Stephen Thomas and People On Wheels
The Story So Far...
© 2006 Stephen H. Thomas (837101245425)
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Melodic surrealism with heartfelt whimsy, a must for penguins of all ages.
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notes
Multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, multi-dimensional Stephen Thomas captured a legion of fans with his 1997 independent release INANUTSHELL with mock band The Reptiles. The band was composed entirely of himself, a fact that most listeners never realised. It was hailed as "...the greatest psychedelic album never released in 1966," and referred to by one reviewer as sounding like, "...Syd Barrett and XTC covering unpublished Beatles songs."
After a stream of live performances as bass player for both the power trio Sigmund Boo and The Paul Thomas Band, Stephen decided to form a studio band of talented musicians to bring his next album to life. Veteran rocker Jeff Gaynor plays keyboard, while local guitar icon Paul Damon Thomas provides lead and shares bass duties with his brother. Kevin Bernardo, a staple drummer of countless independent progressive bands and recordings, provides the solid backbone to the structure.
Independent folk starlet Tina Vero provides backing vocals along with newcomer Erin Carly, and both can be heard to sing lead on the sea shanty "Running Out Of Ocean," and virtuoso lunatic Dan McCarthy is on hand to provide atmosphere and harmonies.
"[On INANUTSHELL] I was always using production technique to make the guitars sound different, or alter sound in some way. For The Story So Far... I decided to leave the instruments very natural sounding, so even though there are other musicians on it the sound is much more personal, more intimate."
The song topics are also quite personal, featuring the tender love songs "What I Have Seen" and "Opening Up," the introspective "Blowing Kisses At The Moon" and "Clouds Of Green" or quite simply a recounting of travels in Hong Kong with "Tsim-Sha-Tsui."
Humour is present in songs like "Prime Blue" which Stephen claims is, "...the first love song I've written in years!" "Blake On Parade" and of course the Myspace favourite "Treacle!"
"Verona" and "Spider Web" recall a leaning back to the psychedelic music that first brought Stephen Thomas recognition (a genre he says he has not given up on), whereas "Free To Be" and "O, Death (Won't You Dance With Me?)" hint at the superb songwriting that lies beneath the Cheshire grin.
"I've got a whole back catalogue of songs that I'm working through. Some I'll record with People On Wheels, others I'll do as The Reptiles and just to make matters more frustrating I've begun to start writing again, so with any luck I'll be able to release a steady flow of hour long CDs just to catch everyone up to where I am now. But for now, this is The Story So Far..."
reviews
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This CD is so remarkable...
author: Walter Gaines...that I'm going out tonight to purchase several penguins - of all ages - to intensify my enjoyment!!
Love it... Great music to escape and Relax and just smile:) . J
author: Joanne G.Hi, This is A great CD. Its got that early Pink Floyd sound with a smile and a twist added, and just great to listen to after a crazy day!! It makes you get lost in the music and next thing you know your singing tunes from it to yourself all day. Sparrows really does that to me!! J
Meant to say proud you are my cousin, had a few 2 many wines!!
author: KimStill GREAT CD without the wine!!!
Fantastic!! Pround to call you my cousion.
author: KimHave to say my flat mate and i have just had a good listen to all the tracks and are both very impressed!!!!
Great! I LOVE it!
author: NormanWOW, this is great! Definately buy it for early holiday gifts. Norman.
Wicked fun WICKED
author: DenialStephen Thomas has turned in quite the treat for Halloween. Check it out you might surprise yourself. There are songs I can't get out of my head. Perhaps if I hum the songs aloud I'll cause a frenzy one can only hope.
- author: Angela Rubinstein
Beautiful Voice that translates into beautiful music. Love It.
Loved it! Best new release in a long time, so much talent
author: K-9 Dental StudioWe loved this great new CD & play it all the time in the lab. Many of my dentist accounts heard it & bought several copies. Don't let that bother you, some dentists have good taste in music! Not like the old days. We highly recommend this, our new favorite CD. Howard.