Tom Hitt music
SCRIBE AND JESTER
- Ben Speggen, Erie Reader, Vol. 1, No. 23 (Nov 16, 2011)
"In Tom’s world, traditional folk happily joins hands with folk rock, pulsating pop, love songs and witty observations. It’s a mix that works its magic on so many levels."
- Tom Franks, FolkWords.com (Feb 18, 2012)
FULL REVIEW, February 18, 2012
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FolkWords.com Review - ‘Scribe and Jester’ from Tom Hitt - diverse musical meanderings (February 18, 2012) “Are all those mood changes on the same album?” I was asked that question more than once when listening to ‘Scribe and Jester’ from Tom Hitt, a man that approaches his idiosyncratic take on diverse musical meanderings with enthusiastic, versatile passion. Songwriters rarely span a range of styles and moods with equal dexterity and success – this one does. From the layered harmonies and quasi-psychedelic, folk rock echoes of ‘Just Bend’ through the nostalgic pop-influenced love song ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’ to the acidly observed, reminiscent humour of ‘The Southern Saying Song’ – Tom explores a range of moods and style-changes to deliver a roundly encompassing journey through his view of American folk. In Tom’s world, traditional folk happily joins hands with folk rock, pulsating pop, love songs and witty observations. It’s a mix that works its magic on so many levels. Overtures of West Coast Americana rock, waltz-tempo pop and acoustic alt-folk narrative - each song, serious or witty, precisely crafted, with acutely observed lyrical explorations – just listen to ‘We Could Never Be That Way’ and ‘In The Biblical Sense’. His lithe lyrics are much like his instrumental eclecticism, where single guitars sit comfortably with melodicas, glockenspiel and mandolin; and of course the rather more out-of-the-ordinary instrumentation offered by bulbul tarang (the so-called Indian banjo) and doumbeck drum. On ‘Scribe and Jester’, Tom is joined by Davy Sturtevant on guitars. There's also the previously observed host of sound producing instruments, sound-bites and devices including glockenspiel, doumbeck, melodica, guitars, bulbul tarang, ukele, mandolin, drumset, human voice, wild birds, bongos, stirring drum, bass guitar, cowbell, jingle stick, payphone bells, Casio SA-76 and Roland guitar synth – I’m pretty sure there could be a kitchen sink in there too. You can find the album, complete with its outstanding pen-and-ink artwork by Bryan Toy, on www.reverbnation.com/tomhitt Reviewer: Tom Franks |
FAN COMMENTS
"Tom is a really talented guy, but even I didn't think he could make an album like this classic. I'll be listening to it the rest of my life. If you don't own it, you should." (Thanks Tony Kellogg!)
"I love the CD, have it in the car and listening every time I am out. Good voice and good beat, love Queen Elizabeth, well all of them sound great."
"Crazy good music!!!! Love the sounds; fun, playful and musical."
"Tom Hitt is both the scribe and the jester. He has the balance that so many musicians strive for."
"I love the groove and the feel of the song (Just Bend)."
"I really can't pick a favorite from here..let's just say..ummm..ALL of them :-) You had me at "Lick My Wounds" and I've been listening ever since. Excellent everything...yep...I'm a fan :-)"
Instruments used on this CD include:
Glockenspiel, Doumbek, Melodica, Guitars by Blueridge and Taylor,
Bulbul Tarang, Ukulele, Mandolin, Drumsets, Human Voice, Wild Birds, Bongos, Stirring Drum, Bass
Guitar, More Cowbell, Jingle Stick, Payphone Bells, Casio SA-76, Roland Guitar Synth.
CREDITS:
Recorded at Cycling Troll - Fairview PA
Produced and engineered by Tom Hitt
Custom pen-and-ink art by Bryan Toy
Mastering by Frankford Wayne Mastering Labs
Duplication, layout and design by http://oasiscd.com
Thanks to helpful musicians Davy Sturtevant and Frank Marzano. Big thanks to artist Bryan Toy. Biggest thanks to Laurie and Owen.
This CD was fueled to a large degree by $1 refills of coffee at the Country Fair convenience store #18 in the heart of Fairview, Pennsylvania; half decaf, half bold, a little 2% milk.
