Suzy Thompson has just released (April 6, 2026) a digital download of ten live recordings (only one of the songs was on their album) of the Blue Flame String Band which had Kate Brislin on vocals, banjo, guitar, kazoo and triangle, Alan Senauke on vocals, guitar and mandolin, Eric Thompson on guitar, mandolin and fiddle, and Suzy Thompson on vocals, fiddle and guitar. These recordings include a mix of old time, Cajun, blues, jug band, and bluegrass. They are available on Bandcamp. All the members of the band are/were (Alan died in 2024) friends of mine, and I remember seeing them live back in the day. Suzy says that a second volume will be released later

The first cut, “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds” was recorded at The Idler in Cambridge, Massachusetts in April 1982. (You can see all the recording dates and locations on Bandcamp.) The original recording was a duet between Melba Montgomery and George Jones in 1963. This one features Kate and Alan. Suzy sings “Me and My Chauffeur” which comes from Memphis Minnie. Next is “Beaumont Rag,” which I just heard Allegra Thompson (daughter of Suzy and Eric) play on the radio. Allegra described it as a flat-picking guitar “battle” between Eric and Alan. The original recording was by Cleburne, Texas, fiddler Samuel Morgan Peacock in 1928, the leader of Smith’s Garage Fiddle Band, but Eric’s introduction mentions Bob Wills. Many guitarists have covered this tune, including Doc Watson. After that, they go to a cajun waltz, “Valse de Bayou Teche.” I hear Suzy fiddling with Kate singing lead. The original recording was by Nathan Abshire, whom I think composed it. “Beautiful Bottles” appears to come from Marley’s Ghost, who called it “Them Beautiful Bottles.” Alan sings lead. “La Famme Qui Jouait Aux Cartes” (the woman who played cards) is another Cajun song. I’m not sure of its origin but BeauSoleil recorded it in 2004, and the Harmony Sisters released it in 1999. This recording dates to 1981. Suzy is on fiddle again and also sings lead. I can hear Kate on triangle. It sounds like Alan on harmony. “Aunt Caroline Dyer Blues” is next. Suzy sings lead with Alan on harmony again. Kate is on kazoo. It comes from the Memphis Jug Band‘s 1930 recording. There is a great mandolin break. “Crowley Waltz” comes from the Hackberry Ramblers, who recorded it on a live 1965 recording. Suzy is fiddling again. Alan sings “The Honky Tonk Song” with both Kate and Suzy on harmony. Webb Pierce recorded that in 1957. The final cut is “Some Kind of Love” sung by Suzy. The song was written by John Stewart who recorded it in 1973. Kate Wolf released it on a 1983 album.

These are four wonderful musicians in their prime, and this music is a joy to hear.

You can hear Blue Flame’s 1983 Flying Fish LP here. None of this new release is on YouTube at the time of this review.