his sleeve, and for that, we should all be grateful.

I confess it: I'm a BIG Teddy Thompson fan. I just think he's a major talent that is not getting nearly enough attention. But I find this new album is only at a "good" level. His earlier works, like "Separate Ways" and "A Piece of What you Need," are so extraordinary that the comparison bar is very very high for this guy. He's a brilliant performer, however, and any of his stuff is enjoyable. Great voice, great songs, beautiful arrangements.

I'm a fairly new Teddy Thompson fan. First heard him in a Nick Drake tribute concert. Lovely singing voice and this album showcases that voice at it's best so far. Although "Separate Ways" and the eponymous first album, "Teddy Thompson" are better(Brink of Love and Separate Ways are beautiful songs that have no equal on this new album);his voice on Bella has never sounded lovelier. Is he trying to channel Roy Orbison on "Take Care of Yourself"? Teddy's albums are consistently well written and performed with terrific back up vocals (Rufus and Martha Wainwright) and musicians (Richard Thompson). This is a good solid album. Maybe a little more produced and commercial than priors, but worth listening to and purchasing.

Teddy Thompson delivers a solid albums' worth of wonderful songs. He has a knack for writing lyrics that ring in your emotional memory as a sentiment you have felt before. His voice is just as solid as his first album, which I bought because my daughter brought it home from her job at Barnes & Noble. The music department workers got to bid for the promotional CD's provided to the store. I have purchased every CD he has put out since, even the country-heavy "Up Front & Down Low". He has a beautiful voice and I want to hear more and more; I hope he keeps giving me what I want for many years to come.

A chip off the old block, Teddy carries on the tradition of his parents, British folk-rock legends Richard and Linda Thompson. His vocals evoke the open-throated soul of Boz Scaggs, the heart-on-the-sleeve romance of Richard Hawley, and the ache of Roy Orbison. Excellent production by David Kahne wraps Bella beautifully. A thumping rhythm section joins with cosmopolitan instrumental touches such as subtle strings, a clacking xylophone, and reverb-drenched, low-string guitar figures, to build a layered listen, all good. If only Thompson had the lyric skills of his dad, Bella would be an all-round winner. But most of the songs overstate the obvious, devoid of metaphor, simile, or poetry, for example, "Home:" "Home is where you go when you need to know wherever you roam, you can always go home." Huh? If you don't listen too closely, Bella is one guilty pleasure after another.

Teddy Thompson
"Bella"
(Verve Forecast, 2011)
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The genre-hopping Mr. Thompson has found a comfortable berth in the fuzzy confines of the "Americana" genre, though he's really more of a rock-pop auteur, in the tradition of wordsmiths such as John Haitt, Graham Parker and Elvis Costello. Accordingly, this album is packed with unexpected turns of phrase, a keenly self-lacerating wit, and one irresistible pop hook after another. You'll find yourself unsettled by how catchy this record can be: the lyrics are so dark, but the melody's so sweet.

In general, Thompson lays waste to the vanity and self-centeredness of clever young men, as heard on the blistering opening salvo of "Looking For A Girl," a song that mimics the earnest, youthful lust of classic rock and power-pop, then attacks the callowness and cruelty of how these emotions can play out in real life... The singer sees himself as a real catch, a swell guy with a short and not unreasonable list of what he wants in his dream girl, while we quickly come to realize what a drag he'd be as a boyfriend. This dark streak continues through to several songs with similar themes -- "Take Care Of Yourself," "The One I Can't Have," the devastating "Take Me Back Again" and the forlorn, pathetic "Take Me Back Again." After a while, you might start feeling pretty uncomfortable -- hopefully these songs aren't too autobiographical, because even with his keen observations and obvious self-awareness, this is a pretty lonely picture that Thompson has painted. Of course, when all hope is gone, there's always Mom, a theme explored on the sweet, claustrophobic ballad, "Home," an uncomfortable family portrait on a par with Loudon Wainwright III. This is a delightfully intelligent, densely packed, catchy and compelling album... Definitely recommended! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide To Country Music)

This is Teddy Thompson's strongest collection of tunes. It has the lyrics we've come to expect. He's in great voice. And the arrangements seem to have some bite. Check it out.

The first time I heard Teddy Thompson was as one of the opening acts for Elton John's Royal Albert Hall concert of 9/22/2009. His six song set impressed me. Four of the songs were easily identifiable: "Tonight Will Be Fine"; "Can't Sing Straight"; "Everybody Move It"; and "In My Arms." The two unknown songs, well-crafted lyrically and musically, and delivered so poignantly in concert, were especially unforgettable. Both songs, "Over and Over" and "The Next One," are found on the Bella cd, a collection of 11 guitar based songs fairly evenly distributed between up tempo selections and ballads. Teddy's vocal range is demonstrated on several tunes but especially showcased on "Take Care of Yourself." Liner Notes only have an arranger credit to David Kahne for the string section but some person or persons with musicianship have prevailed in delivering art worth listening to. A gem from start to finish.

I own all of Teddy Thompsons prior CD's, and loved his only Brisbane show at The Troubador (an unbelievably classy act for the privileged few in such an intimate venue).

"Bella" is immediately welcoming and enjoyable, infused with Teddy's trademark vocal and lyrical stylings. The album continues to improve with each listen, and that's due to the strength of the musicality as well as the quality of production.

Teddy deserves big time success and broad acclaim. As a solo live entertainer he's a grand master, but I'd also love to see him with a full band performing this material.

This is the best Teddy Thompson disc I have heard. A little country in places but fun and full of heart.