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Teddy Thompson (born 1976) is an English singer-songwriter.
Biography
Thompson was born in 1976 in a London Sufi commune. He is the son of folk-rock musicians Richard and Linda Thompson, and brother to singer Kamila Thompson.
At the age of 18 Thompson moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career, which included work as a singer and guitar player in his father Richard's band from the early 1990s through the end of that decade. He appears on at least two Richard Thompson Band recordings from that time -- the 1996 "you, me, us?", and the 1999 "Mock Tudor" -- and can be seen performing in his father's band on a number of internet videos from at least as early as 1993 in an appearance on the UK-based Jools Holland show.
Debut
In 2000 he released his debut album, Teddy Thompson. The album received much critical acclaim, but achieved little commercial success. During the time between his debut album and follow up he released the moderately successful EP, Blunderbuss, and toured as part of Rosanne Cash's band. His song "Love Her For That" was featured in the film 40 Days and 40 Nights. He co-wrote the bulk of his mother's comeback album Fashionably Late, and contributes vocals.
Separate Ways
In 2005 Thompson released his second long player, Separate Ways. The album has a strong second-generation artist theme, with Rufus and Martha Wainwright, who are close friends of Thompson, featuring. He has toured and recorded with both the Wainwright siblings, including on Rufus' 2003 album, Want One. They also recorded a version of "King of the Road" for the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. Thompson also contributed a solo track for the film. Jenni Muldaur, daughter of Geoff Muldaur and Maria Muldaur, also features.
Separate Ways also features Dave Mattacks, Tony Trischka and Garth Hudson of The Band. The album was produced by Brad Albetta, who also produced Martha Wainwright's lauded debut album.
Thompson participated in a series of Leonard Cohen tribute concerts, called "Came So Far for Beauty", produced and arranged by Hal Willner. He performed along with Nick Cave, The McGarrigles, Martha Wainwright, Rufus Wainwright, Jarvis Cocker, Beth Orton, Laurie Anderson, Linda Thompson, Antony Hegarty, and Cohen's original backing singers, Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen. The concerts were performed in New York, Brighton (UK), Dublin (Ireland) and Sydney (Australia).
In 2006, he participated in Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man, a film tribute to the legendary Leonard Cohen, contributing interviews and covering some of Cohen's work (including "Tonight Will Be Fine" and "The Future") along with the Wainwrights, Nick Cave, and the McGarrigle sisters (among others). A CD Soundtrack featuring select covers from the tribute concerts was released by Verve in 2006.
In December 2006 he appeared with his mother Linda and younger sister Kamila as part of the Rufus and Martha Wainwright's Christmas Spectacular at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Upfront & Down Low and A Piece of What You Need
Thompson again co-wrote much of his mother Linda's 2007 album, Versatile Heart. Upfront & Down Low was released in the United States on 17 July, 2007, and in the UK and Europe later in 2007. The album contains covers of many of Teddy's favorite country songs.
His most recent studio album, A Piece of What You Need, was released via Verve/Forcast on June 17th 2008. The album contains all new Teddy originals and was produced by Marius DeVries, whom Teddy met while recording background vocals on Rufus Wainwright's Want records in 2002. The album includes new songs Teddy had been testing out live, including "Turning the Gun On Myself", "In My Arms" and "Can't Sing Straight."
The first single from A Piece of What You Need is "In My Arms". The music video features a cameo appearance by Rufus Wainwright dressed up as Elvis Presley.
Discography
Albums:
- Teddy Thompson (2000)
- Separate Ways (2005)
- Upfront & Down Low (2007)
- A Piece of What You Need (2008)
EPs, etc.:
- L.A. (EP) (1999)
- Blunderbuss (EP) (2004)
Guest Appearances:
- Marianne Faithfull's Easy Come, Easy Go (2008) - vocals, "How Many Worlds"
Compilation/Soundtrack Contributions:
- Psycho Soundtrack (1998) - "Psycho"
- Brokeback Mountain Soundtrack (2006) - "I Don't Want to Say Goodbye," co-lead "King of the Road" (With Rufus Wainwright)
- Q Covered: The Eighties (2006) - "Don't Dream it's Over"
- Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man Soundtrack (2006) - "The Future," "Tonight Will Be Fine"
- Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys Compilation (2006) - "Sally Brown"