Paul Thorn Should Be Pricking Everybody!

       

Paul Thorn should be known by the entire United States, but I don't think he is.  My brother, Steve, introduced me to his music and I am darn happy that he did.  I immediately added this to the list of reasons why I love my brother.  Paul's musical styles bounce around quite a bit.  I know he is a member of that Singer/Songwriter category and he also does well in that wide-ranging Americana genre that the rootsy hipsters enjoy nowadays.  He throws in some Blues, Rock, and Gospel as well.  I have never been part of a Revival, but I think his shows have a piece of that in them as well.  He might play a bit of Swamp Rock too, as I was pretty swampy at the end of this show.  That may have been caused by the high temperature inside however.

                    
Mr. Thorn has a great way of connecting to his audience through his songs and storytelling.  He speaks and acts in a genuine and heartfelt manner.  He also makes sure to go throughout the crowd, hugging folks and posing for pictures and such during the show.  After the show, he is always available for autographs and photos as well.  I have included a picture of Paul with my super cool niece, Heather.

    Paul returned to the Bull Run in Shirley, MA earlier in the month, after a successful appearance there last year.  He even remembered meeting my niece from his last visit.  To give you an example of how he connects with his audience, he noticed my young niece standing up in the crowd and said "I see some people brought their children with them.  That's good because some of my fans are dying off and we need to replace them!" Paul got a good laugh from the audience for that one and provided a special memory for my family.
   
The audience received a little Paul Thorn bonus on this night, as the scheduled opening act did not appear.  Paul did an acoustic set  to get the night rolling.   This provided me with a great opportunity to focus on his lyrics and not be distracted by how talented his band is when they are plugged in and rocking out.  Bill Hinds is one bad man on the guitar.  Michael Graham AKA Dr. Love, is a dynamo on keyboards.  He can Boogie Woogie, Barrelhouse, or Chopstick the hell out of those keys!  The bass player has similar hair to the late Robin Williams, which provided me with an odd feeling of reassurance and sadness.

     I almost forgot to mention that there was a special guest appearance by Al Kooper.  He joined Paul for a song during the acoustic set.  Al Kooper is not to be confused with Alice Cooper, with the snakes and "School's Out" fame.  This Al Kooper was one of the original members of Blood, Sweat, and Tears. He also discovered a band named Lynyrd Skynyrd.  He has done a bunch of other things too.  Google him.  Learn something.  Someday I won't be around to teach you all of this.

     Another interesting tidbit about Mr. Thorn is that he was a professional boxer from 1985 to 1988.  In fact, he fought Roberto Duran in 1988 (yes, that Roberto Duran) in Atlantic City.  Duran's record was 82-7 at the time and Thorn's was 9-1-1.   Paul lost in the 6th round due to a cut that couldn't be closed.  It is an experience he speaks fondly of.  I included some of the fight here.

 

 If all of this doesn't make you want to check him out, then I don't know what will. His recorded music is excellent as well.  Buy a CD or download whatever people download on their mysterious gadgets.  These guys have developed quite a following and I think tickets will go fast next time they come around.  Don't miss out!

 

Chris Isaak - More Than Just A Wicked Game

 

 Chris Isaak made his annual visit to the Club Casino in Hampton Beach, NH a couple of Fridays ago.

Lori & I from Chris Isaak 2012

 I have lost track of how many times I have seen him in concert.  I know this was my fourth time with Lori, my other Chris Isaak fanatic and great friend.

The first time that I saw him was performing outside of a radio station in Portland, Maine when his giant hit "Wicked Game" first hit the airwaves.  I am fairly certain he still plays the same guitar that he was playing that afternoon.  Lots of people only know him from his song "Wicked Game," which was a national Top 10 hit back in 1991.  It also had one of the greatest videos of all-time featuring model Helena Christensen and filmed in black and white on a beach.  Needless to say that video will be included here in this blog and will easily be the best part of this entry.


 

 I think some people think a Chris Isaak show would be filled with lots of love songs and old women throwing underwear at the stage.  And they would be right.  Just kidding, there are a few love songs and limited underwear being thrown.  Chris is a fabulous showman and entertains throughout the night.

A few things you can expect to enjoy at most of his shows are:
 
     1. A song sung while walking throughout the audience giving hugs and posing for pictures with his loving fans. (all of the Reserved Seating was sold out for this show and most of the General Admission area was filled too)
 
     2. He will make you laugh loudly with his between song banter
 
     3. He and the band will throw in a little acoustic break in the middle of the show and sit in a circle and zip through some great songs. This part looks like the band is immensely enjoying themselves.
   
     4. Chris will wear some outlandish suits! I believe his mother used to make his suits. I am not sure if that is still the case, but let's assume it is.

His last cd was released in 2011 and was entitled "Beyond the Sun." This disc was a tribute to the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.  Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbision, all recorded there when they were first starting out.  Their songs, as well as many other famous artists are covered here by Chris on this superb 2-cd set.  I had the good fortune to be able to visit Sun Studios.  It isn't in the nicest part of Memphis and the day I was there, the historical marker that should have been out front, was in the lobby because someone tried to pull it out of the ground the night before with a truck and chains.  The tour of the place was perfect for me. You walk in the studio and then never move from there!  The studio has been kept in its original condition with the same ceiling tiles and floor that you see in all of the famous early pictures of the artists that recorded there.  The tour folks tell you stories about the artists and the recording sessions and play you samples of the music.  It is one of the coolest musical places that I have ever been in.

     So back to Chris Isaak, he is a whole lot more than a "One Hit Wonder" and you should get out and see him.  You will not regret it!