Blues CD Reviews 106
Tomislav Goluban with Crooked Eye Tommy
Nashville Road
Overton Music
Publicity: Blind Raccoon
Gator Blues Publishing © Dec 2024
On my last trip to Nashville, I was fortunate enough to catch Crooked Eye Tommy's last show before he left for Croatia, the very next day. On that trip he played a few shows with Tomislav Goluban, which ultimately led to Nashville Road being recorded back in Nashville. As Tomislav states "When I first heard 'Hot Coffee And Pain', a beautiful song from Crooked Eye Tommy, I knew that I wanted to create something with this man." Here is that creation.
Nashville Road features: Tomislav "Little Pigeon" Goluban on vocals and harmonica; (Crooked Eye) Tommy Marsh on vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar and lap steel; Eric Robert on keys; Jasco Duende on guitar; Doug Seibert on bass; Alfonso Wesby on drums; Bill Gilliam on upright bass; and Grady Clark on slide guitar. The album contains nine original tracks from Tomislav, with lyrical assistance by Jay Sieleman, Eric Noden, Mojo Parker, Kelly Zirbes and Tommy Marsh.
The opening track is an instrumental that is fittingly titled "Hard Run". It's an all-out smoker that features Tomislav leading the way with some highly exuberant harmonica runs; Tommy keeping up with the frantic pace while tearing it up on the electric guitar; Doug and Alfonso hammering out a thunderous rhythm on the bass and drums respectively; with Eric adding high powered piano highlights to the mix.
"Up Is Down" is the first of two tracks where Tomislav showcases his gritty, raspy and growly vocal textures. It's another of what will be many hard driving, rhythm fueled, dance floor filling, smokers.
Although the title of this song - "Bad Choices Make Good Stories" - didn't make the list, it definitely belongs there with those other most famous proverbs. Musically, being one of the more toned-down tracks, it gets to feature dynamite harp, guitar and piano highlights by Tomi, Tommy and Eric, respectively.
"Hip Hop Shake" has nothing to do with what we've come to know as hip-hop music, but sure as all get out, it will make you shake. It's a hard rockin' instrumental similar to the opening track. The only difference is that what the guys were doing on that one, they're now doing it harder and faster on this one.
There is bread on his table and his glass is full of wine; he's got someone whose smile makes him feel real fine; there is music in his ears and the rhythm makes him move; his soul fills with pleasure when he sees his baby groove. These, and much more, are exactly why "Life Is Good" for Tommy. This uplifting and inspirational track features some of Eric's best piano playing, Tomi and Tommy working their usual magic on the harmonica and guitar, respectively; and lively rhythm from Doug (bass) and Alfonso (drums). As long as there continues to be music like this, life will always be good.
The disc closes with a track titled "There Is A Train". For well over six minutes, Crooked Eye Tommy will mesmerize you with a masterful vocal performance as he tells the heartfelt story of that figurative train and its two destinations, heaven or damnation. And, as we all should have learned long before boarding, ain't no amount of money gonna change your destination. Led by Bill's deep upright bass lines, the rhythm on this ballad is precise; the contrasting acoustic guitar of Crooked Eye Tommy and the slide guitar of Grady are dazzling; and the laid-back, drawn-out harp leads from Tomislav create that perfect slow-moving train ride.
Other tracks on this excellent release are: "Rock Dog"; "Hard Candy"; and "Keep On Moving On".
If you've not yet received a copy of Nashville Road for airplay, please contact Betsie Brown at - www.blindraccoon.com - and should like to find out more about: Tomislav Goluban, just go to - www.goluban.com; and Crooked Eye, Tommy just go to www.crookedeyetommy.com. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.
