Christine Thomas shares a state of bliss

This past November many people gathered at the Boise Little Theatre to support local singer/songwriter Christine Thomas with the release of her first solo album, titled “Neighborhood of Nine.” Performing the song “State of Bliss,” Thomas’s folk rock sound and artistic ensemble produced a positive vibe, and left several people to dancing in their seats, throughout the theatre.

Although Thomas’s sound has been compared to that of Natalie Merchant’s, she truly possesses her own unique style, her voice rich with passion. “Neighborhood of Nine” has a great mix of tunes that’ll make you want to get up and dance, and a few that’ll make you wish you were soaking in a tub surrounded by candles.

Thomas began her musical career in the late 1980s and has performed in the bands Major Lingo in Arizona, and Jackson Thorne and Trailer Park, both of Boise. Jackson Thorne and Trailer Park have played at popular venues such as Grainey’s, the Blues Bouquet, and have also performed in the Hyde Park Street Fair.

Thomas’s lyrics are emotive and genuine. She wrote the song “For Moni,” which she performs a cappella, as a tribute to her friend Monica who died of breast cancer. Thomas sang “For Moni” at a Boarding for Breast Cancer charity concert in Lake Tahoe. The songs lyrics are also displayed on the inside cover of the book “Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy,” by Author Geralyn Lucas. A portion of the proceeds of “Neighborhood of Nine” and of “For Moni” on iTunes will go towards the charity Boarding for Breast Cancer.

With such original lyrics, one could wonder where the creative intuition for her songwriting really comes from. Thomas admitted on stage that she sometimes has a hard time getting lunch dates with her friends as she habitually will turn their real life events into a song, hence the lyrics to “Tell Me What Happened.”

There were a few hands in the pot with the composition of “Neighborhood of Nine.” Listening to the songs you will also hear the talented sounds of a few of Thomas’s friends, including local artists Steve Fulton and Bill Coffey.

“Neighborhood of Nine” was number one at The Record Exchange for two weeks over the holidays, and number 45 on the top 200 selling albums of the year.

Thomas’s songs present a pleasant mixture of instruments from the cello, bongos, maracas, tambourines, and mandolin, to an assortment of guitars. Combine this with Thomas’s enticing, mesmeric voice and you have yourself an exquisite musical treat.

Tracey Sperling / Culture Writer

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