Randy Thompson - Collected

15 tracks here. 12 songs taken from the last 3 top 40 Americana albums plus 3 new songs. This is a great overview released in Jan 2012. Collected reached 15 on the Euro-Americana chart and top 20 on the Far chart, Roots music report, and Route 66 charts. 'Collected' Reviews 2012 Randy Thompson The CD has been spinning all morning. My conclusion: "What a wonderful CD!!!! Fine lyrics, great voice, fine musicians, great arrangements, well produced !!!! 'Martin van der Laan' Country Stew Radio Show, The NEATHERLANDS the CD is killer.;I already listened to it at least 10 times in 24h !...the selection of songs is more than perfect ..it shows the incredible talent of this master of melodies...each song is a musical gem ...Randy's ability to write killing melodies reminds me John Fogerty's ...they are just a few able to do that...vocally, instrumentally it kills you...my enthusiasm is beyond words...so merci for Randy's music .It made my day believe me... Mike Penard-ISO Radio-France Randy Thompson's latest CD, no matter what style of music you like this is one CD that in my opinion should be in any music fan's collection. I can't stop playing it, the more I hear it the more I keep playing it, lol. If you like Steve Earle, Joe Ely kind of outlaw country that can rock as good as any rock'n'roller then Randy is your new man on the block as far as quality songwriting. Great vocals and musicianship goes. Chris R Jackson-Americana International-UK RANDY THOMPSON/Collected: A roots rocker that's no stranger to the road and the roadhouse, he might be a guitar slinging singer/songwriter at heart, but this distillation of his last 15 years shows he knows how to amp it up. A collection of fan favorites, don't tell me people don't know what they like because this plays like a cohesive statement as opposed to a stew pot of moments. A very direct writer that knows how to stop and appreciate Utah Phillips and Steve Gillette as well, if you want something off the beaten path that you can venture into fearlessly, this set has some shrink wrap waiting for you to crack open. Check it out. Midwest Record-Entertainment & Reviews "We love his music down under" Eddie White-Cosmic Cowboy Café 88.5-Australia "... amazing songs... always true, always powerful." Planet Country, Remo Ricaldone, Italy "This album is 100% perfect !" The Country Startpage " This is robust roots rock, delivered with heart and muscle. Thompson has distinctive and compelling voice that is tinged with experience and regret. Behind that voice these songs are delivered with a conviction and forcefullness... The sound is one that cuts through and stays in the mind.... it is well-performed music that sits left of the mainstream. Americana delivered with a rockin' punch that still has it's place today." Lonesome Highway Record of the week - Randy plays rocking country music of the highest quality. Imagine someone who combines the best qualities of Joe Ely and Steve Earle (in his original country outlaw guise) and you've pretty much got the sound that Randy Thompson makes. Really good songs with a strong propensity to tell a tale, cracking tunes and a real verve in the performance that just snatches you up and carries you along for an exhilarating ride.. Time and again there's a real drive and pace in the music that just feels like the tune's been grabbed by the scruff of the neck and the band have run with it. When Randy Thompson's voice comes in, it's just right for the music, strong and authoritative but with an emotional strength as well that's compelling. There are other bands making modern country music as satisfying as this - but there aren't many.... guaranteed to put a smile on your face. There's strength in every aspect of these songs and he has a way of making large statements with his music that gives it a larger-than-life, almost myth-making scale; personally, I can't resist a bit of that and I certainly think fans of artists like Joe Ely and Steve Earle are going to love discovering Randy Thompson. Flyinshoes Reviews-John Davy-Scotland ***½ (out of 4 stars) "every once in awhile an album comes along that more clearly defines the genre (Americana) by it's very expert example. Such an album is singer/songwriter Randy Thompson's Collected. It is a finely-etched cross pollination of the sounds that express the rural experience; the love, the pain, the hope, the fear and the sheer survivability of it all. It is a CD that those with expansive musical tastes will love. This is roadhouse music at it's best...will make you want to roll down the windows and crank up the CD player on your next road trip. The songs are full of authenticity and inspiration, with superb guitar work clearing the path for Thompson's cool, confident vocals. Parcbench-Greg Victor Randy Thompson has made it a point to paint outside of the lines musically. There's some Country, Americana, and a pinch of Roots Rock to be heard all over his latest collection. While the style varies, one constant throughout the album is his rough and lived-in voice.... has already started to make a worldwide impact.... he combines all of the musical styles that influences him.... The stunning closing track "Bring On Down The Rain," shows his grittier side to great effect. As always, Thompson outdid himself here. Music News Nashville- Chuck Dauphnin ****1/2 out of 5. "All I can say is that real authentic country-rock is alive and well and lives on in this guy's music. If there is one thing Randy Thompson and his superb band can do is rock the house down. There are some fine originals here....This is a cracking album." Country Music People Magazine-Simon Aston Whoa, this one kicks into high gear right from the opening chords! Here and in Europe, he's been noted as a 'touring powerhouse' and 'compelling performer'. No argument from me on that. Collected, though, contains a good deal more than hi-energy country folk rock, as Randy knows his way around a ballad as well. There's a bit of John Fogerty to Thompson. He has the same power, guts, straightforwardness, and roots-rock composing head while easing back on Fogerty's unique intensity. There's also some Jesse Colin Young in the folkier aspects, but with a much heavier backroads twang as well as a throatier and firmer singing voice, with the son-of-the-sod factor more a Hoyt Axton or John Prine. FAME-Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange-Mark S. Tucker " A strong roots-rocking Americana set. " Record Riot-Joe Sixpack The songs have style and more importantly, quality. The roaring rocking sound, combined with his warm voice plus the arsenal of skilled musicians. An excellent hour of listening pleasure... especially on the highway.... The momentum will hold you. Raw, honest, no nonsense album with lyrics about hard life lessons. Real Roots Café-Huub Thomassen-The Neatherlands a musician of note.... sophisticated and very listenable country and roots music. The music finds him exploring his heritage as rock and country fuse together into a unique American sound. His incisive lyrics tell stories of the land and of his experience as he sings of war, peace, love, and fears of life. Above all, the music is simple, beautiful, and always truthful. The songs are all fine examples of his picturesque, cinematic style and storytelling ability. BlogCritics.org-David Bowling "He is one of a few country singer/guitarists to avoid the pitfalls a commercial and formatted Nashville. He has a clarity of musical vision. This album is a mission accomplished." Guitarist Magazine- Roman Decoret-France 'This is the most gut kicking country album I have heard in a long, long, long time." Ernie Hopseker -Ocean Beach Radio " Songbird is one of the finest country songs ever written. It is country, but he does not hesitate on occasion (and when you are really country you can do this) to flirt with folk and americana. It's country, because he knows how to tell a story. An excellent guitarist, Randy is also an exceptional songwriter recognize