We know blues master Bobby Thompson well from many DC area bands, from Blueheart Revival, Mud Rey, Revelator Hill and his own Bobby Thompson Project. For his newly released EP called The Acoustic Sessions, the frequent collaborator decided to present new songs in stripped-down solo fashion to highlight the masterful songwriting and assured performance.
The intent of this EP was to present the music in the most raw form, written on the acoustic guitar and acoustic lap, and kept simple from the start. The three songs kicking off the EP serve as previews of full-band versions expected on a new solo album in 2019. All three songs, ‘On The Ground’, ‘My Everything’, and ‘Hard to Come Back’, are presented here in the shape and form they were written in: acoustic and straight-from-the-heart.
After recording these songs, Thompson shot brand new videos of the songs for a series he’s calling “The Acoustic Barn Sessions”, and Hometown Sounds is honored to premiere the first video from it, “On The Ground”.
HTS: You work with a lot of different collaborators, what’s the motivation behind doing these tracks acoustic and solo?
Thompson: I’ve been wanting to release an acoustic-based album for some time now, and this is the start to that. There is something raw and beautiful about a song in its most pure form, and it’s my first real release as a singer-songwriter. Up until now, I’ve mostly released albums with songs written as a band, or with a full-band arrangement in mind.
Where is the barn at walnut grove and what brought you there to record those songs live?
Sandi Redman, a well-known local DC-area videographer and super-fan, suggested we film at this barn in Leesburg, Virginia, which is on private property. I wanted to share visuals of the songs, and this barn was a perfect setting on a Sunday afternoon. I hope people enjoy watching this video series, and I’m thankful to Hometown Sounds for premiering the first one.
Any upcoming shows to plug?
Yes. This Friday October 19 I’ll be playing solo acoustic at the Lake Anne Coffeehouse and Wine Bar in Reston, Virginia at 6pm. Next weekend, I’m on the road to New York City and Boston, with a live-to-vinyl session in Brooklyn for Leesta Vall Sound Recordings. You can visit my facebook page for more details on how to option a rare live version of songs from ‘The Acoustic Sessions’ on vinyl. I’ll also be playing Thursday, October 25 at Rockwood Music Hall Stage One at 6pm in Manhattan.