Search - Tommy Malone :: Soul Heavy

Fat Tuesday's No Slim Pickin's

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 02/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Last year I stumbled upon a favorite CD by Glen Phillips called "Abulum" without ever hearing Toad the Wet Sprocket. This year I'm grooving to Tommy Malone's "Soul Heavy" without ever hearing the Subdudes! "Don't know nothin' bout no sududes," but this CD is a blast from start to end. "Fat Tuesday" is not slim pickings, it's great addictive pop folk, "Come to find out we are all connected," Malone sings in a Kenny Loggins croon. "Virginia Street" is great funking jazz with the guitars riffing up a storm. Several times on this CD, I keep expecting Sam & Dave to come on blaring. "Too Close for Comfort" is classic soul that'd be at home beside S&D's "Soul Man." "Soul Heavy" is a light jazz sway. Malone sounds like Steely Dan with a Spanish guitar on the pop sax acoustic track "Somebody Got Caught." "Hold On" is not Sam & Dave's "Hold On I'm Coming," but it's hot classic soul & just as funky. The pace slows on "Mothers," an electric ballad about watching your kids. (I'm gonna burn a CD with this track, Shana Morrison's new "Mother" off "7 Wishes" & Shelby Lynn doing John Lennon's "Mother" on "Love Shelby" for Mother's Day!) "Real" is jazz funk with some flagrant electric guitar, "Me & the fellas wanna talk some ..., suckin' 'em down & takin' the 5th!" "Oh Baby" is rocking ragtime with a lead guitar that skitters across the bridge. The CD concludes with a soft acoustic guitar tune, the wistful "Lead You To My Door." So while I may "know nothin' 'bout no subdudes," I certainly click with Mr. Tommy Malone's "Soul Heavy." Enjoy!"

The Soul of the Subdudes

Lee Armstrong | 09/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you loved the subdudes, get this CD! Tommy Malone is back in his element and his soulful voice and brilliant guitar are front and center in his first solo outing. Excellent, multi-layered songwriting with more variety than he has displayed in the past. Everything from swampy blues and funk to folk to jazz influences crop up. Less blazing guitar than he showcased on Tiny Town's only CD, but his role in that band was more lead guitarist than frontman/singer. His trademark slide guitar is back, too. This guy deserves to be a major star. He has had lously luck with his other bands and prior record labels. Spread the word!"

Down along the bayou

Russell E. Scott | Austin, TX | 08/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tommy Malone has traveled down enough crooked roads, had more near misses than any deserving, gifted musician should. With the subdudes, he fronted a special blend of folk, rock, funk, blues, and gospel. They had a huge, devoted following, and were as close as you could come to breaking big, but somehow totally missed. Not to be deterred, he formed Tiny Town with former band mates and friends. After an initial excellent album, they were full of promise, then nothing. Gone the way so many bands do. You think he might give it up and throw in the towel, but no - this man was born to write and play music, very good music. Tommy returns triumphant with SOUL HEAVY. This is the sound of basic honesty, a man who accepted his situation and arrived better because of it. His music is introspective, intimate, and accessible. "Fat Tuesday" opens with that familiar guitar riff and vocals that set you at ease. We know there's a story to tell and we're all ears. At once recognizable, but something more, this album is the one hidden in his heart, seeing the light of day. "Soul Heavy" is his personal ballad of love found; we're glad he shared. This album is full of great material; think Paul Weller with roots. "Somebody Got Caught", "Mothers" and "Lead You To My Door" signify a man who's comfortable and confident with his craft. Like a great pair of old jeans that fit perfect; you wear them so often, you wear them out. Favorite of favorites, you can't wait to get up and put them on again."