Customer Reviews

Separate Ways

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Teddy Thompson could be like the kids of some musicians and coast on his parents reputation putting out likable music. Instead, he's crafted a terrific second album (the first is exceptionally good as well)of 12 songs (13 counting the secret track at the end) that travel all over the musical roadmap. For those that don't know Teddy is the son of famed writer/singer/guitarist Richard Thompson (a former member of folk-rock group Fairport Convention and solo artist) and folk singer Linda Thompson Kenis (she recorded a stunning series of albums with her former husband and has recently begun recording again).

"Separate Ways" features a number of stunning songs with Teddy's rich voice (which recalls his mom's warm and clear voice)and a number of great musical guests to help out. Dad Richard plays lead guitar on two tracks most notably on "I Should Get Up" and mom Linda appears on a secret bonus track a cover of the Everly Brothers' "Take a Message to Mary". Songwriter/singer Rufus Wainwright, his sister Martha and Jenni Muldaur (daughter of Maria Muldaur)appear on the "Shine So Bright" which tells the tale of the child of a famous star wanting to be...famous. It's a witty song with more than a touch of irony. Richard Thompson plays marvelous guitar solo on the rockin' "Altered States". Despite the fact that Teddy's the son of music "royalty" he's developed a distinctive songwriting voice and style of his own. Heck, I'd be willing to bet that some of these catchy songs would garner some radio airplay if stations were willing to take a risk (and if Verve were to make a big push for Teddy).

For those that are interested in Teddy's two albums, I'd also suggest Linda's "Fashionably Late" where Teddy co-wrote the bulk of the songs with his mom (and plays guitar harmonizing on occasion as well) and his Dad Richard's latest album as well which features his Dad's rich baritone and sharp guitar playing. By the way, Teddy appears on Richard's "Persausion" singing a duet with his Dad. It's one of Richard's best ballads and well worth picking up on Richard's "Action Packed!" Best of CD.

Highly recommended.

This is an exceptionally well crafted and well sung album. Teddy's first CD was good; this one is great! As others have stated, the songs are very catchy - at times I was reminded of early Crowded House. This is a CD I'll be recommending to many acquaintances. (In fact, I already told several people about it today, and it was just released yesterday!) I also rarely give 5-star ratings (unlike most Amazon customers, who casually give 5 stars to everything they like even a little), but this one deserves the top rating.

Teddy Thompson gives us a marvelous recording. The songs are catchy and memorable. He has an emotive and expressive voice, which is somehow very endearing. The arrangements are just right, varied, textured and clear.
The Wainwrights and Thompsons add charm and flavor. Congratulations Teddy, a real pleasure!

Teddy Thompson's voice is stunning, not just it's natural beauty but the subtle delivery I associate with much more seasoned performers. It makes me think of George Jones and Johnny Cash and the way they could turn a song inside out. The arrangements on Separate Ways are similarly nuanced. I'm of his dad's generation, but if I were in my 20s, I'm sure I'd be playing this album non-stop. As it is, I've got it mixed into my playlists.

Teddy Thompson is an incredible talent! This guy has a voice that is truly unique and his songs are all really good. This CD is one of my favorites. I think his voice blows the doors off both his parents' singing abilities, of course the combination of Richard and Linda produced this amazing guy! Check out this fabulous collection of songs. It will become addicitive.

I suppose it doesn't hurt to have parents like Richard and
Linda Thompson but this young guy has a big future in the
music business. He's blessed with a great strong, mellow voice and his
tunes have a slight country-folk edge without the annoying clone crap
you find here in the states. Great songwriting and harmonies
from start to finish a real treat to those that seek out fresh
music. Teddy doesn't sing much about the happy, his songs
reflect some of life's downturns but he can really tackle a
song and get in such feelings. He is one to watch. Teddy also
contributes to the Brokeback mountain soundtrack with a country
song, fits his style perfect.

I first heard samples from this CD on a Verve sampler CD that I almost threw away without listening. I am glad I didn't! Teddy has quite a unique voice that grabs your attention on the first listen - somewhere left of James Taylor with some youthful grittiness thrown in. "Everybody Move It" is the song that has caught my attention & has seen me humming it all day long for a few weeks now. Many of the other songs are equally well-written and catchy. A high-quality album.

