One of the best things about reviewing new music is getting to hear new artists.  Of course, sometimes it's a grab bag, but every so often something comes through that really stands out, and Randy Thompson is one of those standouts. 

A short time ago I was listening to ol' George Jones singing "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?" and it made me wonder that very thing.  Country music has suffered some serious, crippling losses since the turn of the century, which have resulted in the diminishment of the entire genre, with so very few coming forward who are able to fill those shoes.  Recently, we've heard from young Josh Turner, who has been compared favorably with a young Johnny Cash __ and now here's Randy Thompson, and I gotta say, he's at least worthy to try on the boots of Ol' Hoss himself.

Randy doesn't sound LIKE Waylon Jennings.  He has his own unique sound.  But there's certainly a similarity, something which struck me again and again as I listened to this truly excellent first disc.  There's a lonesome growl in the low tenor voice, a cry in the splendidly played Telecaster, a plaintive sound in the rich lyrics and a country blues beat that just feels like the ghost of Waylon hovering around this fellow.  Randy Thompson presents his music without preamble, nor does he offer excuses, he simply sings the songs he writes.

Leading off with a short Steve Young composition, "The Whole World," this first disc is powerful straight through.  Thompson's no nonsense vocals are accompanied by a strong backup band and some elegant arrangements, with light handed production which, although largely produced by several different people in several different places, seems to retain a unity of whole.  There are only nine tracks, including the short opener, but none are wasted time.  Thompson's title track sears straight to the soul with passionate lyrics, "If you hear somebody walkin' the floor/ And nobody answers when you pound on the door/ And if you ear a bottle hit the wall/ And the phone ringin' ringin' ringin' when you call/ That's not me," which are woven together with a delicious, haunting melody.  He invokes sights and sounds and even smells of the hills of Virginia with "Unknown Zone," singing, "Now in the deep woods down, near Junction town/ If you go at night, don't go alone/ Yea, you'd better watch out, there's ghosts about/ You are entering an unknown zone."  Truly awesome work.

Randy Thompson makes a really tremendous first impression.  I really hope we hear a lot more from him in the years to come.

Standout tracks: Sound of the Rain, That's Not Me, Unknown Zone, Only One Way

Final Word: Country music needs her outlaws, now more than ever.  Randy Thompson could very easily take his place with them. 

http://www.randythompson.net

Kathy Coleman TakeCountryBack April 2004