The Allen Thompson Band’s album Salvation in the Ground is very good indeed: consistent melodic songwriting, accomplished players and singers, and Thompson’s tenuous tenor which isn’t immediately gripping but has an honest and emotive appeal that grows quickly in the listening experience. The 60s/70s influences are obvious though not dominating - The Band, Neil Young, The Eagles, Ronnie Lane – and Thompson’s natural felicity with tune and storytelling is what impresses most. It is americana and southern country soul. Third track Last Goodbye is a gentle southern funk; fourth Everybody Knows is a piano ballad echoing The Band, and fifth While I’m Young reminds me of Lane - perhaps it’s the accordion, and mandolin - and thus my reference to him as an influence, though lyrical references to Virginia and Tennessee root it elsewhere. It has some sweet and uplifting country harmonies. It is also a wonderful love song. It is simply straightforward and effective solid songwriting and performance. Sixth The Purple Rose and the Black Balloon invokes Credence Clearwater Revival, so the influences unravel without surprise but absolute delight. If I was told this is a long lost and unreleased album from Gram Parsons, I could just about believe it. Can’t praise better than that.
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