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This cd was 3 years in the making. Robbin Thompson, a former Bruce Springsteen band mate in the early group STEEL MILL writes and sings songs that cross over several genres of music from acoustic blues/rock to country, gospel and easy listening. This cd features guest appearances by harmonica virtuoso Rick Epping and Canadian songstress Ellen McIlwaine as well as some of Virginia's finest musicians.
The title song, JUST A BLUR IN THE REARVIEW (THAT'S LIFE), was co-written by fellow Virginian, now Nashville songwriter, PHIL VASSAR. It also contains the song I WON'T QUIT that was in the major motion picture, THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. Thompson co-wrote and sang the song with DAVE MATTHEWS BAND members Carter Beauford and Butch Taylor. They also perform it on the cd.
Recorded live at IN YOUR EAR STUDIOS, Richmond, Virginia, with an audience of 80 people for 2 nights. 13 live tracks and stories about how some of the songs were written. Special guests Michael Lille, Carlos Chafin, and Jeff Gilkinson contribute to several songs.
ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE BLUES includes songs with backing vocals by TIMOTHY B.SCHMIT OF THE EAGLES, performances by DAVE MATTHEWS BAND keyboardist BUTCH TAYLOR, and a song called ORANGE MOON that was recorded in SHANGHAI, CHINA, featuring traditional Chinese instruments.
Also included is a previously unreleased song by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN called TRAIN SONG.
THE VINYL YEARS includes songs from three of Thompson's previous LPs: ROBBIN THOMPSON, recorded in 1976, ROBBIN THOMPSON, STEVE BASSETT "TOGETHER", recorded in 1978, and BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, released in 1985.
ALL OF THOMPSON'S 1ST LP IS INCLUDED ALONG WITH THE ORIGINAL "SWEET VIRGINIA BREEZE," WHICH IS CONSIDERED THE "UNOFFICIAL STATE SONG OF VIRGINIA"
More Americana . . . Strong lyrics and vocals as well as incredible instrumental performances.
Two B's Please was released in 1980 and sold 200,000 copies. It includes "Sweet Virginia Breeze," a song that is considered the unofficial state song of Virginia.
The songs "Brite Eyes," "Candyapple Red," and "Sweet Virginia Breeze" were regional (southeast) hits.
"Brite Eyes" was in the national Billboard and Cash Box Top 60 at the time of its release on vinyl.
Background vocals on the majority of the disc are performed by Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit and Firefall's Rick Roberts.