Unfortunately the CD is only available as a UK import at the moment, with the domestic US release due in Feb 2006. Still, well worth the higher price.

It's a fine effort from Teddy (and the first was equally fine). And the connections that have been made to the Finn brothers (check out Tim's acoustic version of "Persuasion" with Richard Thompson, if you can find it) and the second generation of links to the Wainwright dynasty (loved the album cover with the photo of "Loud and Rich" on the back) hold up well.

The annoyingly brilliant marketing guru and writer Seth Godin recently divided consumers into three categories. At the top is the "Authentic Fringe" --- people who value authenticity. Next come the "Smells Authentic" cadre --- those who prefer "Authenticity Lite," something with just enough real ingredients to pass. Finally, there is the "Factory Fringe" --- people who flee from authenticity "because it reminds them of risk and inconsistency."

When I reach for a CD, I want to wake up, I want a shot of mental adrenalin, I want to feel something down to my bones, I want the top of my head blown off. For my money, singer-songwriters do that best --- they've created the entire experience, they're in complete charge of the magic.

Like, say, Teddy Thompson, just 30 but with the mussed-up hair and the innocence of an eighteen-year-old. A Brit, which always suggests a certain facility with language. And a legacy --- he's the son of legendary guitarist Richard Thompson and the singer Linda Thompson.

'Separate Ways,' his second CD, starts like this:

I want to be a huge star
who hangs out in hotel bars
I want to wake up at noon
in somebody else's room
I want to shine so bright it hurts....

Amusing. But what is this? "I wanna be death bed thin." And "I wanna be high strung/Make people wonder/what they've done." Hey, these dreams are not so nice.

That's when you realize that 'Separate Ways' is a time bomb. The music is rich and varied and loaded with star power --- Dad plays guitar on five cuts, one song is a duet with Mom, and backup singers include Rufus and Martha Wainwright. If you didn't listen to the words, you would say this is one happy record, tinged with occasional solemnity.

But the words! Only gradually, as you play the CD over and over (and you cannot help but play it over and over --- it's hypnotic), you find the common thread: the difficulty of relationships, especially when one of the participants is troubled. "Depression looms --- I'm such a miserable fool," the second song begins. A song about an affair is called "I Wish It Was Over." In another, he moans: "I saw you in the bar last night/Taking drinks from every guy/Foolish me for thinking we had something." No wonder the narrator of one song finds it "hard to believe that I would be somebody's idea of love."

And yet, I repeat, this CD is far from gloomy. It's exciting --- you hear echoes of Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman in the voice and phrasing, reminders of some great band you can't quite name in the music. And then, in the title song, you are confronted with a masterpiece.

Brushes on the drum. A delicate acoustic guitar figure. And then these broken-hearted lyrics:

Come rolling into town unaware
Of the power that you have over me
And what am I to do
With hello how are you
Nothing's ever said that should be

And I don't care about you
If you don't care about me
We can go our separate ways
If you want to
The ties of love are strong
But they can be undone
And we'll go our separate ways
If you want to

There's more like that. Much more. It's an open vein of a song. Not to hear it --- not to have it as a reminder of those moments when your life was like that --- is to go through your days slightly blinkered.

I say: Rip off those blinkers. Dare to feel everything that Teddy Thompson serves up on a bed of seductive melodies. Because you are, after all, in the Authentic Fringe.

I've been living with Teddy T. for about a week now. My overall impression is that Teddy's sophomore effort, "Separate Ways", is a good but not great album. The title of the album is certainly apt as many of the songs on this album are about Teddy dumping his significant others. In this respect the album seems more country than rock without the twang and steel string guitars.

The musicianship on display is certainly competent and Teddy's voice is very nice. I will also admit to admiring him as a tunesmith. These songs, save one or two, are humable without being fluff.

To his credit Teddy's music seems honest... and maybe that's the rub because lyrically Teddy would appear to be genuinely a cad in his relationships, paralyzed by inertia in life and generally depressed. Perhaps I'm reading too much into his lyrics but I don't think so. This album is generally a downer, more so than any Neil Young album in my collection and that's saying something.

Still, "Separate Ways" is definitely worth a listen. My advice to Mr. Thompson would be to try some Celexa, lighten up and next time rock a little more. The result could be absolutely fabulous.