Bright Lights, Big Shadow

NAME BRAND: "Who knows, in time, I might not be referred to as anyone's son -- you never know," says Teddy Thompson."But I can't count on that happening any time soon."

Teddy Thompson expands on the family business.

by Nicole Pensiero

It's New Year's Day and Teddy Thompson is in a decidedly pleasant mood, despite his brutal jet lag; he just flew in from London the day before and went out with friends that same night to usher in 2003.

"It's not nearly as glamorous as it sounds," he says. "And I'm paying for it today."

Teddy Thompson knows plenty about paying his dues, especially in terms of his career. Being the son of folk-pop icons Richard and Linda Thompson simply means, on some level, you have to stay a step ahead of others' expectations.

"Who knows, in time, I might not be referred to as anyone's son -- you never know," he says. "But I can't count on that happening any time soon."

The past year has been an interesting one for the 26-year-old singer/songwriter, who played a direct hand in his mother's stunning return to recording after a 17-year absence. Her wryly titled Fashionably Late, in fact, is a record that's nearly as much Teddy Thompson's as it is hers. In addition to assisting with production and playing throughout the record, Teddy co-wrote more than half of its songs. And Linda even included a dead-on rendition of his achingly poignant ballad, "All I See."

Last summer he went on the road with Linda and his sister, Kamila, to launch the record.

"I've never been in a situation where so much was expected of me," he recalls. "I was sort of the musical director -- I had to pull things together for each show. And my mum, well, she's wonderful, but it was difficult for her because she has a bit of stage fright and hadn't done it in such a long time."

Linda Thompson, for her part, has not only credited Teddy with drawing her out of her long musical retirement, but also for making it possible for her to go on the road at all. ("When I get scared I can look over and see him standing there," she said in an interview last summer. "It's made everything so much easier.")

The bond between mother and son is unmistakably strong: Astute listeners to Teddy's album quickly picked up that "Love Her for That" was a musical valentine to Linda.

Their only real conflicts, in fact, have emerged in the past few years "when music became part of the relationship," he says.

"Right now I'm just really pleased for her," Thompson says. "For so long, she's been known as ŒRichard Thompson's wife.' It's good for her to be known for herself. She's proved a point."

As for his own solo career, well, that's not so well-defined. Despite its critical kudos, 2000's Teddy Thompson didn't meet sales quotas, resulting in an unceremonious dumping by Virgin Records.

"It was what it was," Thompson says. "I guess I should think of it as a learning experience. I'll do a lot of things differently next time."

Next time is almost here: Thompson is gearing up to go into the studio, self-produce some new songs, then shop the finished product around to labels.

"It's terrifying how business works," he says. "But if I were a record label executive, listening to my first record, I wouldn't want to put a million dollars behind it, either. But that's not to say it shouldn't get any push. For that reason alone, I need to find the right fit."

While he says he was only "partly satisfied" with his Joe Henry-produced debut, Thompson definitely did some things right, like heading off the inevitable comparisons to his dad -- who, vocally, he sounds nothing like -- by having Richard contribute some of those trademark guitar licks. Thompson also had some terrific guest artists, including Emmylou Harris and friend and fellow musical folk scion Rufus Wainwright (who also appears on Linda Thompson's album).

"I'm not sure who will be on the new one," Thompson says when asked about Mum and Dad taking part for round two. "I'm going to approach each song on its own merits and figure out what I need then."

His only real expectation, in fact, is to make a great record. "People should expect great things of themselves, myself included," Thompson says. "I guess that can be my New Year's resolution."

Teddy Thompson plays Sun., Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., $10, with Rachel Davis and Mary Lou Lord, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770.