Press Quots RANDY THOMPSON & “That’s Not Me”
DEBUTED AT #1 ON EURO INDIE RADIO CHART
COUNTRY MUSIC ROUNDUP - Album of the Month. “One of the very best albums by a young country artist to come my way in quite a while”
AUDIO GRID. COM -“An uncanny realism in his songs, lyrics, and musical phrasing. Perfectly graveled almost but not quite country voice….Radio airplay written all over it…..DJs take notice…A must have CD”
NASHVILLE CITY PAPER – “Thompson's writing has an honesty and directness that makes his compositions fresh and appealing. There's nothing artificial, pretentious or generic about Randy Thompson's music. Whether you consider it traditional country, roots or Americana, there's no question his work has a singular sensibility and quality.
VINTAGE GUITAR - “Randy captures the essence of “authentic” country music without working up a sweat. His music has swagger with substance, twang with meaning. …. You’re gonna’ love Randy Thompson. He understands what it takes to make authentic country music that’s special.”
COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE (UK) – “.. Surprisingly melodic and memorable hooks…impressive record.”
COUNTRY ABOUT.COM - “Randy presents his music without excuses, he simply sings his songs. He's worthy to try on the boots of Ol' Hoss himself. Randy doesn't sound LIKE Waylon Jennings. But there is a similarity… a lonesome growl in the low tenor voice, a cry in the Telecaster, a plaintive quality to the lyrics and a country-blues beat that just feels like Waylon.”
EXPRESSEN (Sweden) - "In times when country music more and more has become a mainstream product, without any contact what so ever with the tradition that spawned it, this album is an extremely fresh breath of air. Nashville's male pin ups, and Thompson truly looks like something for the ladies, very seldom has this much pure country dirt under their nails."
TRUE WEST MAGAZINE - “This Virginia native writes traditional-country, honky-tonk songs that are wholly original and fresh, yet seem to invoke sounds of yesteryear. I cannot help but feel a favorable comparison with classic Gordon Lightfoot in the heartfelt lyrics and character of the songs, as the foot-stomping tunes give way to a soul softly laid bare.”
CMT - “Pulsating, cut-to-the-chase tales of love, regret and moving on, delivered with grit, swagger and a touch of class.
RICKS COUNTRY REVIEW- **** 1/2 stars - “Honesty and truth that seem to etch themselves in the memory banks of the listener. A great new CD that will keep you listening….will easily fit in the Americana play lists, and could easily be played on any country radio format..”
ISA RADIO FRANCE (Mike Penna)- “Usually when I listen to a good new CD, I have to find songs suitable to be broadcast.. The problem is totally different with him. I have to find the ones that I will not broadcast.. I really fell under the charm of his music.” ROOTS REVIVAL -“A very good mix of country, Americana, and alt.-country. Body and soul songwriting… Brilliant portrayals of loss, hope and acceptance.”
ABOUT COUNTRY MUSIC- **** stars - “Randy Thompson is a new artist that is a stand out.. This disc is powerful straight through”
CENTREVIEW NEWSPAPER-“Unflinchingly honest and touching”
WASHINGTON POST – “It’s not hard to connect the dots between Randy’s unvarnished brand of country music and those who cast the die (Hank & Lefty)…He’s still a believer. ‘That’s Not Me’.... rings twangy and true.
ROOTSTOWN MAGAZINE (Belgium) – “The influences shine through his songs, but he’s definitely got his own style…an album that grows on you.”
COUNTRY REVIEW.COM- Laid-bare honesty, caught in lyrics that scout the heart and skirt the boundaries. Thompson has quickly claimed me as a fan. And he did it easily, all with a style nestled somewhere between edgy outlaw and gritty Americana. He is a man moving forward with a story to tell…There is not one dud in the deck.
TEXAS MUSIC KITCHEN- ‘What a nice surprise. I find its Waylon-esque style perfect for the blue highway, that is the CD player of my car.”
MUCIC ROW MAGAZINE- “A Strong, True Singer Randy Thompson That’s Not Me JACKPOT
Randy Thompson writes songs of visceral intensity and emotional force that seem ripped from the heart even as they reflect the craft of intellect. And given the recurrence on his latest release of themes of love going and gone, of despair and coming to terms with the aftermath, it comes as no surprise to discover that he wrote most of its songs in the wake of a marriage coming to an end. He weds his words to a fiercely powerful singing voice and to music that combines the propulsive boom-chick beat and chiming guitars of the late, great Waylon Jennings with a kind of loud folk. Thompson may be one of a thousand singer-songwriters plying their wares these days, but That’s Not Me is the kind of record that should serve to cut him out from the herd.
