Posted by Pete Smith on January 26, 2008, 1:49 pm
81.132.17.23
"The Advertiser" (UK) 1 February 2008
Once in a very long time comes along an album that has strong cross generation appeal. That time came to my household recently in the form of “Further On” (Jackpot) by Randy Thompson. On first listen I was absolutely sold, my daughter (3 decades younger) was knocked out and my nine-year old granddaughter, forgetting her beloved Leona Lewis, was begging for more. You know, it is great when three generations totally agree so I have more to thank Mr. Thompson for than just his great music. Randy became, and remains, obsessed with Hank Williams at a very early age and that gave him his ambition to succeed in the music business. Later in life he became good friends with that wonderful singer/writer (“Seven Bridges Road”, etc) Steve Young and Thompson admits, unashamedly, to being heavily influenced by his friend. So if take Randy’s natural musical talents, add to them the traditional influences of Jimmie Rodgers, stir in the early modern creativity of Hank Sr and top with the contemporary styling of Steve Young we have “Further On” probably the most exciting and satisfying album to come my way in a long time. Randy could not have created this on his own so he called on the talents of the amazing Rickie Simpkins (his fiddle work is the best I have heard in years!), the original Hank Williams steel player Don Helms, Garrick Alden provides some mind blowing guitar (and neat banjo) whilst Randy’s young son Colin shows a real talent for the slide guitar. The programme is a blend of stellar originals, like his friend Steve Young. Randy is a very descriptive and often poetic writer, and unique covers of older and traditional country songs. So we find Thompson’s own “Don’t You See”, “Songbird” and “Leave The Light On” alongside a rock version of “Ol’ 97” (the Smith family favourite) with fiddler Rickie Simpkins going into overdrive, the traditional “Going Down To Lynchburg Town” (love the slide), Utah Phillips “Rocksalt And Nails” and an unbelievable cut on the Bill Monroe favourite “Molly And Tenbrooks”. I think I could sit hear all day extolling the virtues of “Further On” but that would prevent me from further listening and we cannot have that can we? My thanks to publicist Martha Welch of Nashville for providing this tasty treat. www.randythompson.net
Remembering: Dock Boggs was born on 7 February 1898. He developed a unique banjo style and became very popular singing and playing old songs of Virginia. In 1927 Dock cut 24 tunes for Brunswick, including “Country Blues”, “Down South Blues” and “Mean Mistreatin’ Mama” but his deeply religious wife, regarding the banjo as the devil’s instrument, put a stop to Dock’s performing. He returned to his banjo in 1954 becoming a major star of the folk festivals, notably Newport. Albums to seek out; “Dock Boggs” (Folkways 1964)
“Legendary Dock Boggs” (Verve/Fore), “Interview Volumes 1+2” with Mike Seeger (Folkways)
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
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