Opening with a full big harmony chorus refrain to “Million $ Wonder Hit,” this acoustic mover is one of 12 tightly woven little ditties that make up Chris Thompson’s 2014 release, Toys & Dishes. Recording and touring with Manfred Mann’s Earth Band from 1974 to 1999, you’ll recognize Thompson’s distinctive voice from the hit cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Blinded by the Light.” Thompson continued success with The Earth Band, as well as working with such notables as Elton John, Tina Turner, and Alan Parsons. Thompson has also written songs for The Doobie Brothers, Roger Daltrey, Bonnie Tyler, Isaac Hayes, Jan Hammer, Heart and John Farnham. Here, the man is in fine vocal form and showing off his songwriting chops to the fore.
I dig the bass and 80s dark vibe of “Millie Christine” as much as the piano, guitar and drums on “Dark Side Interlude” instrumental, into the desperate (and again 80’s sounding) of power ballad “Dark Side.” “Hey You” gets all growly with Arno Krabman’s bass and single snare sparseness in the verses, then the staccato run of the bridge into an almost punk chorus. We get Thompson’s vocal fronting his acoustic on the delicate love song “Dream Away little Girl,” another tune with some very fine harmony vocals. A stomping acoustic and hand-clapping on the countrified “You’re The One I Love” finds Thompson wailing on harmonica.
We’re in Dire Straits guitar strutting on “Talk to me.” Gunnar Bjelland’s organ is sly and subtle, and Thompson really gets his first chance to show off some precise guitar playing. The acoustic, country sound of “Woe is Me” is gospel actually. Thompson’s backing vocalists really step up, so we get the full breath of harmonies woven into the bare musical accompaniment of just bass, acoustic guitar and drums, making this my most favorite song on a CD replete with very competent takes of song styles that run the gambit. Toys & Dishes is a fine example of Thompson’s still equally fine voice, guitar playing and songwriting prowess.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
