Tom Corbett
Reviews
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Cloudless
Blue Sky January 2004 |
| After
years of earning respect from peers and audiences for playing
behind better-known artists, noted mandolinist/guitarist Tom
Corbett stepped into the spotlight as bandleader and songwriter
with his warmly received 2001 solo album Upstairs at Charlie’s.
Now, with his second album, Cloudless Blue Sky, he’s further
establishing himself as one of the most versatile acoustic artists
on the West Coast Americana scene. Cloudless Blue Sky declares its distinctions right from the cover, with a sterling list of folk, rock, blues and bluegrass pickers and singers, including first-call players such as multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz, Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo and Victor Bisetti, harmony master Herb Pedersen and critics’ darlings Robin & Linda Williams. Together with former Desert Rose Band bassist Bill Bryson, harmonicat Tom Ball, singer Jonathan McEuen, bassist Randy Tico, fiddler Phil Salazar, and banjoist Bill Knopf and guitarist David Ferguson from Corbett’s live-show trio, they weave a dynamic musical tapestry with Corbett as he plays in familiar fields of folk, acoustic swing and bluegrass. Longtime fans may be surprised to hear him also venture into blues and reggae. Those only familiar with his good-humored onstage persona will be even more surprised to hear the sober “Hello Dad,” a deeply personal ballad he wrote following his father’s death. Against a backdrop of guitars and hidalguera, Weissenborn, fiddles, mandolin, Dobro, accordion, banjo, harmonica, congas and other percussion, he explores reggae (“Island Calypso”), blues (“Something ’Bout the Blues”), mountain music (Joe Stuart and Mitch Jaynes’ “The Whole World ’Round”) and more familiar bluegrassy-folk. Throughout, he indulges his generous sense of humor, particularly on upbeat numbers like “When I Get My Wheels,” the requinto-flavored “Raging Bull” and Scott Foxx’s goofy “Fishin’.” He also quietly shows off his dexterous command of guitar and tenor banjo as well as his beloved mandolin on the instrumental “Mary’s Kissin’ the Quaker.” It all adds up to an enjoyably eclectic musical experience that’s a fine reflection of the players, especially Corbett himself. |
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BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED "Cloudless Blue Sky" November 2004 |
| While it's as a mandolinist and guitarist with the
(Acousticats and John McEuen's String Wizards) that Tom Corbett raised
his profile in the California acoustic music scene, it's as a songwriter
and singer that he struts his stuff on this, his second solo recording.
But solo is a misnomer here, as he's joined by a star-studded cast
of players and vocalists, including Robin and Linda Williams, Los
Lobos' David Hidalgo and Victor Bisetti, ubiquitous alt.country accompanist
Greg Leisz, banjoist Bill Knopf, fiddler Phil Salazar, and many others. Although
songs such as "Rear View Mirror" and "Let My Pony Run" fit
snugly into straight ahead bluegrass, they don't carry nearly as much spark and
originality as the rest of the album, when he draws on an eclectic range of other
musical styles to present his material. Hidalgo's accordion does a cultural leap
to Cajun on the album's infectiously bouncy opener, "When I Get My Wheels." while
Leisz and harmonica player Tom Ball get an extensive (seven minute plus) workout
on the dark "Something 'Bout The Blues." "Island Calypso" and
on "New York Evening" are gently syncopated folk-pop ballads that show
Corbett's gift for a memorable and well-sung melody. His two covers choices on this CD are savvy ones. The Dillards' "Whole World 'Round" has a stripped-down old-time feel, while Scott Foxx's "Fishin'," is a playful and amusing acoustic swing tune that should appeal to anglers and their long suffering companions. When forced to let his fingers do the talking for him, as on the Celtic instrumental suite coyly titled "Mary's Kissin' The Quaker," Corbett's guitar,mandolin and tenor banjo skills show him to be a triple threat. But as "Cloudless Blue Sky" closes with a spare duet (with Jonathan McEuen) version of a moving and intimate song of an adult son's too-little/too-late reconciliation with his father, "Hello Dad," it serves to remind the listener that Corbett is a gifted songwriter. One hopes that this album won't be the last chance to hear more of his fine work.__HK |
