2021 – 8th
Train Records
By Phillip Smith; Sep. 11, 2021
In the making of Good Man
Gone Bad, Tom Craig states his goal for the album was to make it
100% blues. He definitely
succeeded. This collection of thirteen
all-original songs was recorded at Buckeye Recording in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and produced by harp-master Mikey Junior. It has a natural flow from beginning to end,
giving the listener an enhanced album-oriented experience. With Craig on guitar and vocals, his band
is comprised of Dave Gross on bass guitar, Vin Mott on drums, Eric
Johnson on Hammond organ and Mikey Junior on harmonica.
The record opens with Craig’s blue-collar, working-class love song called “Working Too Hard”. This infectious track is loaded with hot guitar licks and Junior’s blistering harp playing. It’s a terrific song. It rolls quite nicely right into “What a Man’s Gotta Do”, which wins me over with its cool beatnik rhythm and twangy guitar tone. Craig’s vocals are velvety smooth as he sings “It’s All My Fault”. This slow, bluesy ballad is perfectly crafted from beginning to end. It’s a genuine blast to rock out to “Sheepdog”. I enjoy the Z.Z. Top Texas-blues vibe. Craig lays the facts on the line in “When You Love a Blues Man” as he masterfully serves up another delicious platter of smoldering blues. The funky groove woven through “Headhunter” is absolutely fabulous. It lures me in like a moth to a flame. A tantalizing concoction of funk, soul, and blues is crafted into the framework of “I Like Soul in My Blues”. Sung with a polished voice and topped with horns, it’s positively a delightful listen.
I’ve been a fan of Tom Craig’s since reviewing his 2017 album Get Ready For Me. His talent runs deep, as does my appreciation for his music. Good Man Gone Bad is a gem of an album. Blues fans will surely want to hear this one.
For more information about the artist, visit this website : tomcraigband.com
