"Tommy Womack has been kicking around the music business for about two decades, as a member of the Bis-quits, a backing musician and a solo artist. He's released a string of excellent solo CD's going back a decade now, which have garnered a lot of critical attention but little commercial success beyond a small group of devoted fans.
It's hard to understand why, because Womack has all the tools. He sings in a rough but expressive way, and plays a mean guitar. His greatest gift, though, is his inspired songwriting. He writes strong and distinctive melodies, and his lyrics reveal a rare intelligence and wit. It's strange that no other artists have covered Womack's material. But success as either a performer or writer has remained elusive, and apparently this has taken it's toll on Womack's personal life.
There I Said It is his best work yet, a joy from start to finish. Much of the material is autobiographical, reportedly drawn from his struggles to be a family man and a musican living in his fifth decade, with stardom no closer than it was at age 20. The listener soon gets the feeling, however, that the worst is over for Womack, and that he has acquired the wisdom and self-awareness to go on. His quirky and original sense of humor keeps even his darker songs from becoming too maudlin. The highlight is Alpha Male & the Canine Mystery Band, a funny and affecting rumination on being a musician, husband, father and hourly worker.
Fans of Todd Snider and John Prine, among others, will love this recording, but anyone who appreciates great songwriting in their rock & roll will enjoy this CD."
Well Said
John F. Matts | Flint MI | 03/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Life giving you the blues?Take a dose of Tommy Womack,s "There I said it."One Saturday driving between the Post Office and the Bank I happened to hear " alpha male and the canine mystery blood," on the X.I was hooked. I aquired the cd and had one of the best afternoons in recent years listening to the tunes and reading the liner notes,(best I,ve ever read.)My wife and I were reduced to tears of laughter.Thanks for the catharsis,Tommy.We have Closure."
Thank you tommy womack
E. Skorupski | 02/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"buy this disc if you think americans are smart, deep, happy, sad, and funny. Womack is. His gift is worth the price of admission."
A Songwriter's Journey
John Carroll | Alpharetta, GA USA | 03/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The thing I like the best about this album is that it ebbs and flows with an edgy sense of doom at any minute. Kind of like life. "I worry often. I live in terror of what life may have in store"(Nice Day). I hear what you're saying Womack and I'm glad you've got the guts to lay it on the line. A Cockroach After the Bomb rants and rocks and just keeps spewing out confessional truths until there's nothing left to say except "I'll go to my grave knowing I took me a chance". Damn straight Womack- you did take a chance. You could of given up a few years ago when things went black, but you found strength in your family, God, and music. The skinny white boy can still lay down a groove too- check out Flourescent Light Blues(nice guitar solo). Good production by John Deaderick. Well mixed record with fine backing musicians who only play to complement the messages in the songs. Rock on TW."
Call the engravers now - Womack flat out nails the best albu
RoadieDad | Sewickley, PA USA | 02/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I cried, I laughed, I winced, I sang along and I got my socks rocked off! Then I looked in the mirror and realized that these songs hit awful close to home. The album is about Womack finding himself facing a new post-rock & roll world after forty as a family man trying to make ends meet. But the words still find a way to reach just about everyone staring down the "other side of the hill" and wondering just what the heck you do after pouring more than half your life in to something only to find out it didn't quite work out as planned.
The title song finds Tommy proclaiming "I'm never gonna be a rock star..." then admitting it is time to move on maybe "...There I Said It". Ironically enough that admission, and the aftermath of opening the floodgates and letting loose a torrent of truthfulness in song rarely heard in this day and age, may be the catalyst to finally propel Womack to rock star status!
At the least, you won't be disappointed in this album. For many though this album will be a downright cathartic experience!
For fans of fellow Nervous Wrecks Todd Snider and Will Kimbrough as well as the likes of Hayes Carll, Bobby Bare Jr, John Prine, Keith Sykes, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Paul Thorn and more.