Richard Thorne

Artist Information

Biography

“Buddy Holly might have sounded something like this if he had migrated to the Village scene in the latter 1960s, as folk music was transforming into folk-rock - in other words into an intelligent, inner-directed, generally acoustic pop.” This is how one insightful critic described Richard Thorne and his music when reviewing his CD, "Amalgam" in 2004. Inevitably , the word "quirky" pops up whenever anyone attempts to describe his music, whether it is in the chord progressions, the constantly changing time signatures within a song, in the melodies and lyrics or in his voice. He has always taken a somewhat atypical approach to song writing while still being mindful and influenced by the " masters " of the art of song writing.
Richard was born and raised in Central Upstate NY , and In his younger years, had the good fortune to grow up in a musical household where he was exposed to just about every style of music possible, from classical to jazz, to folk, country, pop, rock and musical theater. Thus, he has a great appreciation for all styles and genres of music and his influences are equally as broad and inclusive . This is reflected in his song writing. So that at times, hints of anything from 60's pop to bluegrass and traditional country, to even Tin Pan Alley and musical theater, can be heard in his compositions.
He has been playing music since the age of 6 when he began with the obligatory piano lessons, Then, at age 10, he eagerly started playing the drums, and later at 18, he picked up his first guitar in order to take a tentative stab at song writing.
He moved at a young age to New York City, where he has been a long time resident, to pursue a career in both theater and dance, which  included studying acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse, a brief scholarship at the New York School of Ballet, numerous performances in both fields and even a stab at choreography. But in the late 70's, he  returned to music playing the drums for  several "New Wave" bands. In 1980, he  stepped out front as a guitar strumming singer songwriter, accompanied by a saxophonist and a  bongo player to make his debut at a Greenwich Village folk club, playing very nontraditional folk songs baffling the owner of the club. . He soon added an electric violin and bass to the mix,  named the group Richard Thorne and The Side Effects and preceded to write and play his quirky acoustic folk pop songs at various venues in the city. He continued to tinker with his sound, constantly changing the personnel and instrumentation, including forming a somewhat standard rock band with whom he released in 1981, a 45 RPM, single “Junkie For Your Love”. One of his more successful and entertaining projects, was his somewhat theatrical “Richard Thorne’s Summer Party” show in which he fronted an eight member female band singing songs both celebrating and bemoaning the summer experience in an urban environment. Then in 1993, except for one impromptu performance at a hotel bar in Jalapa, Mexico, he put away his guitar and took a very long sabbatical from both performing and writing. But as the new century approached, he once again picked up his guitar to write and record his first CD, “Undercover Overachiever” in 2000. After that EP, which one critic described as " experimental folk " he started to lean toward a more americana, country folk sound incorporating at times the upright bass, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and the pedal steel into his sound . But there was always still that " quirky " element. In addition to “Amalgam” and the EP , he released, “One Plus Six” in 2007 and has just released his most recent 13 songs CD, Coming From The End He is a long time member of ASCAP , and multi recipient of their ASCAP PLUS Awards and a member of the Folk Alliance .

Instrumentation

Richard (often solo) vocals, acoustic guitar with a pick up
He can from time to time be accompanied by any of the following instruments:
Upright and/or electric bass, electric guitar , drums, piano, mandolin, pedal steel, banjo and fiddle.

Discography

Undercover Overachiever (EP) 2000
Amalgam 2005
One Plus Six December 2007
Coming From The End April, 2012

Official Website

http://www.richardthornemusic.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Bandcamp

Audio

• 01 On the Money 3-6-12 MAS
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• 03 Love is Hard Work 3-6-12 MAS
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• 06 Give Me One More Chance 3-6-12 MAS
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• 07 Bailing Out the Big Boys 3-6-12 MAS
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• 10 Trains Don't Run to Nashville 3-6-12 MAS
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Lyrics

• North Of The Border
• The Trains Don't Run To Nashville Anymorre
• How Much I Know
• Every Day's A New Day
• Making Up For Lost Time
• Every Road I Travel
• It's All Right
• Freight Trains and Strange Dreams
• Bailing Out The Big Boys
• Make Each Morning Feel Like A Holiday
• The Prince Of Peace Was Born On Christmas Day
• Every Day's A New Day
• Getting Hurt Is Nothing New

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Amalgam [+ Show ]
  

  " Holly might have sounded something like this if he had migrated to the Village scene in the latter..." Holly might have sounded something like this if he had migrated to the Village scene in the latter 1960s, as folk music was transforming into folk-rock -- in other words into an intelligent, inner-directed, generally acoustic pop....he manages to convey an impression of what a Holly who had heard Bob Dylan might have become."
  
