Ashley Lennon Thomas
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Country-flavoured pop
Status:
Most recent release, Color By Numbers (2014)
See also:
Ashley Lennon Thomas's site
Comparisons:
Rickie Lee Jones, Maria McKee
Covers/own material:
Own, occasional covers
General comments:
Ashley Lennon Thomas has a great voice and records soulful music. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Recommended first album:
Sparkle Plenty is the only one we've heard
Recordings:
- Sparkle Plenty (2008)
- Give Up the Ghost (EP, 2009)
- Color By Numbers (2014)
Sparkle Plenty (2008)
Release info:
2008—self-released
Availability:
See Ashley Lennon Thomas's site
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Ashley Lennon Thomas—vocals, guitar, backing vocals
Guest artists:
Larry Goetz—acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lap steel guitar (1), tambourine (5)
Rick Lonow—drums (1, 8)
Byl Carruthers—bass (1, 5, 8, 13), electric guitars (3, 6), baritone guitar (8), acoustic guitar (3, 13), backing vocals (5)
JT Thomas—Wurlitzer (1, 13), Hammond B-3 (2), piano (3, 4, 7, 9, 11), vibraphone (4), organ (5, 6), bells (10), backing vocals (3, 11), acoustic guitar (11), bass (12), accordion (12), percussion (4)
Stevie Gurr—harmonica (1)
Moon Calhoun—backing vocals (1, 2, 11), percussion (8)
Lynn Coulter—backing vocals (1, 2, 11), drums (3, 4, 6, 7, 13), percussion (4), cajon, shakers, wind chimes (8), lead vocals (100)
John Molo—drums (2, 9, 11), percussion (4)
J.V. Collier—bass (2, 9, 11)
Tim Kobza—electric guitars (2, 4, 9, 11, 13), slide guitar (8)
Doug Derryberry—mandolin (2)
Dan Conway—bass (3, 6, 7)
Gene Anderson—additional vocals
Will MacGregor—bass, percussion (4)
Lee Thornburg—trumpt, trombone (4)
Paulie Cerra—saxophones, horn arrangement (4)
The Reverend John Thomas—drums (5), Mr. Tambourine Man (9), brooms (12)
Donald Miller—electric guitar (5)
Arlan Schierbaum—Hammond B-3 (8)
Gary Park—guitar (10)
David Chamberlain—acoustic bass (10)
Matthew Fish—cello (10)
John McDuffie—dobro, acoustic guitar (12)
Dalton Hagler—saxophones
Chuck Wansley—backing vocals (13)
Produced by:
JT Thomas and Ashely Lennon Thomas; Larry Goetz—co-produced (1)
Comments:
Ashley Lennon Thomas has a lovely voice and uses it well on this album. Her music has a soulful slant that transcends pastiche and a country flavor that also feels genuine. "Hard headed woman" is a cool, finger-snapping song where everything just flows together perfectly. The retro soul highlight "Like I can" is less in thrall to the past than others who have tried the genre recently. "Black Coffee" is a dreamy song worthy of Maria McKee. For a debut, it's remarkably assured and lacks weak songs. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to stjarnell@yahoo.com for work on this entry.
