Here I Go Again by Tom Hunter

08 Jan

Written by Richard Bourcier
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Tom Hunter is a singer/pianist from Minneapolis. While this is Hunter’s third album, it’s been our first chance to hear him. Here I Go Again will see much wider distribution than his earlier discs and introduces a couple of his own songs.

From the first note, Hunter’s voice and manner reminded me of another singer-pianist who turned a lot of heads way back in the middle 1950s. That musician was Chuck Miller who dabbled in blues, boogie, ballads and rock. Like Chuck Miller, Tom Hunter sings like a horn player in the same way that Armstrong and Teagarden did decades ago. The press release for Hunter’s CD states "File Under Blues," but the disc really spans several genres. The self-taught piano-man seems quite comfortable whether in a mainstream jazz mood or shouting his own blues "Nothing’s For Free." The latter features the singer on Hammond organ and it’s an impressive bit of writing. Hunter takes a crack at items by Doc Pomus, Ray Charles, Doctor John and Billy Joel. His reading of Ray Charles’ "Drown In My Own Tears" is a winner. Jazz fans will like his piano interpretation of "Tenor Madness," a Sonny Rollins favorite.

We loved Tom Hunter’s take on "Layin’ In The Alley" and the Spencer Williams classic "Basin Street Blues." Both tracks offer a fine insight into the artist’s vocal and instrumental skills. He’s inventive without disregarding tradition. Here I Go Again is a nice light-hearted album and deserves a close listen.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Tom Hunter
CD Title: Here I Go Again
Genre: Blues
Year Released: 2006
Record Label: FS Music
Tracks: I Underestimated You, Imitation Of Love, Here I Go Again, The Night Is A Hunter, Ever Since The World Began, New Coat Of Paint, New York State Of Mind, Basin Street Blues, Tenor Madness, Nothing’s For Free, Drown In My Own Tears, Layin’ In The Alley
Musicians: Tom Hunter (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ), Jon “Gunner” Gunvaldson (guitar), Keith Boyles (bass), Rob Stupka (drums), Peter Virckes (saxophone on #7), Tonya Hughes, Nesey Davis, Latonius Earl (background vocals on #3 and 11)
Label Website: http://www.fsmusiclabel.com
Rating: Four Stars