Allen Thompson's third release 
extends his songwriting skills and refines his twang-filled, amped-up folk songs. Thompson's distinct singing voice provides continuity throughout all his records, moving from his debut release
, through his more developed sophomore 
album, to 26 Years. Striking a balance between full band songs and solo arrangements on the different projects, Thompson demonstrates his understanding of his role in the production process--creating a clear vision for the purpose of each record. When he knew he'd be hitting the road solo in support of a record, he figured that the recording itself should be indicative of solo tunes, rather than having audiences expecting full band arrangements and showing up to see a guy with a guitar.
Allen Thompson Excerpt Part 1, NO MUSIC
Allen Thompson Excerpt Part 2, NO MUSIC
Allen Thompson Excerpt Part 3, NO MUSICAs a child, Allen was influenced by the smart lyrics and funky jams on Fraggle Rock
--a children's show that featured developed songwriting and brilliant presentation of serious topics in a way children and adults could palate. As he absorbed his collegiate literature courses, and poets like Toni Morrison
, or Southern storytellers like William Faulkner
, Thompson began to incorporate meaningful, referential lyrics in his own songwriting--creating songs that stand on their own merits, but are enhanced when someone recognizes the allusion. Thompson states that these themes present themselves to him when he reads, and he mulls over them until he makes them his own. (His method is very similar to that which we discussed with Boo Ray and the Mark Twain 
comment on making words our own.) By processing someone else's words through our own filters, we enhance the original and create something new, all at once.
--a children's show that featured developed songwriting and brilliant presentation of serious topics in a way children and adults could palate. As he absorbed his collegiate literature courses, and poets like Toni Morrison, or Southern storytellers like William Faulkner, Thompson began to incorporate meaningful, referential lyrics in his own songwriting--creating songs that stand on their own merits, but are enhanced when someone recognizes the allusion. Thompson states that these themes present themselves to him when he reads, and he mulls over them until he makes them his own. (His method is very similar to that which we discussed with Boo Ray and the Mark Twain comment on making words our own.) By processing someone else's words through our own filters, we enhance the original and create something new, all at once.Allen Thompson's next foray into the studio will likely be with a full band, somewhat for contrast to his last record, and somewhat to present the more mature concepts in an equally developed musical package. After a year on the road, a long break, and then another few months on the road, Thompson is ready to get these next songs firmed up in the studio and out for people to enjoy. He is another red-headed writer of real music, with many great songs to share.
1 comment:
Allen is a very talented young man. We just recently had the good fortune to hear one of his CD's and believe he will go a long way in the music industry.
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