"Beautifully recorded, reminiscent of early Ralph
McTell, Dougie Maclean or even The Incredibles"
Folk Roots Magazine
Neil sets music to traditional poems sung in Old Scots and writes
songs with unique observations inspired by the natural world.
His live performances have been described as "eclectic, relaxed
and intimate". Glasgow Herald with a gentle style of delivery
using fingerpicking/fingerstyle guitar performed in open tunings.
He plays bouzouki, mandolin and low whistle and performs
both solo and as a trio with fiddle and guitar.
Snawdraps' written in old Scots by Gerry Cambridge and set to
music by Neil became a joint winner of the 2016 Nòs Ùr
competition sponsored by Hands up for Trad.
In 2017 Neil relaunched Crieff folk Club and has recently
started as a DJ on Radio Earn presenting the folk show.
A new album is being recorded and he is working on a
joint project with Paisley Jazz Singer Evelyn Laurie
called "Silver Threads" which celebrates the
folk tradition of the historic town of Paisley.
Living Tradition Magazine
"Mellow and relaxing at times, reminiscent of Eric Bogle, Neil's songs cover a wide range of topics, namely, the Clydebank blitz, sectarianism, clipper ships, migration, relationships and hedgehogs! The 13 tracks include three instrumentals where Neil’s low-whistle is beautifully prominent. All are delivered at a subtle laid-backed pace, the words being sung clearly, and the accompaniment always discreet. Neil’s voice is warm and his careful and intimate lyrics offer food for thought amidst the peaceful atmosphere. Calm and smooth, Gandiegow is an album to feel at ease with".
Glasgow Herald Celtic Connections festival Britannia, Panopticon Music hall.
“No such hostile responses for either of the sets in last night’s programme. Gerry Cambridge (moothie) and Neil Thomson
( vocals/guitar), offered up an opening selection of gentle, often whimsical songs that occasionally jigged about but most often
harked back to poetic reflections ( some of them penned by Cambridge ). His The Thought of Snow - with music by Thomson -
had a curlicue of Incredible String Band-ishness to it that was utterly engaging, while adoggoneditty about canines, Banjo Blues,
was witty’n’nifty enough to make cat-lovers howl in appreciation”.
The List Magazine
“The year in the making debut album from Paisley Singer/ Songwriter Neil Thomson is a welcome alternative. Its 10 tracks of gentle and evocative folky listening, are more akin to a leisurely rural run, Thomson investing the whole with a James Taylor-esque peaceful assurance”.