New Music Video for TOMORROW'S GONNA BE GRAND
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Video Highlights from Sonic Deli Records' 3rd Annual Benefit Concert for Epilepsy Toronto March 29, 2008 @ C'est What, Toronto, CANADA and featuring Jim Armstrong & The Sonic Deli Band (Sonic Deli recording artist/producer Jim Armstrong has had epilepsy since the age of 6. He underwent brain surgery in December 2003 which allowed him to return to live performance after a number of years away from the stage. Jim continues to manage his epilepsy with medication. For more info please go to www.epilepsytoronto.org )
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JIM ARMSTRONG - MUDTOWN
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Mudtown is a straight ahead alt-roots-rock album that shoots from the hip and aims at the heart. With his first solo CD, Mudtown, Toronto-based musician, Jim Armstrong, has crafted a collection of thirteen songs with musical and emotional hooks that stick unshakably with the listener. Released through Sonic Deli Records - May 2007.
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Armstrong is an accomplished singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who has spent many years performing (drummer and/or front man), developing and producing indie artists, as well as writing and recording for corporate clients. He has also scored films such as Canton Film Studios’ The Adulterer’s Guide to Toronto (2007). Now, he’s stepping authoritatively in front of the curtain to unveil Mudtown, his solo debut.
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The title and driving spirit of Mudtown were born during Jim's wanderings through downtown Toronto, where he lives, works and walks his dogs. Jim explains, "Life can be dirty, rough and mean, but there's a breed of people who struggle against the grind and somehow keep their humanity. They don't get hard, like the city, and that's what makes Mudtown liveable."
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"Jim is a genuine hero, an inspiration to all who are faithful to their art." - (Andy Frank, CIUT)
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He defends the underdog through his music by dispelling the modern myth of perfection. This is an album that the working class will understand. He writes songs about real characters from everyday life, singing their stories with passion.
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Early reviews of Armstrong’s new material have already drawn comparisons to the master singer-songwriters of Americana roots-rock: Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Tom Petty and Canada’s own Fred Eaglesmith, to the extent their music shares a working-class sensibility and honesty. Straightforward but rock-solid guitar, bass and drums dominate the tracks. Musical chops are provided by Armstrong himself (guitar, drums, keys, harmonica and more), unshakable bassist Wes Miller, backup vocalist Rob Maurin, and a roster of guests on backing vocals (Debbie Shessel, Amer Diab, Jennifer Claveau) and on lead guitar including Bruce Dies, Ron Bechard, Kenji Miura (aka Kenmi Chank) and Phil Kane. Up-tempo tracks like “She Spins Around,” sentimental tunes like “I’m Coming Home,” and the sing-along “Gypsy” are gestures to mainstream rock-pop. The image-rich “When it Rains” broods darkly in an alt-rock corner, while “Heaven Only Knows” is a rock-and-roll adrenaline kick.
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JIM ARMSTRONG - SELECT MEDIA & TESTIMONIALS:
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AmericanaOK host Tom Fahey says [of Mudtown] "...this album is a real grower...that's a very beautiful song there, Tomorrow's Gonna Be Grand, from a very fine album indeed.”
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Rene Leverink, AltCountryNL: “…let’s not beat around the bush; “Mudtown” is a beautiful record…”
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Jan Janssen, Real Roots Café: “…Armstrong reveals that he is not only a skilled songwriter but also a fine multi-instrumentalist and producer…beautiful radio songs…this is almost an hour of pure rock and roll adrenalin kick…”
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Benny Metton, CtrlAltCountry: “…with Mudtown he [Armstrong] steps out onto the floor and he does so particularly well…brings to mind the work of masters Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seeger, Tom Petty and compatriot Fred Eaglesmith.”
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Chris White, publisher, Party In Kingston: “… Mudtown is 13 highly clever tracks…witty lyrics, innuendos and inspiring messages…closest to a conceptual album I’ve heard in years…highly recommended for your audio library.”
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Dan Wolovick, Two Way Monologues: “…Armstrong is vibrant, fresh and enthusiastic…I haven’t heard an album that sounds this crisp, with such spectacular production, in a long time…”
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Todd Wachtel, The Jersey Toddshow: I can't stop playing this album [Mudtown]. I highly recommend it. Jim's got a wonderfully unique feel to him, and sets a fantastically cool mood.