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Links w/ additional reviews |
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SING
OUT! Fall 2004 Vol. 48 #3 Cloudless Blue Sky Roundhole 51262 |
| A year or two back, Tom Corbett and his friends recorded
a fine album called "Upstairs at Charlie's", filled with
solid harmony and great instrumental work. "Cloudless Blue Sky" follows
in "Charlie's" footsteps, offering sparkling versions of
11 songs and one instrumental. Corbett's joined by a high profile
guest list that includes Herb Pedersen along with Linda and Robin
Williams, guaranteeing the same vocal and instrumental excellence
as on the first album. Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of "Cloudless Blue Sky" is its eclectic set list. Corbett's no nonsence version of "Fishin," thrown into high gear by Tom Ball's harmonica and Phil Salazar's fiddle, is more jazz than folk, while the seven minute "Something 'bout the Blues" indulges in a heavy Delta grove. "On a New York Evening" adds bit of Tex-Mex, while the instrmental "Mary's Kissing the Quaker" delves into new acoustic territory. The instrumental work by mandolinist/guitarist Corbett, banjoist Bill Knopf, harmonica player Ball, and many others tie these various strands neatly together. It also doesn't hurt that Corbett's a warm singer with enough weathered edges to carry each lyric's philosophical water.When he sings about looking back in "When I Get MY Wheels," or "Rear View Mirror," he's a narator passing on his own honestly earned experience. When he's hoined on vocals by Pedersen on "New York Evening" or Robin and LInda Williams on "Raging Bull," the results are beatifully harmonious. "Cloudless Blue Sky" will please fans of "Upstairs at Charlie's" and anyone keen on second-generation newgrass._RL |
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Up
Stairs at Charlie's |
After years of eliciting enthusiastic applause from audiences and solid respect from fellow musicians, as well as music critics, mandolinist Tom Corbett is finally stepping out from his comfortable role as sideman to show he's got the goods as a songwriter and bandleader. His debut solo album Upstairs at Charlie's is an 11-song smorgasbord of acoustic music performed by a stellar crew of bluegrass, folk and country musicians. Peers who contribute swinging instrumental and vocal support include vocalist/banjoist Herb Pedersen (founding member of the Desert Rose Band and the Laurel Canyon Ramblers, sideman for Flatt & Scruggs, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt), bassist Bill Bryson (Desert Rose Band, Laurel Canyon Ramblers, Dan Fogelberg, Bluegrass Cardinals), Dobroist Greg Leisz (Dave Alvin, k.d. lang, Beck, Gillian Welch, Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell), guitarist Albert Lee (Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers), guitarist Raul Reynoso (New West, the Rhythm Brothers), fiddler Paul Shelasky (Good Olâ Persons), blues harmonica player Tom Ball and jazzy bassist Randy Tico. The fruit of Corbett’s own compositional efforts can be heard on Upstairs at Charlie’s – a fun, interesting blend of bluegrass, acoustic swing, country and folk. His eight original songs are complemented by jaunty interpretations of Bob Wills’ classic "Brain Cloudy Blues" and the old Stovall/George/McBride chestnut "Lonesome Joe From Kokomo," plus a lovely instrumental rendition of the traditional "Farther Along" that’s well-served by his soulful mandolin playing. As a musician, he’s known for his gift for listening and for finding just the right parts to serve the song; as an artist making his solo debut, he once again eschews showboating and puts the music first, with delightful results. "Tom asked me to make up some nice things to say after listening to his new CD, Upstairs at Charlie’s" said Jonh McEuen. "I don't have to make anything up!" McEuen exclaims. "This work shows off his talents for hot picking and the arrangement of hot pickers around him . He shines. It allows for great interchange with the other excellent players. The only thing better would be to see him do it live, as I have had that pleasure of Mr. Corbett's chops in my own music. In the words of many in the valley he lives in: check it out!" |
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