Thom Swift - March/April 2008
Contact: Jeff Liberty, The MAS Creative Agency, 506-658-8639, , www.thomswift.com
As a member of the popular Fredericton-based roots/blues trio Hot Toddy, Thom Swift has endeared himself to audiences across this country and on stages as far a field as the Newport Folk Festival and the Vienna Jazz Festival with his impressive guitar work and soulful bass/baritone voice.
That voice and those nimble fingers are now front and centre on Into The Dirt, Swift’s remarkable first solo venture.
A joyous exploration of the diversity of the blues and the diversity of this artist, Into The Dirt features 10 Swift originals that embrace everything from Doc Watson-esque country blues and the folksy, gospel-influenced Delta blues exemplified by Mississippi John Hurt to groove-driven electric blues and spirited stride piano blues a la Fats Waller.
He moves effortlessly from one style to another here, switching track as easily as he changes instruments, something he does several times, moving from acoustic guitar to resonator guitar, banjo, and mandolin.
Swift, who co-produced this record with Charles Austin (Buck 65, Matt Mays, Joel Plaskett) is accompanied on this journey through the blues by a solid supporting cast of first-call East Coast players that includes Brian Bourne on bass and Chapman Stick; Geoff Arsenault on drums; Chris Corrigan on electric guitar; and Bill Stevenson on piano and Hammond B3.
Also guesting here are rising P.E.I. singer-songwriter Rose Cousins, who adds vocals, and American bluesman Guy Davis, who contributes harmonica and didgeridoo.
Already this record has earned Swift the 2008 Canadian Maple Blues Award for New Artist Of The Year and a nomination for 2008 East Coast Music Award for Blues Recording Of The Year.
Choice tracks include “Into the Dirt,” “Healer Man,” “Mother’s Arms,” “Crying Shame,” and “My Sweet Baby You.”
Thom Swift - Into The Dirt