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Bert Gagnon, Neon Productions Radio, Musictogousa.com “…Even though this is Jim Armstrong's first solo album, Jim is no novice to the music arena and it is very apparent as he has hit a homerun his first time out. Here is another artist that will be on our playlists for many years.”
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Andy Frank, CIUT 89.5 FM: “"Freed of some of the shackles of epilepsy, this gifted song-writer and multi-instrumentalist, with shades of Waits and Bachman, played his first live gig (post-op) at Healey's… Jim is a genuine hero, an inspiration to all who are faithful to their art.”
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Myrocia Watamaniuk, television host for Rogers Daytime Toronto: “When Jim sings, you know he’s singing from his heart.”
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Keith Ross Leckie, Emmy and Gemini award-winning writer/producer (Lost In The Barrens, Journey Into Darkness, The Arrow): “Over the years Jim Armstrong's music continues to surprise and entertain me. His first album "Brown Bag Lunch" revealed a strong and confident talent as a musician, singer, songwriter and arranger in different genres. And now his new album, "Mudtown", fulfills that promise again. I find myself looking for films to make that can take advantage of Jim's accomplished music.”
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E. Thomas Canton, Director/Producer: "As the director and producer … I found that working with Jim Armstrong and Andrea Poulis was not a matter of simply that the songs and the music created for The Adulterers’ Guide to Toronto were without a doubt Oscar caliber … I dare anyone not to agree with me."
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Jon Long (of the national Long & McQuade musical instruments stores): "Jim is an incredibly talented musician. His music needs to be heard."
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EYE Magazine: [re: Brown Bag Lunch] “If straight ahead, Q107-style radio rock bore more critical currency than lo-fi indie pop, Sonic Deli's unbroken social scene, ..ed on this label compilation, would be the one we're hearing about.” Howard Druckman
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Mark Papousek, Y101 Today's Best Country: "After having had the chance to listen to the Brown Bag Lunch CD a few times, I am impressed with the songs and the artists. I am sure that we will be hearing some of them on the airwaves very soon."
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The Spill Magazine: [re: Brown Bag Lunch] “The Sonic Deli is not a band. No, they are rather a unique collective of Toronto musicians, banded together in pursuit of better living through art … and while there are obvious differences stylistically between the artists, a common thread holds them all together…” Cameron Gordon
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Please check out Sonic Deli Records at http://www.sonicdelirecords.com to learn more - Sonic Deli has an extensive publishing catalogue available and Jim and Andrea work with a number of artists, both known and unknown. Open to submissions . They also write film and TV soundtracks; please contact them for licensing information.
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View Jim Armstrong & the Sonic Deli Band's EPK
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.. View Jim Armstrong at Emugga.com
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Jim Armstrong & Sonic Deli Band's Friend Space (Top 39)
Jim, How have you been? I loved the video...always loved the song..HAPPIER TIMES! I put the video on my page. We will be coming to Canada sometime this year. We had planned on this Spring, but my husband is having trouble getting his passport because his middle name is wrong on his birth cert. ...as soon as we get that taken care of..we'll be planning another trip. Sure hope we get to see you and the band perform while we're there. Keep up the great music! Love to you Debbie
the spring are trying to fight against the snow and finally it looks like spring here. have been some nice days with coffe in the sun in the garden.. .I recently drove H. to school. and after some minutes on the laptop. I will move outside... figuring out something to do...or to be true..finding out everything I am not going to do...ha ha...
time goes by. so fast these days... if you have some left over hours...please send them to me... I think I could need about. four more hours a day.......thanx.. and I wish you a great week.........rt...
finally some relaxing and great days...it's time for getting in to the world of music.close the doors..and go to the basement....that's life....hope your having a great time over there....
it sure is at this place for the moment....take care.............rt.
perhaps it's a little bit early,but I think I saw the easterbunny,jumping around looking for hidingplaces..anyways, I told him to look in your backyard..so don't be afraid. if some strange fellow with long ears. are jumping around searching for something...it might be the bunny looking for places to drop the eggs...have a nice day.........rt.
