Words by Anselm Anderson
Tommy Grasley AKA Tommy Gunn is a Canadian singer/songwriter with a positive message of love and peace. I Believe in Love is Gunn's latest was released on Valentine's day. Gunn combines energetic rock 'n' roll with blues and punk to create enjoyable tracks with thought-provoking lyrics.
Gunn is the son of saxophonist Sonny Del Rio of Crowbar fame, Gunn fought through years of struggles and fighting inner demons to forge a musical journey of love, hate and anger. I Believe In Love is a story of that journey told over 11 tracks. Grasley brings a host of talented musicians along for the journey, including Mike King ( Bass), drummer Dale Harrison, guitarist Joe Mcneill and many more.
Opener I Am is an eerie introduction to Mr Gunn. Gunn sings in acapella to the accompaniment of chiming bells and Kim Deschamp's wistful steel pedal guitar. Gunn mimics confessing all in church with the lines I am a father/I am a son/I am Tommy Gunn in repetition to the backdrop of harmonious choral tributes from Raquel Wekerle, Joey Varga and John Lica.
'Strange' is about how times have changed. A fun garage rock track with Greg Godovitz providing a darker harmony to Gunn's introspective vocals. King's bottom-end bass work chugs along like a rumbling train. The slick guitar breaks make this all-round solid songwriting with a commercial appeal.
'Frayed' may be my favourite track about everyday stresses. A hard rock song that Grassley delivers with a raw and impassioned vocal style that draws the listener into his pain. Mike King continues to treat his bottom bass like he is leading a horse race. Joe Mcneill delivers a scintillating guitar-tapping solo ala Joe Satriani. This is an overall pleasant on-the-ear song with a deep message behind it.
The album continues a steady path through the narrator's journey. Love Conquers All is a beautiful blues song about love. Greg Godovitz delivers a salacious guitar lead to supplement a further powerful vocal style. Harrison emerges as a succinct drummer with timely strikes to a terrific backing vocal performance that harmonizes the importance of the song's lyrics. Del Rio guests with Saxo fills to round up another enjoyable track.
'JCT66' is a heavier track that shares similarities with grunge heavyweights like Alice In Chains. This track is a tribute to an old friend. Joey Varga delivers a monstrous performance on guitar, ripping through phrases and leads like a shark through water. Grasley sings with anger and precision, supported by thunderous drum fills by Dan Fila
The Eddie Kramer-produced Richard is next, a touching slice of delta blues, featuring another guest performance from Del Rio. The track is a tribute to the first time Gunn saw Richard Newell play, a blues musician is better known as King Biscuit Boy. A solid mid-tempo song, sung with aghast. The impressive guitar breaks merge with a tight rhythm and harmonica play to make this a fitting way to wrap up the album with the final reprise of I Am.
I Believe in Love will lead you onto a path of wonder and amazement from a world of talented musicians ready to enlighten our presence.
Tommy Gunn, I Believe in Love is available via Spotify and other good platforms.
You can find out further information on Tommy Gunn via the link below;
Click here to listen to the album;
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