The Wayside's John Thompson spent three years of his childhood on a farm. Not the pretty farms we see in the movies, but a dust bowl type of farm where the work and life were hard...very hard. The album Farm chronicles the journey that Thompson has taken--a pilgrimage from a life plagued by a dysfunctional, mostly absentee father, to a new life with a new Father.
Lyrically, that journey begins with "See You" as the pre-adolescent Thompson is on his knees praying "Bless Momma as much as you can, keep him outta here." Like a farmer, he pours his heart and soul into sowing a life that is worth reaping. But if conditions aren't just right, there may be no harvest, and in "So Cold" he realizes that a hard life often takes its toll when he sings "I know I'm only ten, but I've lived for fifty years. You won't see me crying, you won't catch a tear." Life has a way of hardening our hearts.
But throughout, there is hope. Glimpses of the Hound of Heaven are seen chasing down the songwriter, and drawing him closer to his true Father. But no matter where we are on our pilgrimage, there comes a time when we have to make that decision. In "So Long" the singer faces this choice: "This is the moment you have sought, to try to find a future that was bought. Paid for by a phantom who's as real as the night is long. Sad is the day that you tell your own soul 'so long'." And in the end, he realizes his need for a Savior in "Echo of a Name" as he begs "Speak to me honest, speak to me plain, Deal the harsh cards, if that's the name of the game," and then calls God by a few of His many names: Jireh (provider), Rapha (healer), and Nissi (banner of victory).
Unlike much of Christian music, there are no formulaic "Jesus Loves Me, Life is Great" sentiments here. Thompson acknowledges that life is indeed hard, even for the faithful. Life in Christ is no guarantee of milk and honey--at least in this world. As John Thompson sums it up in the liner notes, "Life is not a picnic, it's a farm. We work the ground all our days and still we are at the mercy of God for a little rain to fall. In His timing, the rain falls." And more so than most of us, Thompson can truly appreciate God's grace and the concept of adoption, when considering his journey from a biological father who didn't care, to a perfectly and fully caring adoptive Father.
Musically, The Wayside falls into the No Depression/Alt-Country family of artists, complete with lap steel, pedal steel, mandolin, and harmonica. But this isn't the country music of Big Hats. There are a few rockers mixed in with the gentler, bluesier tunes. Former Vigilante of Love Kenny Hutson drops by to play on a few songs, as does uber-studio maven Phil Madeira. The band itself is made up of John Thompson, Michelle Thompson, drummer Chris Wicklas, and bass-player Marc Ludena. (Lead guitarist Brent King joined the group after the album was recorded). Vocally, the Thompsons are a treat to listen to: John delivering his lines in a smooth and husky voice, that goes down like a home-made birch beer, leaving you wanting for more; and Michelle, who at times is reminiscent of Emmylou Harris and some of the other great female singers of "real" country music.
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Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinThe Wayside is most noted for being John J. Thompson's band. Thompson is the force behind True Tunes, the former print publication and mail-order catalog, and now that other Chicago-based web site (besides the Phantom Tollbooth) where cool Christians everywhere click on over to get news and reviews on all the best in Alternative Christian Music. Having a hefty responsibility as publisher/editor…
