UK west coast music artists…
Ali Thomson climbed the charts in the early ’80s with the title track to his melodic set, Take a Little Rhythm. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, young Thomson stayed home and struggled with his multiplication tables while big bro Doug played bass in the British beat sect the Alan Brown Set. Doug and John Helliwell left this unit for Supertramp, and Ali began to see the benefits of an occupation in rock.
Ali started singing and playing piano with regional bands. In the mid-’70s, he moved to London and landed a songwriting gig at Mountain Records. Doug set up an audition for Ali at A&M, so Ali took a jumbo cross the water and relocated in California. “Take a Little Rhythm” was criticized for cloning Paul McCartney, but reached the Top 20.
The excellent follow-up “Live Every Minute” narrowly missed the Top 40. Ali helped Gary Wright return to the radio with the affecting “Really Wanna Know You” in 1981, but the younger Thomson is now a one-hit wonder casualty.
Words from allmusic.com
Discography
The Last Rodeo
P-Vine Records 2022
Tracks: Losing The Light, Wolves, Through The Storm (Bonus Track), Rays Of Gold, The Last Rodeo, Real World, Video Stars, Broken, Last Train... To Evermore, Chasing Ghosts, Lifted By Love, Stay Up Late & Walk The Dog.
Musicians to the Last Rodeo album: Ali Thomson, Robbie McIntosh, Robin Mullarkey, Katie Holmes-Smith, Marc Jordan, Paul Humphries, Adam Glasser, Peter Gordeno, Graeme Blevins & Triple H Horns.
Songs From The Playroom
P-Vine Records 2020
Tracks: Aqua Blue, Black Comedy, Song For A Broken Heart, Avalon Street, Dark Matter, Ride The Wave, Be The One, The Reason Why & Easy Love.
Musicians to the Songs From The Playroom album: Ali Thomson, Robbie McIntosh, Robin Mullarkey, Peter-John Vettese, Andy Caine, Katie Holmes-Smith, Triple H Horns, John Anthony-Helliwell, Sarah & Adam Baxter.
A Collection Of Songs
Beverly Records 1996
Tracks: Take A Little Rhythm (Rhythm ´96), Faith And Destiny, Cover Up, The Sucker Punch, Take A Little Rhythm, Live Every Minute, African Queen, Jamie, Hollywood Role, A Goodnight Song, Shell Lay Scattered, Safe And Warm, Foolish Child, Secrets Hide Inside & Someone In Motions.
Musicians on the A Collection Of Songs album: Ali Thompson, Paul Beavis, Ashley Reeks, Jim Williams, Peter Fordeno, Andy Caine, Richard Bailey, Jeff Phillips, Ted McKenna, Durban Laverde, Gerry McAvoy, Philip Wright, Alan Murphy, Williams C. Lyall, James Lacelles, Pete Filleul, Dave Rose, Julian Diggle, Charlie Spiteri, Dave Roach, Debi Doss, Carol Kenyon, Sylvia Mason, Sonja Jone, John Helliwell, Ed Goodman & Ray Cooper.
Deception Is An Art
A&M Records 1981
Tracks: Safe And Warm, Foolish Child, Don't Hold Back, Art Gallery, Shells Lay Scattered, The One And Only, Man Of The Earth, A Simple Song, Secrets Hide Inside, Someone In Motion.
Musicians on the Deception Is An Art album: Stuart Elliot, Philip Wright, William C. Lyall, Ray Cooper, John Anthony Helliwell and others.
Take A Little Rhythm
A&M Records 1980
Tracks: Take A Little Rhythm, Saturday Heartbreaker, Fool's Society, We Were All In Love, African Queen, Live Every Minute, Jamie, Page By Page, The Hollywood Role & A Goodnight Song.
Musicians on the Take A Little Rhythm album: Ted McKenna, Jeff Phillips, Richard Bailey, Durban Laverde, Gerry McAvoy, Philip Wright, Alan Murphy, Pete Filleul, James Lacelles, William C. Lyall, Dave Rose, Julian Diggle, Charlie Spiteri, Debi Doss, Philip Wright, Carol Kenyon, Sylvia Mason & Sonja Jones.
Take A Little Rhythm
A&M Records 1980
Tracks: Take A Little Rhythm, Saturday Heartbreaker, Fool's Society, We Were All In Love, African Queen, Live Every Minute, Jamie, Page By Page, The Hollywood Role & A Goodnight Song.
Musicians on the Take A Little Rhythm album: Ted McKenna, Jeff Phillips, Richard Bailey, Durban Laverde, Gerry McAvoy, Philip Wright, Alan Murphy, Pete Filleul, James Lacelles, William C. Lyall, Dave Rose, Julian Diggle, Charlie Spiteri, Debi Doss, Philip Wright, Carol Kenyon, Sylvia Mason & Sonja Jones.