  

• Troubador Without Wheels [+ Show ]
  

  "With Thorne, it's best just to forgo categorizing and appreciate him for what he is -- a gifted son..."With Thorne, it's best just to forgo categorizing and appreciate him for what he is -- a gifted songwriter who dabbles in assorted musical strains: Folk, country, bluegrass, pop. Maybe that's why he called his latest CD "Amalgam." It's no coincidence."
  

• Amalgam [+ Show ]
  

  Richard Thorne’s latest, “Amalgam” is full of narrative power and Thorne’s own stirring voice. “Ama... Richard Thorne’s latest, “Amalgam” is full of narrative power and Thorne’s own stirring voice. “Amalgam” shines with great folk writing and Thorne’s thoroughly talented voice.

• Thorne at Cyber Cafe West [+ Show ]
  

  His clipped, Buddy Holly-like voice and nontraditional chord changes keep listeners wondering what w...His clipped, Buddy Holly-like voice and nontraditional chord changes keep listeners wondering what will come next -- but whatever it is, it's worth sticking around to hear.
  

• Amalgam [+ Show ]
  

  “Amalgam” is a perfect marriage of folk, bluegrass, alt.country, and roots rock. Singer/songwriter R...“Amalgam” is a perfect marriage of folk, bluegrass, alt.country, and roots rock. Singer/songwriter Richard Thorne has a serene sense about him—you’ll often find yourself wandering into his lyric sheet and closing your eyes, allowing Richard to whisk you off to the inner reaches of his creative mind. “Amalgam” finds a mature musician who has something to say and a great way to tell it.
  

• Thorne's Amalgam Worth A Look [+ Show ]
  

  If you like twangy folk, you’ll probably enjoy this. A lot. It’s playful and fun and shows a real af...If you like twangy folk, you’ll probably enjoy this. A lot. It’s playful and fun and shows a real affection for music. In terms of composition and pure enjoyment of performance, this really is a pretty fun record, and it has plenty of depth to run along with it too.
  
  Thorne also really seems to know and love his audience, and he has a lively style that revels in an air of spontaneity — he really makes you think he must be awfully good live,

• Amalgam [+ Show ]
  

  One of the most unique -- and pleasant -- voices I've heard in quite some time. The songs are litt...One of the most unique -- and pleasant -- voices I've heard in quite some time.
  The songs are little jewels, instantly embracable by afficianados of American roots music. There's simply not a misstep.
  
  

• Amalgam [+ Show ]
  

  " Amalgam is full of stories that will captivate and amuse you for hours. A team of great bluegrass ..." Amalgam is full of stories that will captivate and amuse you for hours. A team of great bluegrass and folk artists shine on this well crafted album"
  Jamestown Music Inc.
  

• Songwriter Showcase [+ Show ]
  

  Borrowing from folk and hints of bluegrass, Richard's songs are light hearted like an afternoon ride...Borrowing from folk and hints of bluegrass, Richard's songs are light hearted like an afternoon ride, at times not unlike early Cat Stevens. Lyrically spun around a character who seems to 'get it' and knows everyone else can too.
  January 18, 2006

• Undercover Overachiever [+ Show ]
  

  "Richard demonstrates his ability to write songs that don't all sound the same, a trap some writers ..."Richard demonstrates his ability to write songs that don't all sound the same, a trap some writers tend to fall into. This was an interesting album with some songs on it that other singers or bands might want to have a look at with a view to covering them in their own style."
  

Setlist

A set can include any of the following songs
Cobwebs In The Attic
Every Road I Travel
I Am True
Getting Hurt Is Nothing New
Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don't
Freight Trains and Strange Dreams
North of The Border
Left Handed Blues
Joe Gould
It's All Right
How Much I Know
Ain't Gonna Listen to My Heart
Undercover Overachiever
Everybody's Left Town
The Trains Don't Run To Nashville Anymore
The Steeple
Every Day's A New Day
Sets run anywhere from 30-60 minutes
Cover songs include : Various traditional, Waylon Jennings, Ricky Nelson, Buddy Holly

Basic Requirements

Calendar