Tom Lewis: Biography and Media Information
Biography
As winner of the inaugural "Trophée Stan Hugill", French fans dub Tom "The Springsteen of Sea Chanteys". Old Songs Festival (Altamont NY) declares "This man knows the sea ... from the bottom up!", whilst Living Tradition (UK) says "Although I always knew he was good, I was not quite prepared for HOW good." 24 years in the British Royal Navy, "provides him with that vitally authentic stance with which to tackle nautical song" Living Tradition.
Tom's repertoire—from traditional shanties to songs fashioned out of his own seafaring background—recruits his audience for a voyage by turns reflective, dramatic and humorous. Now resident in Canada's Rocky Mountains, Tom was born in Northern Ireland and that Celtic heritage is obvious in his clear, strong voice, evoking quiet sorrow for a fisherman lost to the sea just as honestly as it powers out a shanty "to be heard above the gales."
With songs that have become folk standards; known and sung wherever great choruses ring out; Tom accompanies himself on button accordion and ukulele—but it's that powerful vocal style and infectious humour—that quality of entertaining—which keeps audiences coming back again ... and again.
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Sound Bites from the Critics "highly infectious ... I can't help but be caught up in the magic myself and add my own voice to the choruses."
"...full of emotion and rich in truthful detail."
"...the works of a greatly gifted songwriter.
His recordings are filled with a vibrant authenticity that is timeless."
"A consistently strong set that packs a wallop.
Fine stuff with real bite."
"It's impossible not to sing along."
"...a charismatic stage presence ... the tang of salt still lingers in his lyrics."
"A 'singer-songwriter' who is truly both halves of the hyphenate!"
"Tom has carved a niche for himself in the annals of maritime music, his traditional idiom song writing is up there alongside Tawney and MacColl".
"Thoroughly entertaining ... brimming with robustly resonant harmonies and songs, by turns traditional and contemporary, thoughtful and whimsical."
"Don't ask whether you should buy this album (360°).
Just decide on how many copies."
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Discography
SURFACING - Self-Propelled Music. ASM 101C & D (1987)
SEA-DOG, SEE DOG! - Rounder Records. FF 90547 (1990)
TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SINGER! - Self-Propelled Music. ASM 104C & D (1995)
MIXED CARGO - Borealis Records. BC116 & BCD116 (1999)
POLES APART - Self-Propelled Music. ASM 105D (2001)
360° ALL POINTS OF THE COMPASS - Borealis Records. BCD156 (2003)