Bridging the past and the future of the Bay Area’s roots music scene, this show features Thompsonia – Eric & Suzy Thompson (Any Old Time, Black Mountain Boys, Blue Flame String Band, Texas Sheiks, California Cajun Orchestra, etc. etc.) have joined forces with their daughter, Allegra (Midnite Ramblers, Wendy Burch Steele Band, Drifter Sisters) and are releasing a CD that’s different from Eric & Suzy’s other recordings – Thompsonia is an entertaining mix of originals, rockabilly, and hokum blues, featuring the genetically matched voices of the mother-daughter team of Suzy and Allegra. Produced by Jody Stecher, Thompsonia is already garnering praise from the likes of Prairie Home Companion star Joe Newberry, who says “Thompsonia makes the listener feel like the guest of honor at a party. The varied program highlights favorite after favorite, including the Hugh Moffat love song "Rose of My Heart," the Suzy Thompson-penned "Forrest Rag," the romantic rockabilly "I've Got a Bead on You Baby," and Suzy Thompson's "Very Bad Mood," which puts the listener in exactly the opposite frame of mind.”

Blue Diamond Strings showcases the beautiful vocals of Kate Brislin and Jody Stecher, backed by Eric and Suzy Thompson, Paul Shelasky and Paul Knight. Since Thompsonia includes Eric & Suzy, and Jody (who produced the Thompsonia CD), Kate and Paul Knight will be special guests with Thompsonia, it seemed like a no-brainer to bring Paul Shelasky on board and add an entire set by the all-star Blue Diamond Strings. Breathtaking harmonies, superb chops and deep knowledge of many styles of traditional music make for spontaneous combustion on material that straddles the line between bluegrass and old-time. You’ll hear powerhouse double fiddle tunes, harmonies from the bluegrass and old-time repertoire, and humorous originals like Paul Shelasky’s “Praying Mantis Love Affair” (sung by Jody in the style of George Jones.) A partial “bandography” spanning 50 years: Asphalt Jungle Mountain Boys (Eric & Jody with Jerry Garcia), Any Old Time (Suzy, Kate), Blue Flame Stringband (Suzy, Kate, Eric), Arkansas Sheiks (Kate & Paul S), Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Perfect Strangers (Paul K, Jody), Kleptograss (Eric, Jody, Paul, Paul), Good Old Persons, Blue and Lonesome (Paul S), Todalo Shakers, California Cajun Orchestra (Eric, Suzy), Bluegrass Intentions (Eric, Suzy, Jody).

visit the Eric & Suzy Thompson website

visit the Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin website

photo by Irene Young