Pop, Soul THE BORDER SESSIONS
LND Music Factory Presents MusicLand by Allan Thomas 320kbit/s

The concept is simple for this new "MusicLand" series, we asked artists what 10 songs they would take with them to a desert island. The first artist to say yes was Mr. Allan Thomas.

Allan Thomas’ musical adventure began in Brooklyn, NY when, at age 12, he joined a doo-wop vocal group, performing at local events. At age 18, he signed his first solo record deal with famed producer Huey P. Meaux, and released his first single on Scepter Records.

Becoming a songwriter at 19, Allan soon played the coffee house circuit in Greenwich Village backing himself on acoustic guitar. In 1971 Sire Records released his first album of original songs ‘A Picture’ produced by Richard Gottehrer. To support the album he toured the US opening for acts such as Cannonball Adderley Quintet, Weather Report, Richie Havens, and elder blues men Bukka White and Arthur Crudup.
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Drifters - Up On The Roof
I was in several doo-wop a capella vocal groups in the early sixties, it was my entrance into the wide world of music. I loved the harmonies and sentiments of the Drifters and would play their records, singing along till they wore out.

Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions - People Get Ready
Another harmony based vocal group that I loved as a teen , but what really hooked me was Curtis’ electric guitar playing and his hammer-on’s, that inspired me to get a guitar and start down that road. I still perform this song regularly.

Bob Dylan - Just Like A Woman
Hearing Dylan’s Like A Rolling Stone was like a revelation in 1965. But he could also write about tender-hearted subjects and all this combined got me thinking about writing songs.

The Beatles - Yesterday
Being a stalwart doo-wop singer I downplayed the Beatles at first, but after Rubber Soul I had to admit their talent was unmistakeable and again, their songwriting made me re-think my priorities and this song in particular withstands the styles and changing tastes in music even to this day...

Steely Dan - Deacon Blues
Fast forward 15 years to when I was a staff-songwriter at ABC Dunhill Music in LA. I’d get their records for $1 to be able to vote in the Grammy’s. I quickly became a major fan of their rock, blues jazz leanings with smart wry lyrics. This song sums up their appeal to me in every way. Still can’t believe two of their members play on my new upcoming album.

Donald Fagen - The Nightfly
Just a great song regarding a late night DJ’s thoughts, from an album I still play regularly. Who knew I’d be recording and performing with him 25 years later!

Joni Mitchell - Refuge of the Roads
I started listening to Joni in the late 60’s and was invited to two of her recording sessions. I love her use of open tuning chords which I would employ in the 90’s to a great extent. I also loved her lyrical stories and of course the wanderlust evident in this tune, not to mention Jaco Pastorius’ amazing bass playing.

Sting - Shape of My Heart
Love this song not only for the lyrics but for Dominique Millers beautiful finger style guitar playing and writing here which these days resonates for me in a big way.

John Coltrane - After The Rain
In the early seventies I listened to a lot of jazz and even performed and recorded with alto sax master Cannonball Addererly. But Coltrane’s tenor on this track and the mood he sets still blows me away.

Joao Gilberto - Aguas De Marco (The Waters Of March)
I was like a sponge soaking up all kinds of music in the early seventies. A friend turned me on the Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell and I was never the same, somehow being magically drawn to the rhythms and melodies from that country. Of course I discovered the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joao Gilberto and learned this song and still perform it to this day.

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