Search - Tom Constanten :: Grateful Dreams

Great musician, disappointing outing

paul pirate | New York, New York | 11/09/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Constanten has always been a hero to this Dead fan, a major contributor to the three most creative albums (Anthem, Aoxo, Live/Dead) of the band. If his autobiographical version of his problems with Mickey Hart is true, what an unfortunate turn of events for the Dead's future - perhaps the conservatism of Workingman's Dead was inevitable, but it broke my heart.
Back to Tom: great chops, great ideas, great execution - and don't forget the experimentation of Touchstone/Tarot, the collaboration with Jorma Kaukonen (Dead meets Airplane for real), et al. What a prospect this album had: solo, live, eclectic mix, a chance for a real show of his best qualities. Some of the numbers rise to their potential, but what I hear is rusty chops, Winston-like performances ("Let It Be," for gd's sake), and, saddest of all, formulaic improvisation all over the place. This feels like an intimate evening and was no doubt special in person, particularly with Tom's personality on display; but it feels like a series of rough cuts from tapes, an afterthought. Clearer ears might have said, "Nice concept; let's do another take!" I hope the new one is a return to form."

Constanten For Muzac President

Jo-Ann Lucchese | Brooklyn, NY United States | 10/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Constanten is such an amazing keyboardist, that trying to use the word "tasteful" to describe him seems stale. He can amazingly recreate popular pieces to a new realm of "class" with his fingers. His approach to performing is as close to perfect as one can get. He has a joyous personality, with many awesome tales to tell - he's a master of knowledge of the early DEAD days and you can sense the shine of his eyes as he tells them. Then he plays piano for you and takes off into incredible themes and montages he has arranged of other's works and material he performed back in the day with the DEAD. A masterful live set. This man needs to be played in elevators everywhere. The world would be a better place."

Tom Consnanten , Is the BEST pianst in the WORLD!!

paul pirate | 01/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am amazed, Tom is the best pianst you will ever run across. This cd is soo good! Tom is a friend of mine I have heard him play other songs, but beleve me.. this is a wonderful cd!!"