March 5 2024
ThorNton Creek is the nom de plume of Thornton Bowman, an unassuming singer/songwriter who hails from Abingdon Virginia but currently resides in Seattle. That said, he still retains a distinct southern sensibility spawned from his original rural environs. His new album, Swim a While, reflects that easy-going attitude, doing so with an affable and engaging sound that ensures instant appeal. Certain songs — the hum-worthy “Most Days,” the bluesy and seemingly carefree “Cold Train,” the casual and contented “Baby in the House,” a would-be singalong “Rain Rain,” and the jaunty “Self Storage Locker” in particular — are obvious candidates for future crowd favorites courtesy of their decidedly upbeat attitude. So too, the tongue-in-cheek repartee of the instrumental with the otherwise unlikely title, “List Of Infectious Sheep and Goat Diseases” finds its strength courtesy of a steady beat and a compelling sound.
Bowman is at his best when he opts for a mellower motif, given the fact he possesses an absolute ability to wring emotion from every one of the album’s beautiful ballads. The opening offering, “Thin Moments,” provides a calming caress, and two tracks later, “Starlight” conveys a pretty, pastoral lilt. “I've Got a Dream for You” is a decidedly endearing entreaty with a message that’s easily understood and certainly says it all in terms of courting and a come-on. Likewise, “Seasons” is similarly spirited, courtesy of a sound that comes across as both effortless and unaffected.
Bowman himself is an assured singer and front man who sometimes sounds like Stephen Stills in his mellower moments. He’s joined by Don Miller on electric guitar, mandolin and vocals, Steve Miller on bass, Randy Rush, who plays keyboards, banjo and accordion, and Mark Drake on drums and vocals. Their breezy, finely burnished arrangements are an obvious sign they work well in tandem while serving these songs well. In the end, ThorNton Creek creates the kind of serendipitous sound that can easily encourage listeners to simply go with the flow.
Lee Zimmerman- is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. A former promotions representative for ABC and Capitol Records and director of communications for various CBS-affiliated television stations, he lives in Maryville, Tennessee.
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