Barbara Thompson (1944—2022)

If I had some hesitation about who would occupy the drummer’s or, say, guitarist’s chair in my imaginary all-female jazz-rock supergroup — consisting exclusively of the greatest musicians I ever had the privilege to see live — no such doubt existed for the saxophonist. It simply had to be Barbara Thompson. Now that she passed away, there is no chance to see that band.

I first learned about Barbara Thompson in 1995, from The Penguin Guide to Jazz; I borrowed that book from the Leeds Central Library which also had a few of her CDs. I think the first album I listened to was a compilation CD Barbara Thompson’s Special Edition. One of the songs there, Little Annie-Ooh, remains my favourite Thompson’s composition.

Little Annie-Ooh Colin Dudman: piano Dill Katz: bass Pete Hartley: violin Jon Hiseman: drums Barbara Thompson: soprano sax

Later that year, Tamara and I went to Bradford to see Barbara Thompson & Paraphernalia. The first part of the concert Thompson played together with some kids’ big band which was touching if not exactly mind-blowing; the Paraphernalia part truly was.

Here’s my top five Barbara Thompson’s albums. Mind you, I still have not heard most of her work.

1. Pure Fantasy (1984) by Barbara Thompson & Paraphernalia. Several songs from this album are present on Special Edition, including Listen to the Plants.

   

2. Songs from the Center of the Earth (1990): Thompson unaccompanied, recorded at Abbey du Thoronet in Var, Provence, France.

   

3. Plains Music (1991) by Manfred Mann’s Plains Music, featuring Thompson on saxophones.

   

4. Shifting Sands (1998) by Barbara Thompson & Paraphernalia.

   

5. Thompson’s Tangos and Other Soft Dances (2000) by Barbara Thompson & Paraphernalia.