Horizon Records, Inc

Description

"Ever get the feeling that a lot of "sensitive" male singer/songwriters are just a little too in touch with their feminine sides? Tired of songs that sound like the singer's therapy sessions now define their lives?Are you sick of wimps with acoustic guitars? Meet the antidote: Tommy Elskes (pronounced els-kiss). Elskes' new album Bohemia is a category-defying outing, touching most genres of American popular music including rock, country, folk, blues, R&B, jazz, and even Zydeco. No whine-fest for Freudians here; Mr. Elskes is man enough to deal with real adult issues, such as aging(“Too Fat To Fly”, Loneliness(”Boulevard"),"), or finding contentment in simple things(“King Of Dixie”) across six original tunes and eight covers. Whether singing about faded dreams(“Jenni’s Not Coming Home”) or pleading his affection for a woman wronged (“Try Me”), Elskes’ voice exudes a maturity borne of too many nights playing in smokey barrooms and from having been around the block a few times. Marvelous production and a large cast of crackfire musicians richly compliment the songs. Stuart Hutto’s airy and haunting french horn floats above Elskes’ plaintive flat-picked guitar, as John Hagen’s cello bouys “Jenni’s.” Tony Campise’s swinging New Orleans clarinet sets the mood for “Bohemia.” Riley Osbourn’s Hammond B-3 organ adds a sweet ‘70s retro vibe to “As The Crow Flies.” The stripped-down version of “Walk Away Rene” (yes, that AM radio chestnut) with just voice, finger-picked guitar and bare-bones percussion (giving way to an instrumental break of french horn and strings) highlights the deep sadness of that song more than any other version you have likely ever heard. There are simply more strong performances and tasteful tunes than can be listed here. File this one with your Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, and John Hyatt records - break it out to enjoy with a stiff adult beverage and a contemplative mood. —Jim Thomas - Southeast Performer Magazine "Tommy Elskes delivers pop rock, folk, country, blues R&B and even a touch of Cajun music on his versatile, listenable second album. His voice reeks of sincerity and sensitivity!" —Buddy Magazine Journeyman musician Tommy Elskes sounds like a roadhouse veteran on his second album, Bohemia. This makes an excellent calling card for his live show and could help him graduate from those bars to better paying gigs. —All Music Guide Austin, Texas develops some of the best and most memorable musicians ever to grace the stages or the studios of this grand land. Well, another has been delivered. His name is Tommy Elskes. Although the man doesn't hail from that part of the country, he sure learned a few licks along the way. From start to finish this CD really impressed me. Tommy's strong vocals and standout lyrics are some of the reasons why each song holds its own right alongside some of the more and successful artists that we have come to know and appreciate. His performance level easily matches performers who have household names, such as Springsteen and Taylor. This CD is full of richly diverse styles. Elskes brings a full plate to the table, with a mighty strong blues feel to it.

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