| CD REVIEW (This review has also been published at www.701.com) |
| BRAND OF SYMPATHY - TOM SAVAGE |
| There are only a few tracks on this CD that would get much play time chez moi, simply because I found Tom�s vocals to be too one-dimensional to really enjoy the excellent instrumentation. There is a lot of potential for success on several of the tracks, though, as the compositions are solid and commercially appealing. I was immediately drawn in on the first track, �Barstool Conversations�, with the enchanting flute work, jangly guitar rhythm, solid bass line and pop-rock beat. The following title track could have been an early country-rock Rolling Stones effort, � la �Sweet Virginia� and, in fact, would be perfect for Mick Jagger�s vocal style. �Fallin� Apart at the Seams� also falls in this musical vein. �Here No More� compares favourably with just about anything by John Prine. The stand-out tracks are �Where Were You (When the Roof Caved In)?� which appealed to my Celtic heartbeat, and �Change My World�, distinguishing itself from the rest with a soothing organ foundation, provided by Lorne Whitby. �Lovin� Arms� would have been better placed after the wonderful instrumental with the intriguing title, �The Town Where the Food Is�, as it matches the instrumental�s Bruce Cockburn sensibility perfectly. The somewhat scorching guitar on the rocky �Ragged Road� has a lot of commercial potential, vaguely reminding me of another Tom (Petty), but you can definitely draw a parallel to Jethro Tull�s Ian Anderson where the flute work is concerned. Tom is expertly assisted by Vanessa Longul on flute and harmony vocals, Geoff Chown (the co-producer with Tom) on bass, Gary Barratt on drums, Zeke Mazurek on violin, Peter Jozsa on mandolin and Ann and Paddy Savage on backing vocals. This is the Kingston native�s follow-up to his 1999 d�but CD, Day-to-Day Truths, which received university ratio station airplay, as well as the CBC. Tom�s forte definitely lies in his composition and instrumental versatility but, as initially mentioned, it could have used some more effective vocalization. |
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