|
Thom Swift
Into the Dirt
• Winner of the 2008 Canadian Maple Blues Award for New Artist of the Year
• Winner of the 2008 East Coast Music Award for Blues Recording of the Year
• Winner of the 2008 Music Nova Scotia Awards for Musician of the Year and Blues Artist/Recording of the Year
• Winner of a 2008 CBC Galaxy Rising Star Award
• 2009 Nominee for two Canadian Maple Blues Awards, including Acoustic Artist of the Year & Songwriter of the Year
With his well-travelled guitars, rich and soulful voice, insightful writing and casual wit, Swift warms audiences everywhere he performs. In Spring of 2007, Swift teamed up with producer/engineer Charles Austin (Buck 65, Joel Plaskett, Matt Mays) to record ten original songs at Echo Chamber Studio in Halifax.
Released nationally on September 4, 2007 by Festival Distribution, Swift’s much-anticipated solo debut Into the Dirt features some of Canada’s top musical artists. Swift, who plays acoustic guitars, resonator guitars, banjo and mandolin on the recording, is joined by drummer/ percussionist Geoff Arsenault (Ray Bonneville, Mary Jane Lamond), Brian Bourne (Rawlins Cross, DRUM!) on electric bass and chapman stick, Chris Corrigan (Rita MacNeil, Mary Jane Lamond) on electric guitar, PEI songstress Rose Cousins vocals, New York blues artist Guy Davis on didgeridoo and harmonica and B3/piano legend Bill Stevenson.
From the brawny groove of the title track “Into the Dirt” to the infectious ragtime-inspired guitar work showcased on “Hackett’s Cove Rag”, to the country-roots feel and dobro highlights of “Crying Shame” to the uplifting stride piano piece “My Sweet Baby You”, this is an album that engages all who listen.
Drawing inspiration from finger-style master Mississippi John Hurt, the songwriting of Tom Waits and Emmy Lou Harris, the melodies of jazz great Charlie Haden, and his father’s operatic voice, Swift delivers a distinctive blend of folk, blues, country and rag style.
"Masterfully produced Into The Dirt sonically alludes to what might happen if Tom Waits and Mark Knoffler ever put themselves in the hands of legendary Canadian producer Daniel Lanois. An impressive, rewarding listening experience for those who enjoy tonally-textured song and soundscapes, classily performed." - JazzEast Rising Magazine, Halifax, NS
Swift is a member of the 2007 Canadian Maple Blues Award-winning and ECMA-winning group Hot Toddy Trio. With eight albums to their credit and a career that spans over 12 years, the group is a regular on festival scenes.
www.thomswift.com
|
|
