Billy Thompson – This World
MoMojo Records – 2026
14 tracks; 64 minutes
It has been a while since we heard from Billy Thonpson (2017’s BT), partly explained by his tenure since 2022 as guitarist with zydeco star CJ Chenier. However, here we have a new recording to enjoy, recorded in seven different studios, in Virginia, New Orleans and California, with many of the tracks initially started off at Billy’s home. Not surprisingly, given the number of studios, there is a large number of musicians involved and the presence of a couple of now deceased musicians suggests that the recordings took place over quite a lengthy period of time: drummers are Lionel Batiste Jr, Doug Belote, Tony Braunagel, Eddie Christmas, Andy Kravitz and Eric Selby; bassists are David Martin Barard, David Myles Curtis, Kevin Hennessy, Hutch Hutchinson and Golder O’Neill; keys are by Dave Curtis, Mike Finnigan, Luciano Leaeas, Michael Leroy Peed and Tom Worrell; horns appear on two tracks and there are also a variety of additional percussion instruments and occasional backing vocals. Billy handles the lead vocals, plays guitar (mainly slide) and occasional bass and wrote all the songs, working with Kirsten Trump who wrote the lyrics for four and Keith Glover who collaborated on one.
The title track starts things off as Billy asks us all “what have we done to this world?” strong slide at the heart of this environmentally conscious song. “Downsizing” was originally tracked in 1998 but is re-worked here with more of Billy’s excellent slide work and some horns discreetly beefing up the tune. “Like Rain” is the song co-written with Keith Glover, a playwright with whom Billy has collaborated on a number of musical theater pieces; it’s a slower tune tracked in NO, so the presence of Kirk Joseph’s sousaphone at the bottom of the mix is understandable as Billy plays acoustic guitar on this one. “Monkey Back Guarantee” is an attractive slide-driven rocker, the intriguing title a play on words with the phrase “a monkey on my back”, while “For True” is one of the highlights here, a funky background, catchy chorus and Billy’s slide giving the track a Little Feat feel, the lyrics bemoaning that Billy may “never find a love for true”.
The other nine tracks all started out as home recordings though the finished productions lack nothing. “Melia” races along courtesy of Doug Belote’s drums and Michael Skinhus’ congas which certainly get your feet moving, another strong track. “Every Single Rider” adds a touch of country, Billy’s slide sounding like a pedal steel and “Thankful” is an appropriately joyous tune. Two tracks have strange titles: “Batman And Robin” is a wistful acoustic ballad whilst “Dinosaur Eggs” adds bass, drums and congas to Billy’s guitar, vocal and harmonica, all recorded at home.
Four songs were written by Billy and Kirsten Trump. “Old Blue” was recorded with Phantom Blues Band members Tony Braunagel and the late Mike Finnigan; it’s arguably the closest to a straight blues here, lyrically referencing a pet dog that is “better watered and better fed – she loves that dog more than me”! Billy rocks out a little on the powerful message song “Truth Come To Power” while “Hope, Peace And Joy” has celebratory lyrics given a full treatment with a large choir and “Of The Angels” is a latin-tinged number that addresses the issues of homelessness, poor immigrants and racial prejudice in a society that is divided on these issues; a fine piece of writing and playing that closes the album in fine style with its chorus “we are creatures of the angels”.
Good to have Billy back with a thoughtful and attractively played album which should have wide appeal.
