Bella

Teddy Thompson’ marvelous fifth album

Together with his sister Kamila British musician Teddy Thompson is carrying on the life work of his parents’, Richard and Linda Thompson’, folk-singers known in the second half of the last century. Teddy stylistic interests spread much wider, however, without limiting him to folk alone. He considers country the most expressive and emotional music, besides, one can often hear memorable pop-melodies and energetic rock in his songs. Starting as one of musicians in his father’s backing band Teddy Thompson released his self-titled debut album only at the age of twenty-four, in 2000. The record drew the critics’ attention immediately, inspiring the musician to record further. Summer of 2008 saw the release of his most successful by that time fourth work A Piece of What You Need, which debuted at number ten in the UK chart. Having hardly finished the supporting tour the musician got to work on his new material and is releasing his marvelous fifth album Bella at the beginning of this year. This collection of songs with varied moods serves a great continuation of the previous creation and proves to be Teddy Thompson’s most personal work to date.

On Bella Teddy Thompson assumes the image of a bold guy sure of himself

Teddy Thompson’s voice has always been highly estimated but the singer surprises everyone on his new album Bella refining some of the songs with amazing falsetto parts which immediately call for comparisons with the 1960s’ star Roy Orbison. Besides Teddy has inherited from his starry father the ability to write lyrics in which the sullen, often self-criticizing tone and black humor are combined with sparkling word play. On the new record, however, he assumes the image of a bold guy sure of himself who just wants to love and be loved. The most exposing for that matter is the opening Looking For A Girl, on which Thompson is presenting a potential girlfriend’s portrait against the background of contagiously rhythmic guitar. All the girls having feelings for the interesting and creative British will get the maximum of necessary information from this song, and Teddy might still regret that he has practically announced a competition between them. The most beautiful and sensual composition Delilah invites us to ride the waves of low and high notes in the wonderful vocals, and the more dynamic number I Feel is filled with strongest emotions expressed both in the instruments and in the voice. The complicated tune braided out of a magic cello, guitars, violins Over And Over is one of the most mature and serious pieces of work in Teddy Thompson’s career, and Take Me Back Again is one of those songs which take us back to the last century’s greatest hits and sounds like pop-folk-country classics. One can say the same about Tell Me What You Want, a charming duet with the American folk singer Jenny Muldaur. The soulful lyrical composition Home is followed by the impressively powerful The Next One, while Take Care Of Yourself closes with an incredible falsetto. Despair-filled pop rock song about unshared love The One I Can’t Have makes one remember about Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley, and the album closer is another romantic ballad about the importance of love, Gotta Have Someone.

An entire palette of deep and unfeigned feelings

As wonderful as it may seem, every Teddy Thompson’s album serves the proof of his mastery of a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, and Bella is no exception. Listening to his integral, dynamically lyrical record you cannot help thinking that this guy knows some secret formula of a successful hit. Eleven tracks, forty minutes of wonderful music filled with romance, humor, sadness, hope, torturing anticipation and deep philosophy will fly pass you in no time and you will never fill like skipping any of these songs. Each of them creates its special world, atmosphere which is both intimate and open, and everyone can find something personal in it. There are no simple catchy tunes here, though all the songs are based on harmonies, and Thompson’s lyrics naturally underline their mood. On the whole, if you have been looking for an album as vivid, rich in feelings, sincere and soulful as the records of rock-n-roll, pop country and folk masters were, the record Bella will be the best choice for you. Hopefully Teddy Thompson will not turn into an eternally joyful self-loving egoist and will continue to please us with profound, smart songs filled with an entire palette of deep and unfeigned feelings.