Paul Thorn released his 5th Studio Album June 2010 PIMPS & PREACHERS, his best effort so far. I was not sure if I liked this guy, his music kind of grows on you slowly. I loved the CD cover which is his art work and the interesting story that goes with it.
He is another Blues guy from the south. This time Mississippi, and he has received some accolades along the way for his music which seems to be gaining ground, especially his writing. As a songwriter he writes of life experiences and he has evolved from “Burn Down the Trailer Park”, “Help Me out, Hook Me Up”, and “Fabio & Liberace” from 1999 to the current PIMPS & PREACHERS.
He is such an interesting fellow; first of all the cover art which he depicts as his “Family Portrait”. His father was a Pentecostal Preacher, and his uncle, his Fathers brother was a Pimp. The following is from his biography:
THE COVER DEPICTS A TEEMING STREET SCENE AT THE UNLIKELY INTERSECTION OF REDEMPTION LANE AND TURN OUT BOULEVARD. TWO FIGURES DOMINATE: A PIMP AND A PREACHER BOTH DRESSED TO THE NINES BENEATH BROAD-BRIMMED HATS, SURROUNDED BY HOOKERS, HOLY ROLLERS AND HANGERS-ON, AND ALL ON THEIR PATHS TO SALVATION OR PERDITION. NEARLY LOST IN THIS TUMULT IS A SMALL BOY BANGING A TAMBOURINE BRANDED WITH THE NAME OF JESUS, BUT BACKED UP AGAINST A STREETWALKER HOLDING A FISTFUL OF GREENBACKS.”
“THAT LITTLE BOY REPRESENTS ME,” SAYS THORN. “I'M IN THE CHURCH GROUP, BUT MY EYES ARE LOOKING BACK TO THE STREET WHERE ALL THE SIN IS GOING ON. IT SHOWS ME BEING INTRIGUED BY THE BROAD WORLD. THAT'S WHY I MADE THIS MY ALBUM COVER. IT DESCRIBES WHO I AM.”
Well, his uncle moved back home to Mississippi from California and reformed his ways, and he became a large influence in young Paul Thorns life in many ways.
Another interesting tidbit; before he began his music career he worked in a furniture factory, but more noteworthy, he was a professional boxer. He won the Mid-South Middle Weight Championship in Memphis TN, and his claim to fame was he fought former World Champion Roberto Duran in a national televised fight.
An Interesting guy right? Paul Thorn may remind you a little of Boz Scaggs, with his terrific sense of phrasing and little Lyle Lovett, with that quirky down home style. He’s bluesy, Rock-A-Billy, Rock, Country, Gospel, Southern Rock, and Root music from the heart.
The Title Track “Pimps & Preachers” is a funky little number as is “I Don’t Like Half The People I Love” and the heart stopper: “Love Scar” If I could be a tear rolling down your cheek and die on your lips, my life would be complete. The words that he said really hit her in the heart, so now she is walkin’ round with a “Love Scar”.
http://www.paulthorn.com/
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