Teddy Thompson – Bella – (Verve Forecast)

Although he never actually played at the original Main Point (as his father did in 1971), Teddy Thompson did play just a few doors down at The Point back when it was run in Bryn Mawr by our good friends Richard Kardon & Jesse Lundy… Here’s what we think of Teddy’s latest:

Modern British troubadour Teddy Thompson describes his own particular songwriting style simply as “a pretty melody with a twist.” For the son of famed British folk legends Richard and Linda Thompson, that twist can be any number of things, from some ironically amusing lyrical turn to a heartfelt emotional outpouring, it’s a blend of hues and shades layered with an impressionist’s eye (and ear).

For Bella, Thompson worked with veteran producer David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Regina Spektor) to craft an album that is his most richly detailed yet, stark pop and rock melodies fleshed out with, he says, “the lushness and beauty I was going for.” Armed with Kahne’s just-left-of-mainstream signature style, songs like “Looking for a Girl” (with some stinging guitar lines courtesy his famous dad) and “I Feel” just feel right, smart and substantial without forcing a false note or word. With a voice that faintly recalls Roy Orbison’s soaring tenor, the New York-based songwriter moves from 60′s pop (“Tell Me What You Want” with Jenni Muldaur, “Take Me Back Again”) to gorgeously melodic modern folk/rock (“The Next One”, “Home”) with confidence.

A solid collection of honest songs, Bella proves to be a well-balanced mix of upbeat tunes alongside heartfelt, down tempo, introspection. The superb songwriting ability of Thompson is once again evident through his blend of folk-pop meets country meets rock and roll.

BTW – Yes, the Jenni Muldaur cited in the review is the daughter of Geoff & Maria Muldaur, each of whom did indeed play the Main Point three or four times back in the 1970s… Pretty cool!