The Journey is the 7th studio album and celebrates the 50th year of releasing albums by Allan Thomas.
Recorded in a year and a half at the start of the pandemic that spread all over the world. The studio was about as safe a place as could be, as well as the ocean where I would surf and windsurf between session dates.
9 of the songs were written during this period of intense creativity and collaboration between my self and co-writers Ed Haaker, Bryan Kessler, Michael Ruff, and Andy Salvanos. Three of the songs were dug out of the unreleased gems catalog from the AT archives, so sweet for them to finally see the light.
Featuring Steely Dan and Sting drummer Keith Carlock, James Taylor and Elton John bassist Jimmy Johnson, Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder session guitarist Dean Parks, Joni Mitchell and Miles Davis sideman Michael Landau, Yellowjackets composer and pianist Russell Ferrante and my usual amazing backing greats Michael Ruff on keys, Bryan Kessler guitar, Olivia Ruff singing backups and several new surprise guests. (Source)
Tracks
1 The Journey (Allan Thomas) 04:30
2 Van (Allan Thomas; Bryan Kessler) 04:13
3 You Never Know (Allan Thomas; Ed Haaker; Michael Ruff) 04:11
4 It’s All Good (Allan Thomas; Ed Haaker; Bryan Kessler) 03:34
5 After The Storm (Allan Thomas; Bryan Kessler) 04:25
6 Devil’s Rock (Ed Haaker; Allan Thomas; Michael Ruff) 04:13
7 It Goes Without Saying (Allan Thomas; Bryan Kessler) 04:34
8 Love’s Way (Allan Thomas; Bryan Kessler) 03:56
9 So Far So Good (Allan Thomas; Ed Haaker; Bryan Kessler) 04:38
10 Real Life Love (Allan Thomas; Bryan Kessler) 04:17
11 Change Of Plans (Allan Thomas; Ed Haaker; Bryan Kessler) 05:41
12 The Invisible Man (Allan Thomas; Andy Salvanos) 04:00
Musicians
1 The Journey
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Acoustic Guitar | Allan Thomas |
| Keyboards | Michael Ruff |
| Background Vocals | Olivia Ruff |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
2 Van
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Guitar | Dean Parks |
| Keyboards | Michael Ruff |
| Background Vocals | Olivia Ruff |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
3 You Never Know
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Keyboards | Michael Ruff |
| Sax | Tripp Sprague |
| Background Vocals | Olivia Ruff |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
4 It’s All Good
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Guitar | Bryan Kessler |
| Keyboards | Michael Ruff |
| Background Vocals | Olivia Ruff |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
5 After The Storm
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Guitar | Mike Landau |
| Keyboards | Michael Ruff |
| Background Vocals | Olivia Ruff |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
6 Devil’s Rock
| Fretless Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Keyboards | Michael Ruff |
| Voice | Allan Thomas |
7 It Goes Without Saying
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | MB Gordy |
| Guitar | Bryan Kessler |
| Acoustic Guitar | Bryan Kessler |
| Acoustic Guitar | Allan Thomas |
| Keyboards | Michael Ruff |
| Percussion | MB Gordy |
8 Love’s Way
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Guitar | Mike Landau |
| Keyboards | James Raymond |
| Background Vocals | Amanda Frazier |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
9 So Far So Good
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Guitar | Bryan Kessler |
| Piano | Russell Ferrante |
| Pads | James Raymond |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
10 Real Life Love
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Guitar | Bryan Kessler |
| Organ | Michael Ruff |
| Piano | Michael Ruff |
| Background Vocals | Olivia Ruff |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
11 Change Of Plans
| Bass | Jimmy Johnson |
| Drums | Keith Carlock |
| Guitar | Mike Landau |
| Keyboards | Michael Ruff |
| Background Vocals | Olivia Ruff |
| Vocals | Allan Thomas |
12 The Invisible Man
| Chapman Stick | Andy Salvanos |
| Fender Rhodes | Michael Ruff |
| Piano | Michael Ruff |
| Pads | Jack Lee |
| Pads | Michael Ruff |
| Percussion | Michael Ruff |
| Drone | Paul Northfield |
| Voice | Allan Thomas |
| Percussion | Kevin Ricard |
Liner Notes
Producer – Allan Thomas
Producer (Associate) – Bryan Kessler
Producer (Executive) – Ed Haaker (Tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11)
Arranged By – Michael Ruff (Tracks 1, 3, 5, 6)
Mixed By – Paul Northfield, Allan Thomas
Recorded By – Allan Thomas
Recorded By (Backing Vocals) – Dave Tucciarone (Track 8)
Graphic Art – Bret Linford, Christel Janssen
Photography – Aaron Feinberg
In Association With Treble In Paradise Studios, Kauai, Hawaii
Copyright Allan Thomas
The Journey is the 7th studio album and celebrates the 50th year of releasing albums by Allan Thomas.