November 10, 2005
Upcoming Instore: Tom Brosseau
TOM BROSSEAU Tues Nov 15th, 7:00pm
The songs of Tom Brosseau, a North Dakota native and current LA resident, touch on, in Brosseau's words, "abandoned buildings, new love, the praireland, being haunted, roaming around, and being thrilled and killed." His is the work of a master storyteller, who draws from such diverse influences as Marty Robbins, Led Zeppelin, Nick Drake, and Billie Holiday. Brosseau's new record, "What I Mean To Say Is Goodbye," has that quality of an intimate conversation at the next table that you just can't pull your ear away from.
On "What I Mean to Say is Goodbye" Brosseau's voice is center stage, supported by his delicate guitar playing. The production--by Sam Jones, known for making the Wilco documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart"--is sparse, with a dollop of exquisitely empathetic piano from Benmont Tench, a snatch of guitar from Jon Brion, a sweet violin riff from Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins - all people Brosseau met when he moved to Los Angeles two years ago, determined to find a home for his songs.
More after the jump...
KIND WORDS FROM THE PRESS FOR What I Mean To Say Is Goodbye:
"5 out of 5, [Fans of Woodie Guthrie, Devendra Barnhart, and Townes Van Zandt take note.] Heartbreak, happiness, and hometowns: Tom Brosseau has it all on his new album. listeners will discover a talented new voice that skillfully mixes traditional instrumental work with innovative vocals. Brosseau offers up simple and beautiful music track after track."
- CHORD MAGAZINE
"Brosseau has captured the sparse intimacy of old-school country and folk: You could play some of his less-embelllished songs and easily convince someone they were recorded 50 years ago."
- Time Out NY
[Tom Brosseau's] distinctive timbre, delicate intimacy, and melodically unconventional arrangements separate him from the endless contemporary muddle of dime-a-dozen singer-songwriters. He's one of the few who not only merit the knee-jerk association to Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley, but whose buttermilk emotion and atmospheric range are in the same league.
- Bob Gendron, The Absolute Sound
Download "West of Town" (MP3)