Eric, Suzy and Allegra Thompson put their own spin on old-time songs and tunes that date from the 1920s and 30s (or before!), adding harmonies, changing instrumentation, occasionally doing some lyric rewriting. Reknowned fiddler Bruce Molsky calls the album “a beautiful and colorful trip through the Thompsons’ vast musical world, with the sense of joy and humor that always bubbles under everything they play”.
Many of these old-time songs and tunes come from other long-ago family bands. “River Bottom Blues” comes from the Mississippi Sheiks, a hugely influential black string band consisting of members of the Chatmon family with their associate Walter Vincson. “I Don’t Drink No Whiskey” comes from the Poplin Family of Sumter, South Carolina. From the most famous country music family of all, “It’ll Aggravate Your Soul” is a rare example of A.P. Carter’s lead singing (and perhaps also his attitude towards marriage.) The melody of “Golden Chain Tree” is from the Kimble Family of Laurel Fork, in southern Virginia; we added the lyrics (a mashup of “Golden Vanity” versions). “Rag Pickings” was recorded in 1911 by the classic banjo virtuoso Fred Van Eps; Suzy plays it as she imagines the East Texas Serenaders would have. “Boatsman” comes from the great North Carolina fiddler Marcus Martin. “The Panic Is On” is a depression-era song from Hezekiah Jenkins; we updated some of the lyrics (including a reference to Eric’s song “French Fries” from our first album). We’ve loved and played Cajun music from southwest Louisiana for around 40 years and recently have been delving into the old-time music from the northern part of the state. Taylor-Griggs Louisiana Melody Makers, a family band from Bienville Parish, gave us the polka “Ione” and “Monroe Stomp” comes from Hiter Colvin of Dubach (Lincoln Parish.) Many thanks to Rich Hartness and Tolly Tollefson for teaching it to us. Our title track, “It Don’t Do Nothing But Rain,” is a pop song recorded in 1936 by pop-country crossover Lew Childre, who pronounced his last name two different ways.
Thompsonia is a family band: longtime roots music icons Eric and Suzy Thompson with their daughter, Allegra. Eric and Suzy have been key players in roots and Americana music for decades, some of the bands they've been part of include: Black Mountain Boys, Any Old Time, California Cajun Orchestra, Bluegrass Intentions, Todalo Shakers, Blue Flame String Band. They've recorded and performed with David Grisman, Jim Kweskin, Del Rey, Maria Muldaur, Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis, Geoff Muldaur, David Nelson, Joel Savoy and Jesse Lege, Dave Alvin, etc. In addition to playing bass with her parents, Allegra also plays in the Midnite Ramblers (Cajun band) and Wendy Burch Steele and Redwood. She also hosts a monthly radio show on KALW-FM, Bluegrass Signal.
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