Search - Tom Maxwell :: Samsara

Samsara
Tom Maxwell
Samsara
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (15) - Disc #1

For his post-Zippers debut, former Squirrel Nut frontman Tom Maxwell shows great skill at mixing musical languages. For starters, he opens with a sona solo (that's a Chinese reed instrument, natch). Then he kicks in wit...  more »

     
?

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Tom Maxwell
Title: Samsara
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Redeye Distribution
Original Release Date: 5/5/2000
Re-Release Date: 5/16/2000
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 634457127128

Synopsis

Amazon.com
For his post-Zippers debut, former Squirrel Nut frontman Tom Maxwell shows great skill at mixing musical languages. For starters, he opens with a sona solo (that's a Chinese reed instrument, natch). Then he kicks in with a pair of horn-heavy rave-ups--"Sixes and Sevens to Me" and "The Uptown Stomp." What stands out in the swing department is Maxwell's more cabaret-touched approach, less about Setzerian flash and more about energetic detail and drama. Just as a sona solo opens the album, so too two other Buddhist numbers appear: "Some Born Singing" and the title track, both sung by Holly Harding Baddour. She has a voice that peaks and wavers on these Asian-tinged numbers and then swaggers on "If I Had You," a sultry cabaret swinger. Maxwell moves in other directions, too: "Flame in My Heart" is a George Jones tune, faithfully rendered, "Three Fire Blues" is Maxwell as a solo guitar bluesman, and "You Always Get What's Coming" has the leader duetting with Tom Loncaric on pipe organ. Samsara's an ambitious outing, as big in scope maybe as are Maxwell's spiritual notions. This is also an immense creative success. --Andrew Bartlett

Similarly Requested CDs

 

CD Reviews

Genre defying masterpiece
05/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"don't let this solo release from former squirrel nut zippers frontman fool you - this ain't no swing record! there's swing on it...but it ain't no swing record. it's much much more than that.delving deep into a treasure trove of styles tom maxwell has created a mature, musical excursion through a multitude of different styles that are all, in one way or another, thematically linked to the buddhist concept of samsara. maxwell's unique ability to find the voice of song and arrange it (using an array of truly outstanding performers) is evident on this recording.while songs like 'uptown stomp' and 'sixes and sevens' harken back to the zippers giddy, on the edge style they add a deeper more mature element that no zippers record every explored. add to that songs like 'roll them bones' with the tremendous remember vocal quartet, you never heard a song about the passing of a friend fill you with such hope (and booty shake!)I can't say enough good things about this record and i have a feeling that it's going to be different things to different people. one thing for sure is that Maxwell has thrown off the restrictions that pigeonholed the zippers and created one of the most honest, well crafted and musical albums of the last decade."
Willing to take chances
daniel.maxwell@duke.edu | durham, nc United States | 08/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is great!! Obviously Tom is willing to put himself out on a limb musically, which is refreshing these days, and let his audience see a true bit of his soul. I think he deserves a lot of credit for putting out a honest and well crafted work. If this is his first effort as a solo artist I think that he has a amazing career ahead of him. Listen to this CD without any preconceptions, it is a classic."
Simply Wonderful
Eitenne the Reader | United States | 06/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Simply Wonderful - style by style, lyric by lyric, haiku/poetry with a romping fun beat. The title track alone is worth the price of admission to this spectactular of audio joy! Tom - don't worry - be happy! Sam sara..."