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Category: CD's
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  Title: ROBBIN THOMPSON: Just a Blur in the Rearview  | views:2998 |  ROBBIN THOMPSON: Just a Blur in the Rearview
Lookin' Back and Rockin' Forward . . .
Robbin Thompson has been in the music business a long time. From his Psychedelic garage band The Tasmanians in the mid-'60s, to hitting the road with Steel Mill and Bruce Springsteen in the early '70s, to a solid solo career, to the Robbin Thompson Band in the '80s, and beyond . . . it's been an interesting ride, to say the least. And at 57, that ride is starting to seem like a blur in the rearview to Robbin . . . but that's natural when your daughters are getting married all of a sudden. WTF? That's life, ya know.
Lots of people in the Southeast remember Robbin from the RTB days and their TWO B's PLEASE album, and the national chart hit "Brite Eyes" . . . and of course, "Sweet Virginia Breeze." But new music has never stopped flowing from one of Richmond's favorite sons. When he's not writing and singing for national commercials and films (or out sailing on the Chesapeake), Robbin finds time to crank out a new solo release every few years . . . and the stuff just keeps getting better and better. The years of composing for advertising have never sapped Robbin's creativity, when it comes to his own solo material.
His new album, JUST A BLUR IN THE REARVIEW, delivers the goods once again. Ten tracks with Robbin's signature blend of rock, blues, and country grooves . . . Americana. The music is at times introspective. The title track gives us all something to think about: "Life goes by while you're busy makin' plans" . . . and a strong messge of hope comes with the beautiful ballad "Water from the Moon."
As usual, there are a number of interetsing guest artists. The title track was written with Phil Vassar. On "Where You've Never Been," Robbin rips a smoking groove on an exotic axe called the zhong ruan (a result of his playing in China in 2002), with bluesy backing vocals by Ellen McIlwaine. "I Won't Quit" was written and played with Butch Taylor and Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band, and the song was featured in the movie "The Fighting Temptations," starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. Old friend Steve Basset (of "Sweet Virginia Breeze" fame) also makes an appearance on organ and backing vocals. Robbin's father was a rocket scientist who made guitars (dig that) . . . and Robbin strums and picks those keepsakes on this album.
Robbin Thompson is an artist who can truthfully say his best work isn't lost in the rearview somewhere, back in the '70s or '80s. He's making it right now. His powerful voice and guitar playing are stronger than ever. These days, when you see Robbin in concert, it's just one man and one guitar . . . and it'll blow your mind. There are 26 musicians and guest artists on the new album . . . but in concert, Robbin will strip this stuff down and wail on it. You can write about it, but you have to see it (and hear it) to truly appreciate the experience.
And for those who can't . . . or haven't seen any of Robbin's recent shows, you can get an idea of what they're like by listening to LIVE IN STUDIO A (released last year). One man, one guitar (and even a zhong ruan) . . . and a crowd of 80 people. Check it out. The astonishing blues version of the Beatles' "You Can't Do That" alone is worth the price of the disc.
In the Raleigh area, Robbin has played a number of gigs at the Six String Cafe in Cary. He maintains a strong fan base, and is a safe bet for any venue.
Mark A. Moore
March 24, 2007 |
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| Review submitted: 2007/3/24
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