By Stuart Munro
Harp Mag. First printed in Apr/May 2004
That's Not Me - Randy Thompson
ABOUT Guide Rating - 4 Stars (out of 5)
Pros -- Sound of the Rain Dance Until Daw Unknown Zone
Cons --None.
The Bottom Line - Terrific new voice.
Description• Solid songwriting, strong vocalist.• Eight solid original tracks.• Excellent debut disc.
Guide Review - That's Not Me - Randy Thompson
One of the real perks of being a reviewer is getting to hear new artists. Randy Thompson is a new artist that is a stand out.
The crippling losses which country music has suffered since the turn of the century have resulted in the diminishment of the genre, as so few are coming forward to fill their shoes. Recently, we've heard from Josh Turner, who has been compared to young Johnny Cash. Now here's Randy Thompson, and I have to say, he's worthy to try on the boots of Ol' Hoss himself.
Randy doesn't sound LIKE Waylon Jennings. But there is a similarity, something that struck me as I listened to this disc. There's a lonesome growl in the low tenor voice, a cry in the Telecaster, a plaintive quality to the lyrics and a country-blues beat that just feels like Waylon. Randy Thompson presents his music without excuses he simply sings his songs.
Leading off with a short Steve Young composition, "The Whole World," this debut disc is powerful straight through. Thompson's no-nonsense vocals are accompanied by a strong backup band and light-handed production, which, although done by several people in several different places, seems to retain a unity of whole.
Randy Thompson makes a dandy first impression. I hope to hear a lot more from him in the years to come.
~ Kathy Coleman
Nashville City Paper February 26, 2004 Randy Thompson That's Not Me (Jackpot/Leaps)
Thompson's third solo album is easily his finest, as the Virginia singer/songwriter delivers incisive, crackling leads on several compelling songs. A former associate and friend of the great country blues artist John Jackson, Thompson's writing has an honesty and directness that makes his compositions fresh and appealing, particularly such numbers as "Sound Of the Rain" or "If Love Is What I Want." There's nothing artificial, pretentious or generic about Randy Thompson's music. Whether you consider it traditional country, roots or Americana, there's no question his work has a singular sensibility and quality. --Ron Wynn
New Music Reviews - 2/2/04
If country flavored rock is your cup of tea, you will especially enjoy Randy Thompson's new release, "that's not me". Randy's songwriting and musicianship are exciting, clever and fun to listen to. Let me know if you enjoy it as much as I have and am.
Randy Thompson "that's not me"
Singer Songwriter Randy Thompson writes his material with a unique outlook. Rather than using a formula or crafting a song around a concept, Randy writes his songs as a musical diary of that he is thinking through. This adds an uncanny realism to his songs, lyrics and the song's musical phrasing. He cites his influences as Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Joe Ely, and Steve Young. Also mentioned is friend and musical mentor, John Jackson, who was a well-recognized blues singer and guitarist in the Washington, DC area. As a youngster he played with and learned from John.
Randy's newest disc [his third release] is a unique collection of songs ranging from rock influenced to folk and country. He has called upon some well-heeled sidemen who contributed to this body of work by dialing in exactly on Randy's accompaniment needs without ever getting in the way of the tunes. Randy provides vocals, harmony, acoustic and electric guitars. Garrick Alden plays guitar, bass, mandolin, and drum tracks. Rick West adds guitar, bass, piano, drum tracks, and mandolin. Pete Kennedy plays guitar, bongos, snare and mandolin. Rickie Simpkins adds fiddle. Mike Aldridge plays the steel guitar. Maura Kennedy sings harmony vocals and Andy Hamburger plays a track of drums.
The opening song "The Whole World" suggests that the whole world shares in each of emotions he experiences. It is short and to the point. It is laced with fuzz bass creating a deep backdrop for the acoustic guitar riding on top.
"Sound Of The Rain" is a march-beat rocker with great sounding guitars ranging from acoustic twang to driving electric power chords and counter beat rhythm. Randy's lyrics punctuate the musical backdrop with his perfectly graveled almost but not quite country voice. Garrick plays a spirited guitar solo. This song has radio airplay written all over it! DJ's take notice!
The emotionless converse of the lyrics in "That's Not Me" creates a feeling that everyone has experienced at some point in life. The guitar, piano, mandolin, bass, harmony, bass, drums and vocals comprise a precise machine of sound. Each is an exact participant in the structure of the song likened to where they are each an individual string on a perfectly strummed guitar. I especially enjoyed this tune from the perspective of a musician.
