Jenni Muldaur, Teddy Thompson and Me...
I had the great pleasure and privilege to see Jenni Muldaur and Teddy Thompson celebrate the release of their new album Once More: Jenni Muldaur & Teddy Thompson Sing The Great Country Duets with a riveting performance at Joe's Pub in New York City on November 11, 2023. Part of the New York Public Theater and named after its famed producer, impresario and benefactor Joseph Papp, Joe’s Pub is an intimate space with pristine acoustics. The excitement was palpable as the audience settled in, a mix of actors, artists, authors, New York downtown cognoscenti and Hampton swells. Jenni and Teddy's band was led by the gifted string master David Mansfield on guitar and fiddle, and included Tony Scherr on bass, Matt Beck on piano, G Wiz (aka Greg Wieczorek) on drums, and Mike Robinson on guitar and pedal steel, all crack studio and performing musicians. It was a fabulous concert with a curated collection of songs befitting the colossal musical DNA and pedigrees which Jenni and Teddy share.
Jenni testifyin’ Joe'sPub, NYC 11.11.23
Born in Boston, Jenni is the daughter of Geoff and Maria Muldaur, both accomplished and revered musicians. While Maria is more well known, especially for her Top 10 hit, "Midnight At The Oasis," Geoff is certainly no slouch, having recorded and performed with John Cale, Bobby Charles, Jerry Garcia, Bonnie Raitt, and as a member of the influential Better Days band led by harmonica blues virtuoso Paul Butterfield. Geoff and Maria D'Amato met in the early 1960s while performing in the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, a mainstay of the burgeoning Boston folk scene. Geoff and Maria got married and later decamped to Woodstock, New York where they released two albums under the Geoff & Maria Muldaur moniker. Though they divorced many years ago, Maria remains a powerhouse who still performs and records (please read more here https://www.vinyl-magic.com/blog/maria-muldaur-and-me ), while Geoff transitioned to writing film scores and television work, even winning an Emmy. For her part, Jenni has recorded several well crafted and critically acclaimed solo albums, whilst touring and recording with Lou Reed, David Byrne, John Cale, Marianne Faithful, Ronnie Spector, Eric Clapton, Rufus Wainwright, and many others.
Teddy Thompson is similarly afflicted and blessed. His father, Richard Thompson, is one of the great guitarists, Rolling Stone ranks him #19 on their Top 100 Greatest Guitarists, whatever that means. I have found these Top 100 lists to be particularly tiresome and loathsome. To me, their purpose has always been to inflame rather than to instruct. Nevertheless, Richard is a master singer-songwriter and guitarist in every sense, from his founding of the seminal English folk rock band Fairport Convention in 1967 to his solo career which continues for more than fifty years and presently. Teddy’s mother, Linda (Peters) Thompson is simply one of the finest English (or anywhere) folk singers. She and Richard recorded six albums together which have been staples in our home for decades. Yes, talent abounds in the Muldaur and Thompson family trees, but it certainly didn’t end with the parents, it extends through Jenni and Teddy to today.
The show at Joe's Pub was revelatory. It takes a lot of courage to sing country duets, especially songs made famous by the likes of George Jones & Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn, and Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, masters of the genre, but Jenni and Teddy were more than equal to the task. They opened with "Just Someone I Used to Know" from the Dolly and Porter songbook and we were off to the races. Their voices blended beautifully, and the band played crisp, taut solos under the leadership of David Mansfield who produced the album. Jenni has a powerful, soulful voice with a more than a soupçon of twang. Teddy smartly did not try to out-sing George Jones (who can?!), rather, he was understated, earnest and sturdy, a perfect foil and complement. Other highlights were "Golden Ring," "Once More,” "Take Me," and a beautiful version of "Makin' Believe," a treasured song which has been sung by Ray Charles, Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, Kitty Wells and, perhaps, my favorite version, a crunchy punk rock rumble by Social Distortion.
