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    October 13, 2010
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jazzman77's Reviews
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A proud milestone for guitar master Tom Principato
on January 13, 2011
Posted by: jazzman77
from NJ, USA
From the first chord to the last, the guitar master Tom Principato’s latest studio release, “A Part of Me,” is a winner in every sense.
Made up of all-original material written by Principato himself, the album offers considerable cross-over appeal with the elements of blues, rock, R&B, and funk present in good measure. The songwriting is strong throughout and shows a gifted composer at work, from creative and delightfully varied melodies that are free of clichés to thoughtful and story-telling lyrics.
Tom Principato’s music is all heart and soul, and “A Part of Me” is a particularly potent example of that, translating into music some of the most deeply felt life experiences. And after 40+ years of playing roots music and touring all over the world, Principato brings to this album an impressive prowess and versatility on both his guitar and vocals and is obviously still very much in love with his craft, playing and singing every note as if his life depended on it.
In addition to Washington, DC, area’s finest talent that makes up the Tom Principato Band, helping make this album shine even brighter is a star-studded cast of collaborating artists, which include Chuck Leavell (organ/piano, Rolling Stones), Willie Weeks (bass, Eric Clapton), Sonny Landreth (slide guitar), Brian Auger (keyboards), Jim Brock (drums), and Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns.
To make sure that this album is put together to his own and his collaborators' satisfaction, Tom Principato co-produced it with his long-time recording engineer Bob Dawson of Bias Studios, and they succeeded in capturing this powerful music in true high-fidelity sound that is full-bodied, rich, and warm. Album packaging, bearing beautiful and numerous family photographs taken over the years by Tom’s dad, who was a professional photographer, punctuates just how personal this work is to Tom Principato.
In the end, after around 40 minutes of music, “A Part of Me” makes a strong and staying impression with many memorable moments and reasserts Tom Principato's acclaim as one of the finest guitar players in the world. His intensive touring schedule has taken him all over the map in the last 40 years, including countless tours of Europe and playing with people like Sunnyland Slim, Big Mama Thornton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and yet he's constantly striving to improve. This recording is a true milestone of his long and exciting career, of which he has every right to be proud. In the world that's becoming filled up with sampled, over-produced music that lacks the soul and the talent, this album is as organic and honest as it gets, in the grand tradition of the 60s and 70s era that bore some of the very best American music.
What's great about it: Tom Principato at the top of his game, Great songwriting, All-original material, Inspired playing by all, All-star cast
I would recommend this to a friend!
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This program features eight music videos by guitarist Tom Principato including How's Your Sister and I Know What You're Thinkin'. This program also includes four songs performed by Principato that were caught on amateur video.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Rare footages of great talent
on December 6, 2010
Posted by: jazzman77
from NJ, USA
If you love rock, roots music, and blues, Tom Principato is certainly a name you can't ignore, and if you don't know of him yet, it's time to get real familiar with this incredible talent on the indy roots music scene. The DVD gives a great overview of Tom's lengthy (40+ years) career with footages shot between 1976 and 1998 and include appearances with the Powerhouse (Tom's old band), Albert Lee, Pete Kennedy, Danny Gatton, and Little Jimmy King. Tom's band is comprised of very talented musicians from Washington DC area. The production is refreshingly candid, and there's no reason not to be candid -- Tom is one of the best blues/rock guitarists in the world, and he proves that here in spades. The guitar playing showcased here is a real joy to watch and is as real as it gets. The passion and the fire emanating from each performance is consistent. The DVD includes professionally shot clips, as well as 4 cuts recorded with amateur video which are no less stellar. My personal favorite on this DVD is "Crosscut Saw", on which Tom Principato trades fiery licks with Little Jimmy King -- ssssmokin!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Just awesome all around!
on October 13, 2010
Posted by: jazzman77
from NJ, USA
The Washington DC guitar legend Tom Principato showcases some of the best, most original and passionate roots music with this recent release. Many of the songs are Tom's new compositions and vary in style from New Orleans to Funk to Blues Rock to Blues Reggae and anything in between. Several covers that he reworked for this album are soulful and passionately delivered. Tom's guitar playing is absolutely to die for -- fiery and masterful yet never overbearing -- and fans of electrical blues/rock guitar will really enjoy this. The singing and the lyrics are also the big part of what makes this CD so soulful and memorable. The supporting band is top-notch. This record is in heavy rotation, and I never get tired of it.
What's great about it: Tom's guitar playing and vocals, supporting band, compositions, song selection
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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