TOP RELEASES OF 2003
In it's online edition, the editors of No Depression Magazine
have listed Verlon's "EVERYWHERE...YET" as one
of the top new releases of 2003.
Del McCoury Records Verlon Song
Eight-time winners of bluegrass's Entertainers of the Year
Award, The Del McCoury Band, has recorded another Verlon
Thompson song. Their Grammy nominated CD "It's Just
The Night" on the McCoury Music/Sugar Hill label includes
Verlon's song "Asheville Turnaround" (written
with Austin Cunningham). Verlon's songs have appeared on
this smokin' band's last three CDs.
Music for Genuine
Human Documentary
Verlon has arranged and produced the music for a Genuine
Human Productions documentary called "PRE MADONNA."
Film maker/journalist Demetria Kalodimos spent two years
researching the story of early 70's Nashville underground
character Arizona Star and her partner (girl) George. The
documentary was inspired by Guy
Clark's song, "Arizona Star" and features
Mr. Clark himself, as
narrator.
"Everywhere…Yet"
-- released 2003
Inspired by an itinerary grown from years on the road, Verlon
Thompson’s Everywhere …Yet is an unpredictable
musical hitch-hike… from the dirt roads of true country,
through bluesy back alleys and the wide open spaces only
a songwriters mind can fill.
The
songs span 2 decades of this Oklahoma writers varied catalogue.
Some are new, others re-discovered at the urging of festival
and concert fans. “These are songs people have requested
over the years, and I thought it was time to record them.”
In his barn/home/studio, Thompson took an organic approach,
playing every instrument and singing harmonies with himself.
The result is homegrown and exquisitely hand made. “I
have a nice collection of instruments sitting around my
house and I felt like putting them to use”. “I
live within hollerin’ distance of some of the finest
musicians in the world, but for some reason I felt the need
to do this project alone”.
Everywhere…Yet, the title tune chronicles
the legendary venues and listening room stages Thompson
has shared with longtime partner and mentor Guy
Clark. “ I was marking my calendar for the months
ahead, and noticed the gigs had sort of a poetic ring. After
a show at Poor David’s in Dallas, we were booked at
a vintage theatre called the Palace in Tennessee…”
Within hours, that list became the title song. “I
didn’t know what songs I would put together to make
this album. The next song was whatever felt right at the
moment. What I wound up with is not so much a concept album,
as a ‘song quilt’ “. Emotional threads
tie the songs together.
The tapestry includes:
He Left the Road: A haunting recollection of a carefree
last ride.
Township Breakdown: An acrobatic instrumental inspired by
a trip to Alaska in winter.
Whisper and a Scream: The only live recording, it captures
the casual ambience of a festival audience.
Bunkhouse Blues: A real cowboy campfire song (tumbleweeds
optional.)
I was a Square: Clever word play proves the first line can
supply the payoff.
Also: I Will Come Back Again, Perfect Love and Like There’s
No Tomorrow.
“I love performing my own songs, but I get the same
thrill interpreting other peoples work. I included a Terry
Allen song (Give Me A Ride To Heaven Boy – a rowdy
resurrection of an Allen classic) and Rex’s Blues
by Townes Van Zandt” (a timeless tune-poem from Townes,
this version dedicated to Thompson’s brother, whose
name is Rex). So here we are. “I’ve hung some
of my paintings next to the master’s. “It’s
both humbling and inspiring. And in the right light, I think
they look pretty good”.
P.S.
The final touches on this recording were made a day before
Verlon broke both of his wrists in a fall from a ladder.
There’s a moral there, but we’re still trying
to figure it out and are open to suggestions! Everywhere
…Yet isn’t available everywhere…yet.
But, for now you can order it online here!
Verlon participated in the making of "Lonesome, 'Onry
and Mean" a tribute to Waylon Jennings. Verlon sang along
with Guy Clark on the Waylon song "Good Hearted Woman"
on the Dualtone Records release.
Verlon has recently finished working on the music for a documentary
film for Genuine Human
Productions in Nashville.
"Injurious George", the story of a notorious Nashville
character known as the Foot Stomper, is produced and directed
by Demetria Kalodimos. Miss Kalodimos' last film, "Friends
Seen and Unseen" (about another Nashville cult hero,
Prophet Omega) was an award winner at the Nashville Film Festival
2000 and one of the best selling videos at Tower Records.
"DARWETTIA’S
MANDOLIN" If you’ve heard Verlon do this song,
then you know that Darwettia (say Dar-wee-ta) is Verlons
Mom and that she’s a mandolin picker. Verlon shipped
the recording gear back to Oklahoma and recorded Mom doing
some real classics. Those tracks were then brought back
to Nashville where Verlon has added the finishing touches
with some talented friends dropping by to help out. Billy
and Bryn Bright from Peter Rowans band, Guy Clark, Shawn
Camp, Darrell Scott, Melba Montgomery and others make this
the real deal. Oh yea, Verlon does "Darwettia’s
Mandolin" as a bonus track.
"OUT
AT THE BARN" Recorded live at Verlon’s barn/home
the cd features several friends who also happen to be some
of Nashville’s finest session players and songwriters.
The line up consists of: Verlon, Darrell Scott, Guy Clark,
Jellyroll Johnson, Andrea Zonn, Allison Prestwood, Larry Marrs,
Suzi Ragsdale and John Gardner.
"OUT AT THE BARN – THE VIDEO" is a 21 minute
video of the making of the cd "Out At The Barn".
The camera floats in and around the circle of musicians sitting
in the living room of Verlon’s barn/house. You’ll
feel like you were there.
"COLD DOG SOUP" Guy Clark’s latest ( Sugar
Hill Records) was co-produced by Verlon, Darrell Scott, Chris
Latham and Guy. Similiar to "Out At The Barn" in
that it was basically a live recording with Guy, Darrell and
Verlon sitting in a circle. Shawn Camp and Emmylou Harris
make guest appearances.
"CONCERTS FOR A LANDMINE FREE WORLD" Verlon appears
with Guy Clark on this new release on Vanguard Records.
Other artists are Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Mary Chapin
Carpenter, Bruce Cockburn, Nanci Griffith, Gillian Welch
& David Rawlings, Patty Griffin, Kris Kristofferson,
Terry Allen and Steve Earl.
The following is an excerpt from the liner notes: "Heralded
as a "musical event of historical proportions"
the first series of Concerts for a Landmine Free World was
presented in California on five successive evenings in December
of 1999. These concerts brought together the finest singer/songwriters
of our age to share their music in an intimate, acoustic
setting. The exceptional artists featured on this album
joined forces to create unique musical events that also
raised public awareness of the global landmine tragedy."
"TOWNES VAN ZANT TRIBUTE" Verlon accompanied
Guy Clark, along with Darrell Scott and Bukka Allen in recording
"To Live Is To Fly". Recorded at Willie Nelson’s
Padernales Studio, the track will be part of tribute to
Townes produced by Freddy Flethcher and will also feature
tracks from Willie, Steve Earl, J.T Van Zant and others.