At one point, Teddy quipped that they would play the Once More album in its entirety, about twenty-eight minutes in length and then say goodbye. Even though Harlan Howard famously described country music as “three chords and the truth,” he neglected to mention it was also recorded under three minutes! Fortunately, they didn't leave early, and Jenni sang a soulful, bravura "Stand By Your Man'' to the delight of the rapturous audience. And the ghost of the late great producer Hal Willner (think Rick Rubin only much cooler!) was summoned when they sang an ethereal "I Believe In You," a gorgeous treatment of the Neil Young classic, which Jenni said Hal insisted they perform for a Canada Day celebration held long ago at Joe's Pub. As always, Hal's instincts were impeccable and flawless, surpassed only by Jenni and Teddy's delivery on this tender, winsome ballad. An upbeat "Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries" ended the night with the band and audience in raucous revelry.
Teddy & Jenni Do George & Tammy (2022) signed by Jenni, Teddy cover art by Cindy Sherman
After the show, Jenni greeted a throng of well wishers at the merch table. There was so much love and respect, I felt like I was crashing a wedding reception or an engagement party among close and trusted friends. Jenni was very gracious in signing my vinyl, including some 45s which I had bought during the throes of the pandemic. The George and Tammy cover was done by famed artist Cindy Sherman, who was seated near me during the show. "You know, this will be a collector's item," Jenni whispered conspiratorially. She also said the sepia toned Once More album cover photo was taken out East in the Hamptons, a previously unknown hotbed of honkytonk music. She mentioned that a friend had said that on stage she looked like a gunslinger, all dressed in embroidered black. Maybe so, but she was an even better song slinger and soul sender. I thanked her for her kindness and especially the music.
Teddy & Jenni Do Porter & Dolly (2022) signed by Jenni and Teddy
I was struck by a quote which I read by Teddy about the universality of country music: “It doesn’t matter where you are from or what accent you have, this music can speak to you. I fell in love with it as a little boy growing up in London a longtime after it was recorded.” To which Jenni added, “These songs speak directly to the heart. I can remember pulling over to the side of the road while listening to George Jones because a song made me so emotional.” Possum does that, it’s what he do, and now Jenni and Teddy carry on this rich legacy..
Many, many thanks to Jenni and Teddy for expanding the Great American Songbook to include these country classics, their talents are deserving of far and wide acclaim. Hopefully, there’s a Volume 2 somewheres down the road.
Jenni’s first album credit on mama Maria’s million selling Maria Muldaur (1973) - an auspicious debut!
Choice Jenni and Teddy Cuts (per BKs request)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q24M4TRL8WY&list=OLAK5uy_mchHKbAoLl_AOivQDEkVLpY1KL4tdYn4A&index=1
"Just Someone I Used To Know" Once More 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chZicRXDQB8
"Makin' Believe" Once More 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6C0ufaoClE&list=OLAK5uy_mchHKbAoLl_AOivQDEkVLpY1KL4tdYn4A&index=12
"Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries" Once More 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozzBqYsCxQ0
"Golden Ring" Once More 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAIjWlov7NI
"Dearest Darlin' (with Joseph Arthur) Dearest Darlin' 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv6e_8YXMy0
"I Believe In You" Teddy and Jenni live at City Winery with David Mansfield, NYC 8.16/2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJi7JyLpiN4
"Take Me" Once More 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXFKaabbIk0
"We're Gonna Hold On" Once More 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OHMM_gvOGc
"Want" Rufus Wainwright with Jenni 2003
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ku41ufV_cQ
"Jesus" Jenni sings Lou Reed, Bowery Electric, NYC 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tvvn3Ai1Y4
"In The Pines" Jenni sings Leadbelly with Tony Scherr and David Mansfield, City Winery NYC 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-uuXXwGqXA
The Fallout Shelter Sessions: Jenni and Teddy create magic live with David Mansfield 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHo7ucNwP_A
"She Thinks I Still Care" Teddy sings George Jones Transatlantic Sessions, Loch Lomond Scotland 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g35D5jwpbpM
"Persuasion" Teddy and Richard Thompson 2001
Bonus Picks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJgPZLEUI1A
"Making Believe" Social Distortion Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell 1992
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEb9dEMV3p8
'Making Believe" Emmylou Harris Live 1977 with Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ylHmklbqg&list=RD94ylHmklbqg&start_radio=1
"Making Believe" Merle Haggard 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqViJyweNV0
"A Heart Needs A Home" Linda and Richard Thompson live 1975
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzqjD-_OMHk
"Dimming Of The Day" Linda and Richard Thompson
