There’s a chance the name Paul Siebel might mean nothing to you, but if you’re familiar with the works of Bonnie Raitt or Iain Matthews, you’ll be familiar with some of these songs, both being champions of his writing. Significantly underlooked in his lifetime, his studio recording career was limited to just a pair of albums: Woodsmoke and Oranges in 1970, and Jack-Knife Gypsy a year later, each on the Elektra label, itself a pointer towards the quality therein. Indeed, a quick gander at each of those records displays as stellar a supporting cast as one could want, with the likes of Davids Bromberg and Grisman, Clarence White and Buddy Emmons on hand to gild his lily.

Neither album provided the breakthrough Siebel anticipated or deserved. Time took its toll, with depression and addiction blighting his muse. Give or take a couple of abortive comebacks, he remained largely under the radar, baking bread and/or working for Maryland Parks Department, until his death at 84 in 2022. Hopefully he was able to get some slight comfort from royalty checks, primarily through “Louise,” his best-known song, with upward of 30 covers, including by Raitt, Willy DeVille and Linda Ronstadt.

Suzy Thompson may also be a name that’s new, but she has had a long career, playing often in old-time string bands, as well as collaborations with Geoff Muldaur in the Texas Sheikhs and with Cajun doyenne Ann Savoy. Playing fiddle and guitar, she is what you might call a “musician’s musician.” Well familiar with his songs, she got to meet the octogenarian Siebel following a run of tribute concerts she performed online, during lockdown. and they became friends. Now, with the assistance of fellow “musician’s musician” travellers, like Cindy Cashdollar, Jody Stecher and her husband Eric, drawing in also the lesser-spotted presence of John B. Sebastian, she has delivered Suzy Sings Siebel, Vol. 1.
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