TOMMY TALTON NEW CD "SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF EDEN"

Tommy Talton: vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, harmonies
[slide guitar and organ on intro Track to #4]
Chris Donohue: bass/ all songs
Bryan Owings: drums/ all songs
Steve Conn: organ/ tracks #3, #4, #11, accordion/ Track #2
John Ginty: organ/track #10
Kenny Head: organ, piano/ track #8
David Keith: percussion, congas/tracks #3, #5
Chuck Leavell: piano/track #5
Jeff Mosier: banjo, harmony vocals/track #7
Spooner Oldham: Wurlitzer piano/track #9
Deborah Reece: vocal harmonies/tracks #3, #6, #10
Ike Stubblefield: organ/track #9
Markham White: vibrato guitar/tracks #1, #6
Randall Bramblett: tenor sax/track #1
Tom Ryan: baritone sax/track #1
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All songs written by F.T.Talton
except "I Surrender" by F.T.Talton/Corrina Jo Music and Spooner Oldham/Spoon Rox Music/ both ASCAP
All drums and bass recorded by David Pinkston, Hendersonville, Tn.
overdubs and mixing recorded @ AfterDarkDesigns Studio, Smyrna, Ga.
Mastered by: Pat Patten/Jamgood Mastering
Mixed by Markham White and Tommy Talton
Graphis: Terry Bradley
Photography: Steven Gondek
Produced by Tommy Talton
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2017 – Tommy Talton

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/04/tommy-talton-somewhere-south-of-eden.html

Review By Phillip Smith; April 1, 2017

It’s been almost three years since Tommy Talton’s previous release Until After Then hit the airwaves. That one was quick to grab my attention with its lyrical and stylistic twists. His latest, Somewhere South of Eden, continues to feed my fascination with prolific lyrics and lush melodies. Backed by bassist Chris Donohue (Emmy Lou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krauss) and drummer Bryan Owings (Tony Joe White, Buddy Miller, Emmy Lou Harris), Talton is also joined by several spectacular guest musicians such as Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Allman Brothers), Spooner Oldham, Ike Stubblefield, John Ginty, Steve Conn (Sonny Landreth, Bonnie Raitt), Kenny Head (John Barry, Georgia Satellites), Jeff Mosier (Col. Bruce Hampton) on banjo, and saxophonists Randall Bramblett and Tom Ryan.

“Somewhere South of Eden”, a beautiful melancholy number flowing with soothing twangy slide, takes a hard look at mortality. This song shows without a doubt Talton belongs at the top of the list when it comes to the songwriting greats. I absolutely adore the buttery hypnotic hook in “Poblano”, a wonderful Latin-inspired instrumental with worldly beats from David Keith on congas and piano accompaniment from Chuck Leavell. It’s always a pleasure to hear the funky keyboard wizardry of John Ginty. His contribution to southern jam-friendly rocker “Waiting on the Saints” sounds fantastic amid Talton’s bodacious guitar licks. “Don’t Go Away Sore”, featuring a terrific banjo performance from Jeff Mosier is a big bowlful of bluegrass fun. It puts a grin on my face which stretches from ear to ear.

The esteemed Tommy Talton has definitely crafted one hell of an album with Somewhere South of Eden. I highly recommend it.




________ELMORE MAGAZINE ALBUM REVIEWS:_____________

Tommy Talton
Somewhere South Of Eden
Album Reviews | March 27th, 2017
Artist: Tommy Talton
Album: Somewhere South Of Eden
Label: Independent
Release Date: 03/17/2017
90

When you write lyrics like “The hands on the clock seem to knock at your door with a message you’ve fallen from grace,” you get Duane Allman banging at your door. Tommy Talton wrote that exquisite phrase for the title song to his new album, Somewhere South of Eden.

Talton began penning clever songs over 45 years ago as the co-leader of Cowboy, the multi-faceted, country-tinged quintet; Allman really did bang on their door, demanding at the crack of dawn to hear Cowboy play. Impressed, Allman helped get Cowboy signed to Capricorn Records, the venerable institute of Southern Rock. Talton’s become steadily stronger at his craft ever since. Eden plays like a verdant journal of lives intertwined, personal and grand, all expressed from the perspective of a Southern gentleman. Plus, he conveys the wide musical variety in an impressively spry singing voice. Right off in “I Can’t Believe It (I’m Going Home),” a pure, soulful joy ensues about the realization that after all is said and done, bonds between people are what matter most. Then, a bluesy lilt underscores “Hard Situation,” the sweet accordion by guest Steve Conn lightening the feeling of desperate loneliness we all feel on occasion.

Talton’s also an excellent guitarist, and his sweet, bluesy licks call to mind those of his departed friend, the Marshall Tucker Band’s stunning Toy Caldwell. Talton also speaks his mind through words and great guitar in the topical, universally pleading “We Are Calling.” “Don’t Go Away Sore” rides an old-timey mountain beat, and “I Surrender”—the only song co-written on the album, with none other than Alabama Swamper Spooner Oldham— hangs dreamily in the profound heat of the moment. Both songs ponder undying love with beautiful gifts of words. Placed as an interlude, the Latin-spiced, shakin’ “Poblano” features Chuck Leavell rolling on piano, as fine a musician as there is to jazz up that kind of an instrumental run. Among the many elite guests, drummer Bryan Owings and bassist Chris Donohue hold down the rhythms on this exceptional, deeply enjoyable album of real songs.

—Tom Clarke



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