One of my Facebook friends put up a video of Eric and Suzy Thompson and their grown-up daughter Allegra a few days ago. Eric and Suzy have started a Kickstarter campaign to help them record a new CD of their family band, Thompsonia.
I happened to attend a private party last spring where the three of them played, and sight-unseen I want a copy of that CD. Allegra plays bass and sings great duets with her mother. Eric plays guitar or mandolin and Suzy plays fiddle or guitar. Their music skips around in bluegrass, blues, Cajun and what they refer to as “sarcasm-laden” originals.
The Thompsons are not only great pickers, between them they know an astonishing number of great songs and tunes in several genres. I always thought of Suzy as an old-time and Cajun fiddler, but once I heard her in a bluegrass context and you would have thought it was Kenny Baker up there. Eric is not only a great flatpicker on guitar but he is excellent on mandolin.
The CD is to be produced by Jody Stecher, another East Bay treasure, and will have guest musicians, including Bill Kirchen, and master of the Telecaster (which hints a few of the tracks will be electric).
Eric & Suzy Thompson is the title of their Facebook page. There is a video on it, in which they make their pitch and play some music. Or you can go to Kickstarter and search for them. I’m in for $50 (any contribution of $25 or more gets a copy of the CD). There are a bunch of other thank-you gifts listed for larger amounts.
Check out the video and pull out your Visa cards!
