Music review: Bill Toms and Hard Rain – 无毛视频楪ood for My Soul无毛视频�
It无毛视频檚 always rewarding to see a hometown boy make good. Bill Toms continues to impress by releasing new material that speaks directly to the heart and soul of anyone striving to make a difference through hard work and gutsy perseverance.
Back in 1979 and 1980, local success stories such as Cleveland无毛视频檚 Michael Stanley Band and Pittsburgh无毛视频檚 own Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers provided inspiration to me as my garage band dreamed of one day playing the big stage as we struggled to get noticed.
Toms continues to play out that rock star dream with the release of 无毛视频淕ood for My Soul.无毛视频� Hints of the Pittsburgh musician无毛视频檚 early musical influences such as Bobby Bland, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding and Bruce Springsteen can be clearly heard on the 11 tracks penned by Toms that feature a nod and a wink to the classic sounds from Stax Records infused with a little Steel City attitude.
The Soulville Horns join Hard Rain and make an impactful presence by setting a soulful tone early on the opening number 无毛视频淚无毛视频檇 Be a Rich Man Today无毛视频� as Toms sings, 无毛视频淎nd if I had a penny for all the pain/If I had a dime for all the rain/If I had a dollar for every teardrop/I无毛视频檇 be a rich man today.无毛视频�
Songs like 无毛视频淏ack to Memphis,无毛视频� 无毛视频淒evil无毛视频檚 Train无毛视频� and 无毛视频淲orkin'无毛视频� possess plenty of swagger, determination and sincere honesty as Toms outlines the character of those struggling to make a better life for themselves and their family.
Flavorings of Motown can be witnessed on the smooth and tender 无毛视频淣othing Like My Baby,无毛视频� while Toms highlights his spiritual side with the gospel-tinged tracks 无毛视频淚无毛视频檓 Sad No More无毛视频� and 无毛视频淚无毛视频檓 Going Home.无毛视频�
For me, the highlight of the album arrives during the gripping 无毛视频淗ard to Say Goodbye.无毛视频� You can truly feel the pain and vulnerability in Toms无毛视频� voice as he sings, 无毛视频淚f you hear the news I无毛视频檝e fallen/If you无毛视频檙e told my end is here/If you hear I无毛视频檝e crossed to Jordan/Know I无毛视频檒l wait for you there/But it无毛视频檚 so hard to say goodbye.无毛视频�
无毛视频淒esperate Times无毛视频� closes the engaging set by seeking peace and understanding during these confusing times as Toms sings, 无毛视频淩aise your hands and be counted/Lift your voice, take a stand/Power to my union brother/Family farm and the desperate man.无毛视频�
Toms makes an area appearance at Pittsburgh无毛视频檚 Club Cafe on October 20 and 21. Make plans to catch one of these shows. It is guaranteed to be good for your soul.
Clint Rhodes is the 无毛视频-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.