CHRIS THOMPSON – Toys & Dishes (2014)

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If you are a classic rock fan, the name CHRIS THOMPSON needs no introduction. The English singer / songwriter not only was the frontman in Manfred Mann’s Earth Band during their most successful period in the late-1970s/early-1980s, but also was part of melodic rockers Night and worked with the likes of Starship, Gary Moore or Alan Parsons to name some. And of course, Chris wrote the mega-hit ‘You’re the Voice’ made famous by John Farnham.
In the past decade he decamped to Germany, gigging on the continent and with the Norwegian Mads Eriksen, and has retained a relatively low solo profile although continuing as a successful songwriter and a featured vocalist in the touring version of ‘War Of The Worlds’.
Now, over a decade after his previous ‘rocking’ solo offering (2001′s ‘Won’t Lie Down’ with Eriksen), he re-emerges with an album that should hit the mark with his core fanbase: “Toys & Dishes”.

“Toys & Dishes” is indeed a classic rock recording in a traditional way, lifted by Thompson’s still distinctive vocals and a sprinkling of good hooky tunes.
Opener “Million Dollar Wonder Hit” is a clear reference to his biggest hit ‘You’re the Voice’, and how despite that successful single considerably increased his bank account he still is a common man and a musician with a penchant for a simple rock song.

Listeners will hear echoes of his earlier ’80 incarnation on “Dark Side”, a pulsating rocker with a Rhodes piano intro and a melodic chorus, whilst the softer “Millie Christine”, the raw riff of “Hey You!” and the midtempo Hammond-fueled “Talk To Me” repay repeated listens.
The acoustic ballad dedicated to his daughter, “Dream Away Little Girl” is sweet and quite emotional, and the highlight “We Run” add some twang guitars in the background for a ‘road-ready’ type of song.

“Toys & Dishes” is a passionate, personal – but firmly based on classic rock stylings – album by Chris Thompson, which ‘voice’ still is in great form telling interesting stories (he is a great lyricist).
Good stuff.

01 – Million Dollar Wonder Hit
02 – Millie Christine
03 – Eddie Wants To Rock
04 – Dark Side
05 – Hey You!
06 – Dream Away Little Girl
07 – You’re The One I Love
08 – Sad Song Wishes (ONE Moment)
09 – Talk To Me
10 – We Run
11 – WOE Is Me

Chris Thompson – vocals, guitar
Arno Krabman – guitars, bass
Gunnar Bjelland – keyboards
Maarten Molema – drums
CT, Lance Ellington, Inge Pans – background vocals
Richard Cottle – keyboards on 1, 6
Pietro Lacirignola – sax on 4
András Sturcz – cello on 7

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