PAUL THORN

A LONG WAY FROM TUPELO

2008-02-27

Listening to a Paul Thorn disc is always a well rewarded adventure. Ignoring the straight folks who don’t add much to the discussion, Thorn focuses his efforts on the quirky characters that are the spice of life. In his world, you wonder why your neighbor gets nailed by a car while you’re on your porch sipping sweet tea, "I’m Still Here", and homecoming queens don’t go on to fame and fortune but, instead, end up stranded in dead end relationships and have to find fulfillment through extra-curricular activities, "Lucky 7 Ranch". In the meantime, flat tires don’t end with a call to AAA but instead lead to temptation with the farmer’s daughter and a story for the wife, "Long Way From Tupelo". When he’s not exploring quirky characters or odd situations he becomes reflective and notes he would give it all up for "A Woman to Love". He also takes a soft jab at religion noting that even though everyone’s reading from the same book, it takes their lives in drastically different directions, "All About People". Just to make sure he isn’t in trouble for some of his salacious thoughts such as on the saucy "Starvin’ For Your Kisses", Thorn dips deep into a gospel groove for a number that would fit neatly on a Blind Boys of Alabama disc, "What Have You Done to Lift Somebody Up?" Fueled by rock, blues, gospel and R & B, the 12 cuts collected here are a delight from start to finish. Smitty

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 01/2012

    SHANNON WHITWORTH & BARRETT SMITH
    Bring It On Home

  • reviewed 01/2011

    THE FAINTING GENERALS
    Employee Of The Month For Life

  • reviewed 01/2012

    RICH T. ANDERSON
    NaCl

  • reviewed 10/2008

    JOHN MAYER
    – Where the Light Is, Live in LA

  • reviewed 05/2008

    Elvis Costello & The Imposters
    Momofuku

  • reviewed 07/2014

    FRENCH STYLE FURS
    Is Exotic Bait

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.