Thin Places

Randall Bramblett

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 2004)
• Original Release Date: January 27, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New West Records
• ASIN: B0001CCXXE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,546 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

While not a household name, Randall Bramblett has been heard in a wide variety of settings for going on thirty years. His songs have been covered by Sea Level, Delbert McClinton, Rick Nelson, B.J. Thomas, Hot Tuna and many more. As a saxophonist, keyboard player, or singer, he's played with the Allman Brothers, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Elvin Bishop, among others.

Based in Athens, Georgia, Thin Places is Bramblett's fifth album. Backed by his regular touring band and assorted guests, the eleven songs have an honest vitality to them. Whether it's a mid-tempo shuffle ("Comin' 'Round Soon"), steamy southern funk ("Red Booth"), or Stones-like swagger ("Nobody's Problem"), it's all handled with gutsy vigor and aplomb. Nashville producer Michael Rhodes recognized that the songs could handle sophisticated arrangements and he fearlessly pushed them to their limits, when it was called for (such as on "Are You Satisfied"). Other times--such as on the emotive "Chet Baker"--he let the barest minimum carry the innate eloquence on graceful wings. --David Greenberger

Product Description

Randall Bramblett-a voice full of emotion and soul, a songwriter and a multi-instrumentalist with an emphasis on sax and keyboards. Thin Places was cut in Nashville with a couple of Randall stalwarts and a host of fine session musicians. It's a record that blurs the line between soul, pop and blues with standout tracks like the aching love song "You Can Be The Rain," the happy-go-lucky "Playing Card" and the surreal poem "Chet Baker." Thin Places is one of those albums where every song speaks to all in a strange and wonderful way.

Over the years, Randall has toured the country playing with the legendary Steve Winwood, Widespread Panic, Gov't Mule and countless others. Randall again takes center stage with the release of Thin Places.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discover Randall!!!, April 26, 2004

By	E. Woontner "eiw" (Fairfax, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was blown away by the several live performances of Randall Bramblett as a member of the Steve Winwood live band I witnessed since 1997. I have bought all of his albums and cannot recommend him enough - everything is excellent, music, lyrics, musicianship. He is a fantastic musician and composer that deserved to be discovered.

Put on "Thin Places" and then drive away in your car. You'll be transported to another dimension, reflecting on oh so many aspects of life. One word of advice: his songs are more appreciated if you have lived a little. Teens need not apply.

I hope he will tour the West sometimes, because I would love to hear his own compositions live.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rain, Angels & Holes in Souls, October 12, 2004

By	Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Randall Bramblett's follow up to "No More Mr. Lucky" continues that excellent streak that brought "End of the String" & "Disappearing Ink." "Thin Places" begins with Davis Causey's great electric lead and Bramblett's passionate vocals on "Nobody's Problem," "The angel's arms are full of holes." "Playing Card" is an excellent tune with Shawn Pelton's hot drums keeping double time, "I'm just an old soul peekin' thru a hole in the wall." The track currently riding high in my personal top ten is the classic "You Can Be the Rain." Bramblett's exquisite songwriting skills amalgamating melody & lyric, the razor sharp band and his stunning vocals all collide, "Lookin' for a poem in the water stains on the floor, I'll be waiting here where the sky is clear, you can be the rain against my window." Bramblett slows down for the midtempo "Comin' Round Soon" blowing out a soulful sax for a touch of the blues, "As soon as I get it all planned out right, I'm gonna live a long & sinful life." Bramblett wails on the Hammond B-3 on "Black Coat," "There's nothing left to do but laugh & feed the angels, give 'em what they want in the February sun." Bramblett sounds like a stone-bleached Dylan on the tender "Confident Thieves," "These mudtrack boots are full of rain & nails; the dark fills in where the light has failed; neon dirt is turnin' red as blood; you can see your story written in the mud." "Chet Baker" is another excellent track with Bramblett's world-weary vocals, "I walk outside where the avalanche leans always ready to wipe this landscape clean, just a shrug of the shoulders where the tears should be." The CD concludes with the soulful midtempo "I Don't Care." "Thin Places" highlights a musician at the top of his game as a writer & singer. Bramblett's musicianship has always been stellar as his tours with Steve Winwood & the Allman Brothers would attest. His lyrics fill with images of rain, angels and the holes within souls. Enjoy this set and pick up "Mr. Lucky" too if you missed it! Bravo!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible experience, March 15, 2004

By	Gordon Harbison (Canton, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

If great entertainment always leaves you wanting more, then this qualifies as magnificent. You don't want this incredible sojourn of songs to end. Randall, longtime guitarist Davis Causey and friends, old and new, have crafted a masterpiece of exquisite musicianship swirling around eloquent and thought provoking lyrics, it is easy to lose yourself in this one. Didn't think it was possible to keep topping previous efforts, but Randall has done it again. Heartily recommended!