Upfront & Down Low
Encyclopedia
Upfront & Down Low is the self-produced, third studio album
by singer-songwriter
Teddy Thompson
, released under Verve Forecast Records
on July 17, 2007. The album features covers
of some of his favorite country songs, along with one original track ("Down Low"). Six songs on on the album include string arrangements by Robert Kirby, while "My Blue Tears" features a string arrangement by friend and fellow singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright
.
Brad Albetta (Bass, Vocal), Jeff Hill (Bass), Dan Reiser (Drums, Vocal, Percussion), Greg Leisz
(Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro), Tony Scherr (Guitar), Richard Thompson (Guitar), Marc Ribot
(Guitar), Jim Campilongo (Guitar), David Mansfield
(Dobro, Mandolin, Viola), Jason Crosby (Piano), Glen Platscha (Keyboards), Julia Kent (Cello), Iris DeMent (Vocal, Piano), Jenni Muldaur (Vocal), Tift Merritt (Vocal), Brian Fulk (Vocal), Antoine Silverman (Violin), Lorenza Ponce
(Violin), Chris Cardona (Viola), Anja Wood (Cello), John Singleton (Violin), Sally Herbert (Violin), Claire Orsler (Viola), Dinah Beamish (Cello)
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Teddy Thompson
Teddy Thompson
Teddy Thompson is a British folk and rock musician. He is the son of folk-rock musicians Richard and Linda Thompson and brother of singer Kamila Thompson...
, released under Verve Forecast Records
Verve Forecast Records
Verve Forecast Records is a record label specializing in cutting-edge material which was founded in 1967 by Verve Records and since been revived twice....
on July 17, 2007. The album features covers
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of some of his favorite country songs, along with one original track ("Down Low"). Six songs on on the album include string arrangements by Robert Kirby, while "My Blue Tears" features a string arrangement by friend and fellow singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
.
Track listing
- "Change of Heart" (Everly Brothers) - 3:05
- "Touching Home" - 2:46
- "Walking the Floor Over You" (Ernest TubbErnest TubbErnest Dale Tubb , nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, was an American singer and songwriter and one of the pioneers of country music. His biggest career hit song, "Walking the Floor Over You" , marked the rise of the honky tonk style of music...
) - 2:24 - "All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers" (Liz AndersonLiz AndersonLiz Anderson was anAmerican country music singer/songwriter who was one of a wave of a new generation of female vocalists in the genre during the 1960's to write and record her own songs on a regular basis. Writing in The New York Times Bill Friskics-Warren noted, "Like her contemporary Loretta...
) - 3:06 - "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone" (Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
) - 4:22 - "My Heart Echoes" - 3:27
- "The Worst is Yet to Come" (Liz Anderson) - 4:26
- "My Blue Tears" (Dolly PartonDolly PartonDolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
) - 3:16 - "Down Low" (Teddy Thompson) - 5:52
- "You Finally Said Something Good (When You Said Goodbye)" (Louvin BrothersLouvin BrothersThe Louvin Brothers were an American country music duo composed of brothers Ira Lonnie Loudermilk and Charlie Elzer Loudermilk , better known as Ira and Charlie Louvin. They helped popularize close harmony, a genre of country music.-History:The brothers adopted the name Louvin Brothers in the...
) - 2:40 - "She Thinks I Still CareShe Thinks I Still Care"She Thinks I Still Care" is a song written by Dickey Lee and Steve Duffy which became the third C&W #1 hit for George Jones, spending six weeks at #1 in the spring/summer of 1962...
" (Dickey LeeDickey LeeRoyden Dickey Lipscomb , known professionally as Dickey Lee , is an American pop/country singer and songwriter, best known for the 1960s teenage tragedy songs "Patches" and "Laurie ."-Career:Lee made his first recordings in his hometown of Memphis for Tampa...
, Steve Duffy) - 3:20 - "Let's Think About Living" (Boudleaux Bryant) - 2:08
- "Don't Ask Me to Be Friends" (Everly Brothers) 3:11
Personnel
- Strings arranged by Robert KirbyRobert KirbyRobert Kirby was a British born arranger of string sections for rock and folk music. He is best known for his work on the Nick Drake albums, Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter, but has also worked with Elton John, Ralph McTell, Strawbs, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello.-At Cambridge:Patrick...
(1,2,4,5,9,10,11) and Rufus Wainwright (8) - Produced by Teddy Thompson
- Recorded by Brian Fulk at Monkeyboy Studios, Brooklyn, NY
- Mixed by Tom Schick at Monkeyboy Studios, Brooklyn, NY
- Strings recorded at Dubway Studios, New York, NY and Air Edel Studios, London, UK
- Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound
- Management: Gary Waldman at Morebarn Music
Brad Albetta (Bass, Vocal), Jeff Hill (Bass), Dan Reiser (Drums, Vocal, Percussion), Greg Leisz
Greg Leisz
Greg Leisz is an American multi-instrumentalist, playing lap and pedal steel guitars, guitar, mandolin, and bass.- Biography :Leisz was influenced early on by the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, especially pedal steel player "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow...
(Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro), Tony Scherr (Guitar), Richard Thompson (Guitar), Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
(Guitar), Jim Campilongo (Guitar), David Mansfield
David Mansfield
David Mansfield is an American violinist, mandolin player, guitarist, pedal steel guitar player, and composer....
(Dobro, Mandolin, Viola), Jason Crosby (Piano), Glen Platscha (Keyboards), Julia Kent (Cello), Iris DeMent (Vocal, Piano), Jenni Muldaur (Vocal), Tift Merritt (Vocal), Brian Fulk (Vocal), Antoine Silverman (Violin), Lorenza Ponce
Lorenza Ponce
Lorenza Ponce is an American violinist, vocalist, string arranger and composer. She has recorded five albums of her own music and is well known for her collaborative and supporting roles with other musicians, most notably as a touring musician with Bon Jovi and a member of the Jon Bon Jovi ...
(Violin), Chris Cardona (Viola), Anja Wood (Cello), John Singleton (Violin), Sally Herbert (Violin), Claire Orsler (Viola), Dinah Beamish (Cello)
Chart performance
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 49 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers | 19 |