REVIEWS 

 

Tom Lewis

"Born in Northern Ireland, though I suspect not many people would guess that, Tom Lewis spent 24 years in the Royal Naval Submarine Service and knows the life at sea of which he sings and writes. An increasingly high profile at Maritime Festivals plus regular UK club tours from his home in British Columbia means that this sea-booted ex-mariner, with the commanding voice and larger than life persona, is well-known to live circuit audiences with a taste for the salt-sea spray. This is his fourth album and it's the best thing he's done to date.

"Sounding confident, assured and accessible, Tom sails into some diffuse waters as the title would suggest. Indeed cover artwork showing him with all manner of cases and packages marked "Shanties", "Ballads", "Tom's Songs", "Humour", "Landlubbers' Songs" and so forth, sums up the content of this CD. He's taken the opportunity to record some old favourites such as 'All the Good Times' which I'll forever associate with Swan Arcade and 'Rolling Down to Rio' (words: R. Kipling; tune: Peter Bellamy). Added to which we have several 'own song' staples from his gigging repertory in 'An Ex-Sailor's Life' and the immensely enjoyable 'Showers'.

"When you add to these, material along the lines of 'Normandy Orchards' from the pen of Keith Marsden and the Everlys' 'Devoted to You', it might be suggested that too many bases are being covered, but this diverse mix really does work. Brimming with confidence, it's a release that is full of surprises and not one destined to preach only to the converted. Honest and unpretentious, there are emotional peaks in songs such as 'Some Mother's Son' a Lewis song made all the more poignant, bearing in mind his Belfast birthplace, and truly singable choruses (beasts long thought extinct!) as per 'The East lndiaman'. Accompanying himself on button accordion and (believe it) ukulele and joined here by such usual suspects as Mageean and Collins, amongst others, to good effect, this is a consistently strong set that packs a wallop. Fine stuff with real bite."
-Clive Pownceby
Bothy Folk Song Club


"It really is a pleasure to hear a singer-song writer who is, truly, both halves of the hyphenate!"
-John Beatty, Reel Times, Austin, TX

"Thoroughly entertaining ... brimming with robustly resonant harmonies and songs, by turns traditional and contemporary, thoughtful and whimsical."
-Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

"... confident, assured and accessible. Fine stuff with real bite."
-Living Tradition (U.K.) Magazine

"Tom is gaining recognition as one of Canada's finest folk singers. He gave a truly stunning performance the last time he played here."
Steve Edge, Rogue Folk, Vancouver, BC

"Tom has carved a niche for himself in the annals of maritime music, his traditional idiom song writing is up there alongside Tawney and MacColl."
-Seán Laffey, Traditional & Folk Music Directory

"If there is a folk equivalent of "Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie", it is RADIO TIMES by Tom Lewis. Time travel! World travel."
-Shelly Posen, Sing Out! Magazine

".... a charismatic stage presence ... the tang of salt still lingers in his lyrics."
-Stephen Pederson, Chronical-Herald, Halifax NS

"This album (Poles Apart) is highly infectious and as I listen to the voices blend on songs like "One More Day'' and "Leave Her Johnny,'' l can't help but be caught up in the magic myself and add my own voice to the choruses."
-M.R., Sing Out! Magazine

" ... the works of a greatly gifted songwriter. His recordings are filled with a vibrant authenticity that is timeless."
-Gerry Taylor, New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal

 

 

 

 

 

 

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