Review: Paul Thorn

In an era in which artificially manufactured musicians and internet sensations regularly become instant pop stars, it's comforting to know that the conventional means of audience development still works.  Steady touring rather than participating in a televised contest or creating a clever music video seems to be paying off for Paul Thorn.  The journeyman singer-songwriter attracted over 500 fans to Knuckleheads on Friday.  

His regular performances in the Kansas City area have attracted incrementally larger crowds.  A 100-minute set by Thorn and a four-piece backing band exuded a sense of grateful vindication.  Far from a flavor-of-the-month musician, Thorn's hearty meat-and-potatoes approach satisfied the near-capacity audience.

While his lyrics will never be mistaken with the literature of William Faulkner, Thorn's evocative story songs like "Burn Down the Trailer Park" convey a distinct Southern sensibility.  His wicked sense of humor was also heard to great effect on "Honky Tonk Neanderthal," a bitter satire of country music fans. 

Thorn's sentimental songs are just as good.  Thorn's overt sincerity sold "That's Life," a deeply moving collage of phrases spoken by his mother.  And while he's not a true soul man, he freely intermingles sacred and the secular references in the tradition of Southern icons like Al Green.  The insinuating blues of "Starvin' For Your Kisses" and the autobiographical "Pimps and Preachers" conflate images of Saturday nightand Sunday morning.

Each of the evening's two dozen songs were delivered in Thorn's appealing drawl. (He's a native of Tupelo, Miss.) His soulful rasp is much like that of John Hiatt, an artist with a similar career trajectory.  The sole flaw in Thorn's presentation was the overly familiar bar band accompaniment that frames most of his material.  A brief solo-acoustic segment, consequently, served as a welcome respite.  Thorn's dynamic personality helped overcome the monochromatic sound.  A lovable rake, Thorn directly addressed women in the audience that had captured his fancy.  His affections were freely reciprocated.  The former professional boxer appears to have maintained his fighting weight.  Such personal interaction is consistent with Thorn's mission of winning over fans one at a time.

"This is the biggest crowd I've ever played for here," Thorn said.  "It's very encouraging."

Based on the passionate reception received by Thorn Friday, his audience will continue to grow.  Thorn might also consider changing the name of his record label.  The amusing appellation Perpetual Obscurity no longer applies.

| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star

Comments

[JJ]

Great show last night. I liked Thorn's recordings well enough before. I like them a lot more after seeing him perform for the first time. Nice review Bill.

[onthemark]

Another great show, Paul Thorn always delivers!