Randy calls out, "Hey baby, when I need you and you're not ever there" to kick off the tune "The Loving Shown". This is nice country rocker that rolls along with guitars and mandolin driving the rhythm. The mandolin provides a nice bluegrass twist to the tune. Garrick provides some great turnarounds on the guitar reminiscent of fills I have enjoyed by both Lindsey Buckingham and Roger McGuinn.
"Dance Until Dawn” is a country rocker. It features Randy playing a tasty lead guitar solo as well as singing great lyrics. Garrick Alden provides great mandolin accents throughout. The slower and wistful "If Love Is What You Want" is a beautiful love song. It is accented by Mike Aldrige's steel guitar, the finger picked nylon string guitar work by Rick West and the fiddle accents by Rickie Simpkins.
"Unknown Zone" warns the listener to be careful to not go alone at night to Junction Town in the deep woods of Virginia where the phantom Calvary of Mosby and his band are riding hard into the wind. Guitar chords burst into beat--this sturdy rocker features some great guitar work and a solid bass part.
“If That Wasn't Love" plays out a break-up between lovers. They both are trying to justify their parting in the words of the song. This listener friendly country rocker features clever turn-a- round's on guitar and steel along with brilliant interplay on solos.
The sad "Only One Way" is a slow country rocker about a head-hanging walk away from love. The solo leads by Garrick are highly effective to the song. Tremolo laden chunky guitar fills the center of the song--nice!
Randy's new work is a must-have CD for any country rock fan and it crosses over far enough to please many rock listeners. Many of the artists who performed also help produce the CD. Their careful mixes add to the tasty result in the released music. Randy's web site is at www.randythompson.net and you can hear some samples of the new CD as well as read more about this terrific performer. You can order your own copy on his site as well as copies of previous work. Listen and enjoy!
~ Steve Ekblad - Audiogrid.com
TEXAS MUSIC KITCHEN News
THAT'S NOT ME by Randy Thompson hits the streets on Feb 10th! It showed up in my mailbox around New Year's day, and what a nice surprise it turned out to be! I've been playing it off and on since then and find its Waylon-esque honky-tonk style perfect for the blue highway, that is to say the CD player in my car. "Dance Until Dawn" is a real toe-tapper, and maybe my favorite track so far, but it's hard to pick just one. The album has nine songs, and as a whole strikes me as consistently solid, nicely paced, and beautifully but not over produced. Thompson wrote or co- wrote all the songs, except for "The Whole World," written by Steve Young. As someone at No Depression observed, Thompson shows a real knack for a good line.Click here to find two complete sample tracks: "Sound of the Rain” and “That’s Not Me”.
RIKKS REVUES January 16, 2004
As an impressionable youth, Randy Thompson got the privilege of hearing John Jackson play slide guitar with a butter knife in his classroom. Musically, Randy Thompson lists some greats among his influences including Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Joe Ely, and Steve Young. The influences show in his musical playing, his songwriting, and his overall approach to his craft. Laying honesty and truth in often dark lyrics that seem to etch themselves in the memory banks of the listener.
Writing 6 tunes, co-writing 2 more, and adding a brief version of Steve Young's "The Whole World". While diving completely into this CD you can hear some of the influences, but also a uniqueness that drives That's Not Me into the country mainstream. Absorbing the music you can hear Steve Earle's melodrama with a gentle voice that overcomes the lowered spirit. Not an incredibly upbeat collection lyrically, although the musical tempo rides well through each track, just when you are feeling a bit down he picks you back up again. 9 tracks that is sure to garner some awareness to the talented singer-songwriter that weaves some wonderful storytelling in the mix. At times a driving production that had me sensing the outlaw country, while he can also sooth the beast within with Don Williams like ease. A great new CD that will keep you listening by the sheer familiarity of the tracks that could very easily fit in the Americana play lists as well as conventional radio.
Getting a glimpse into the heart and soul of Randy Thompson through his words and music, you almost feel as though you’re listening in on private conversations between friends at the local bar. On That's Not Me, Randy Thompson bears his soul for the world. "Sound of the Rain", "If Love Is What You Want", and "Only One Way" shine brightly through with melodies, vocals and depth, and could easily be played on any country radio format.
Rick Matheson True West Magazine May 2004
CDs for the Bunkhouse
This Virginia native writes traditional-country, honky-tonk songs that are wholly original and fresh, yet seem to invoke sounds of yesteryear. His self-professed influences of Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, include Steve Young whose "The Whole World" is the only cover on the CD. I cannot help but feel a favorable comparison with classic Gordon Lightfoot in the heartfelt lyrics and character of the songs, as the foot-stomping dance tunes give way to a soul softly laid bare.
Bill Groll
European Booking: