2024 – 8th Train Records
Release Date : July 20,
2024
By Phillip
Smith; July
6, 2024
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
I’ve been drawn to the music
of Tom Craig since reviewing his first album Get Ready For Me.
His follow up album Good Man Gone Bad continued to grab my attention
with its deep focus on blues. Craig’s third and most recent record Get
to Work feels like the third installment of his first trilogy. Craig brings
his troubadour-like smooth vocals, masterfully written songs, and big soulful
instrumentation to the studio for a grand listening experience. Produced by Mikey
Junior, Get to Work features Craig on vocals and guitar, Greg
Gumpel on lead guitar, Matt Daniels on rhythm guitar, Steven
Kirsty on saxophone, Bill Heid on piano/organ, Matt Raymon on
electric/upright bass, Michael Bram on drums, Dave Gross on percussion/fiddle,
and Mikey Junior on featured vocals/harmonica. Bringing the whole
package together, another favorite singer, guest Kat Riggins appears on
three tracks.
In a burst of horns and funky
rhythm, Craig rolls out a carpet of Sixties soul with his break-up song “As
Sure as I Can Raise My Hand”. His buttery vocals question the things that
happen when he’s gone in “Making Coffee”. Backed with a Latin beat, surf
guitar, and hot sax, this track lands as an absolute favorite. Title-track “Get
to Work” hits me with a wave of nostalgia as it swiftly strikes me as a follow-up
to that deeply-adored Blind Faith song “Can’t Find My Way Home”. It’s a
beautiful song. “Geneva Avenue” brings Craig and Riggins together
for a gorgeous and melancholy duet. It’s aways a treat to hear her sing. She
has a very lovely voice. Gumpel’s performance is awe-inspiring as every
note he plays on guitar seems to sob as it’s played. Mikey Junior steps
in on vocals for a funky blues/hip-hop infusion track called “I Showed My Hand
Too Soon”. Its infectious groove pulls me in for a fun ride indeed. The high-octane
soul of “Deal Breaker” is a riveting dose of sound therapy as the song barrels
through like a locomotive driven by Casey Jones. If Elvis were still
alive and playing Vegas, he’d have to cover this one. It’s absolutely fantastic.
“Mother to the World” brings the record to a close with a John Lennon-esque
touch as Craig sings of peace and love.
Tom Craig is a one-of-a-kind all-original artist who continues
to impress me with each and every release. Get to Work is as solid as an
album can get. I highly recommend this one.
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For more information about
Tom Craig, visit the website at https://tomcraigband.com
Catch up on previous PhillyCheeze
reviews featuring Tom Craig through this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=tom+craig
Catch up on previous
PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Kat Riggins through this link
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=kat+riggins
