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Review Written by - John Muller - Blue Notes and Conversations - 

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Tom Craig - GET TO WORK - Produced by Mikey Junior - 2024 8th Train Records , Bucks County , Pennsylvania  tomcraigband.com / Recorded and Mixed and Mastered by - Dave Gross at Fat Rabbit Studios , Franklin Lakes , New Jersey - Additional recording - Randy Weaver , Soundplex in Pennsauken , New Jersey

All songs written by Tom Craig except , "I Showed My Hand Too Soon " , words and music by Tom Craig and Mikey Junior

 

 

"The Blues tell the story of life's difficulties, and if you think for a moment , you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music , only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music."

         Martin Luther King , Jr. - Opening Address to the Berlin Jazz Festival , 1964

 

 

          For those unfamiliar with Tom Craig - and that is a misstep that needs to be rectified - let's go through a little bit of background here: In 2017 Tom represented the Central Delaware Blues Society in Memphis at the 33rd International Blues Challenge , known as the "IBC" . His song,"She Did It To Me(She'll Do It To You)" was a semi-finalist in the 2017 International Songwriting Challenge. In May, 2022 , Tom received the Independent Blues Awards nominations for "Best Contemporary Blues CD , "Good Men Gone Bad" ; Best Contemporary Blues Song,"You Make a Good Man Go Back", and Best Contemporary Blues Band . A singer , songwriter , guitarist initially inspired by jazz vocalists like Frank Sinatra , Ella Fitzgerald, and Mel Torme,musically Tom has been inspired by the classic '60's and '70's soul music that was recorded in Memphis and Muscle Shoals , the blues of the Three Kings , as well as Muddy and Stevie Ray Vaughn. His guitar-centered music is propelled forward by horn-driven shots of rhythm and blues alongside tasty swigs of blues and soul , all flavored with hefty pours from those rockin' 88's . Not afraid to buck contemporary views of what " the blues " is , Tom mixes things up with a wide range of tastes and styles  . Tom and his band are well known for their high energy , dynamic live shows . 

          " My strongest influence is the music of the late 1950's and 1960's especially blues and soul from Chicago and south to Memphis and Muscle Shoals , Alabama . That genre of music hits me hard and inspires me to add my own flourish to it."

         Working alongside Mikey Junior and Dave Gross on his latest release,".......I can't say enough good things about these two men . They've inspired me to be the best I can be while lending their talents to this project and my career in general."

         Tom Craig uses his life experiences to become a storyteller , a singer of stories , with a style that is personable and relatable . Every song is brought to life by building a deep connection , creating emotions , and bonding with the listener . Marrying at the age of 21 , working in carpentry for a time , setting in with a 22-year career as a police officer , breaking up dozens of domestic disputes( reflected in the song,"You've Got To Leave Him") and writing up thousands of police reports , his wealth of life experiences are reflected in his songs .  Listening to "Get To Work " track by track and you find yourself seeming that you have known Tom , and the characters  , the events , your whole life . Deeply enjoyable , emotionally impactful, "Get To Work" reflects exactly what Martin Luther King said in 1964 , "This is triumphant music".

           From the mambo funk of "Making Coffee" , the philosopher-songwriter speaking plainly on "Dream Big" , and the surprising spoken-word rap by Mikey Junior on the poker-is-life "I Showed My Hand Too Soon" , and on to the last track , one of my personal favorites , a remarkable blues ballad that is powerfully emotional and remarkably enticing ,"Mother To The World" , Tom Craigs take on modern blues isn't afraid to highlight life as it is for all of us - the joys , the pains , the highs and the lows - done is such a creative way that the music and musicianship defies time itself . Hitch a ride and enjoy this musical journey . You'll be excited by the surprises waiting for you around every turn . 

 

Outstanding musicians and vocalists perform on "GET TO WORK" and deserve huge rounds of well-deserved applause :

    Tom Craig - Vocals and Guitar ; Greg Gumpel - Lead and Rhythm Guitar; Matt Daniels - Rhythm Guitar; Mikey Junior - Harmonica,Vocals, and a Rap ("I Showed MY Hand Too Soon") ; Kat Riggins - Vocals;Steven Kirsty- Tenor and Baritone saxophone;Bill Heid- Piano and Hammond organ ; Matt Raymond - Electric Bass and Upright Bass ; Michael Bram-Drums ; Dave Gross - Fiddle,Percussion  ; Elizabeth Craig- Vocals ; Victoria Craig-Vocals

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