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Paul Thorn
CL RECOMMENDS
CRITIC’S PICK
Thurs., June 12
Paul Thorn, Red Clay Foundry: Frequent Atlanta visitor Thorn is known for magnetic solo performances where he regales the audience with often humorous stories of his colorful life and the offbeat people he has met. But this time he brings a full band to reproduce music from a new album Life is Just a Vapor. His dusky voice, crafty lyrics and melodic choruses will ring out with more assurance as the backing musicians add heft to his already muscular songs. “Tough times don’t last/Tough people do” he sings on the jaunty opening track, which seems to be a summation of his life.—Hal Horowitz
From the venue:
When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop. Maybe he learned the power of minimalism from his years as a pro boxer; maybe it just comes naturally. But whether he’s targeting heads, hearts, hips or the occasional funny bone, he somehow manages to condense large nuggets of wisdom into tight little mantras, the kind embroiderers stitched onto pillows before internet memes existed.
American Blues Scene writer Don Wilcock calls Thorn “an everyman (who) addresses things we all think about, but few can articulate with the kind of candor, humor and folksy truth that immediately endear him to almost everyone lucky enough to hear his music.”
Paul Thorn | 06/12/2025 8:00 PM