CD’s & DOWNLOADS
REVIEWS BY MICHAEL BUFFALO SMITH
There just aren’t many artists I love more than Paul Thorn. I mean, the first time I ever saw him was in Greenville, SC at The Handlebar club. It was just him and a gui-
tar, and it changed my life. I started obtaining all the albums he had recorded from Hammer and Nail to Ain’t Love Strange, and now have every single album he has recorded – DVD’s as well. I have seen him live many times and even had the pleasure of singing some gospel music with him down in Rome, Georgia. When I heard he had a new album coming, I was grinning like a possum. When Too Blessed to Be Stressed (Perpetual Obscurity) arrived in the ol’ mail receptacle yesterday, I was even more thrilled. This may be Paul’s most positive album yet, and that’s saying a lot! From the opening strains of “Every- thing’s Gonna Be Alright” to the funky great title track, “Too Blessed to Stress,” to “Don’t Let Nobody Rob You of Your Joy.” There’s plenty of Paul’s faith sprinkled throughout the album, like the upbeat “I Backslide On Friday” and the gospel (think “Mission Tem- ple Fireworks Stand”) rave up of “Get Your- self a Healin’.” One outstanding tune is “Old Stray Dogs & Jesus,” focusing on a character who has lost everything to addiction, espe- cially all his friends, and has made his way into recovery. “This is a Real Goodbye” puts a
little finality on a breakup, and “Mediocrity is King” features one of my favorite (and true) lines on the album, “Republicans and Democ- rats are breaking my heart/I can’t tell them sons of bitches apart.” “What Kind of Roof Do You Live Under” is another song with a somewhat gospel feel. By the way, Paul has some mighty fine background singers. Closing the set is the ultimate love song, “No Place I’d Rather Be.” I’m not sure it was written about Paul’s own life, but I’d like to think it was. The song is a real testament to his happy fam- ily life, right there with the little house and the big shade tree. I remember when I was out playing music a lot, and the feeling of home was such a joy. It grounded me. Per- haps it does Thorn as well. All I can say is, if you are already a follower of Brother Thorn, you will want this eleven-song disc in your collection. If you are not familiar with his work, this is as good a time as in to dive in. Just know up front, there is no turning back. You will be a fan for life, I guarantee. Too Blessed to Be Stressed is a winner…I kept hearing through the ol’ grapevine that the new album from Billy Joe Shaver is the best one he’s ever done. While I pondered that possibility, I thought to myself about all of the really great records Shaver has recorded through the years, not the least of which is Old Five and Dimers Like Me. Even still, I put the new album on, and something truly magical came rolling out of my speakers from somewhere in Texas. Long in the Tooth (Lightning Rod Records), Shavers first album in six years very well may be his best one yet. This record really did have me at “hello.” The first song, a duet with fellow Texas icon Willie Nelson, comes out sounding like a mid-tempo classic from a 1970’s Marshall Tucker Band
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