Singer/songwriter/guitarist Tom Feldmann may have been musically weaned on the dirty, back-woods moans and hollers of blues legends like Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and John Lee Hooker, but over the years the inventive young man delved into a plethora of styles, including folk, soul, country, Americana, and gospel - a practice that eventually helped inform the confident, driven performer he is today. Carrying on in the raucous gospel twang tradition of The Louvin Brothers, Gram Parsons, and Uncle Tupelo, Tom Feldmann & The Get-Rites (Feldmann on vocals and his infamous resonator guitar, long-time Ben Weaver/Jack Norton side-man Paul Liebenow on upright bass, and drummer Jed Staack) present a fresh, inspirational batch of country-blues-tinged material that melds, molds, and mixes all of those various influences with their own inimitable flair for lyrical intelligence, musical complexity, and soulful experimentation.
March 21
I'm back in the studio recording my next CD.
This new CD will be all slide gospel material, unlike the hugely layered release I just put out. Working title: 'Side Show Revival'.
'Side Show Revival' will be out in a few months and then work will begin for the web only hillbilly gospel release, 'Pedal Steel Heaven', too be out in the fall.
All US releases made available by the Magnolia Recording Co. label.
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March 21
Time Off Magazine Review
A sparse record of gospel songs, Driven To My Knees draws power from its simplistic approach, which in turn adds gravitas to the already evocative lyrics about hope, redemption and finding salvation in religion.
There is a folksy, almost Americana feel to the album due to the subtle presence of banjo, pedal steel and mandolin, but Feldmann's personal guitar-style is rooted firmly in the delta blues that influenced him from an early age.
Thankfully - despite the subject matter - the album never comes off as preachy, with Feldmann's gravelly low-register vocals giving his songs a peaceful, relaxing vibe. The Man-in-Black tribute 'Johnny Cash' is a standout, alongside opener 'Friend in Jesus' and the feel-good 'Rise Again Today'.
Forget the subject matter; this is a beautiful and inspiring album for people of all denominations (or lack thereof).
(Steve Bell)
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March 21
Review by Tom Hallet, Pulse Magazine
I'm really, really, really hopin' that local (and eventually, national) record shops don't stock this album in the section local blues guitarist/singer/songwriter Tom Feldmann describes his album (the first of three two as yet to be released produced by local whiz Mark Thomas Stockert) as belonging in: "Gospel Americana." Why? Because although it's true Feldmann does dedicate this album to "songs about Jesus" and tags it as gospel it would be a gross injustice to call this collection of sharp, shimmering, country-rockers and electric soul ballads "Christian Music."
That's actually a pretty sad thing, as it's clear here that Feldmann, with his rich, deep pipes and command of a strong, authentic roots groove, really does love and respect his subject matter. Thing is, the people who'd really appreciate the lyrics on songs like "Friend In Jesus," "Holy Living Lord" and "Freedom" probably aren't really the same people who might appreciate the absolutely stunning music and spine-tingling vibe running through Driven To My Knees and vice-versa.
Feldmann's voice evokes vague echoes of Eddie Vedder's throaty, stoner come-on, with maybe a bit of John P. Strohm's sloe-eyed country drawl thrown in for good measure. The songs here range from the ravaged complexity of "Friend In Jesus" to the good-time, barn-dance banjo bounce of "Rise Again Today" to the heartbreaking, in-the-moment darkness of "Johnny Cash," which describes The Man In Black's last precious moments on this mortal plane.
Musically, lyrically and soul-wise, this collection of hearty, fulfilling roots music is simply outstanding frankly, Feldmann could be singin' and playin' about the glories of Buddha, Shiva, Mohammed or the alien race that Question Mark from the Mysterians thinks actually rules the universe, and it wouldn't make a diddly-damn bit of difference to me. I honestly, truly believe Driven To My Knees is an undeniable masterpiece. Highly recommended listening.
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March 21
Review by Shane Werlinger, Infuze Magazine.
It is a sad fact that most of the best music made will not be heard by the majority of the American population. Independent musicians have the arduous task of making music and trying to promote it with little to no help. Usually only a handful of people are blessed with their view on life which is many times different than the mainstream. I'd like to introduce to one such musician: Tom Feldmann.
Feldmann does have a slight leg up on the average independent musician. He's already known as a talented blues guitarist in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and by all of the great blues guitarists. But Feldmann's new CD, Driven to My Knees, deviates from his signature sound to bring us a style that should appeal to the masses. He does this deftly without losing any of the appeal that has given him attention and will still appease his faithful following.
Driven to My Knees is a low-key piece of work that is powerful in its simplicity. While Feldmann has proven himself to be able to craft lyrical masterpieces, he has chosen to keep the message simple on this disc. The opening track, "Friend in Jesus," is an example of this.
"I've got a friend in Jesus/ What kind of friend am I?" is pretty much the lyrics of "Friend in Jesus." At first glance this may seem almost too simple, but accompanied with the music and the haunting vocals of Feldmann it's a message that sinks in as the song goes on. Though most of the CD is as stripped down as this, he does change it up occasionally.
Feldmann pays tribute to the Man in Black with a song aptly titled "Johnny Cash." He pays homage not just to Cash's musical legacy but also to his legacy of faith, which is really our most important legacy. Then, Feldmann picks up the tempo a bit in "Rise Again Today," a song that talks about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Feldmann shows his storytelling ability as he presents the events of the first Easter.
Behind every great man is a great woman and Feldmann is no different. His wife Naomi is a talented singer in her own right and backs Feldmann on a couple of tunes as well as singing part of the lead on "Narrow is the Road." Their voices blend beautifully making the disc even stronger.
Driven to My Knees is a great musical work from beginning to end. Hopefully this will get the play that a CD of this caliber deserves. Feldmann is truly a gifted artist that uses his talents to glorify God.
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March 21
Review by Paul Kerr, Americana UK.
Devotional songs in an Americana style. Calling his style Gospel Americana, guitarist Feldmann has turned his back on his blues roots to produce an album of songs about Jesus. Normally I would switch off right here but this album is not happy clappy or vengeful Old Testament stuff. Instead he has taken elements of bands such as Palace, Son Volt and Lambchop resulting in a collection of decent tunes which happen to mention Jesus more often than not. Singing in a low register, Feldmann tends to repeat lyrics throughout a song which leads to a degree of monotony but with pedal steel, banjo and mandolin prominent the playing is solid. Of interest is the song Johnny Cash where he pays tribute to the man in black. With some nice guitar by Marc Stockert, this is probably the best song on the album, with Feldmann at times sounding like Gene Clark although some may balk at the lyrics people they gathered around the grave, singing Lord your mercy on high, before trading his black suit for white.
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