Local Scene: 09/22/11
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Bill Toms, formerly of the Houserockers
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Trip to 'Memphis'
• You can take Bill Toms out of the Houserockers, but you can't take the Houserocker out of Bill Toms.
The former lead guitarist for the Houserockers returns with a seventh album, "Memphis," filled with the kind of bluesy soul and passion we've come to the expect from him.
"I think it is the most soulful record I have made," he says. "[Producer] Will Kimbrough and I spoke a lot about capturing the sounds of Stax, Muscle Shoals, etc., and the Southern soul that moved us so much and still does. We weren't looking for a particular sound, just the feel of those old records."
Although the album cover has a picture of "Memphis," the album was recorded in Weirton, W.Va., with producer-guitarist Mr. Kimbrough (Todd Snider, Josh Rouse) and Rick Witkowski recording and mixing. Among those pitching in are Tom Breiding, Phi Brontz, Tom Valentine, Bernie Herr and Marc Reisman.
"Most of the recording was done live in the studio, with few overdubs, no sample drums or clicks. Just a group of men playing together. I think we took care of the job, without sounding retro."
The album stays in the rootsy vein with boogie-woogie ("Memphis"), gospel-soul ("I've Made Peace Now"), roadhouse R&B ("Somebody Help Me") and dirty blues ("Lord, Don't Take Me Now"). Many of the songs are charged with life and death emotion.
"I think it probably runs through most of my work. Maybe here it is more accessible. There really is a lot of spiritual awakening here. Maybe a few answers as well.
You can tell by his vocal style his close connection with Joe Grushecky and Bruce Springsteen, from whom, he says, he learned "discipline, focus and the respect that must be given to the art form. I try to learn from everyone I come into contact with. Life is always learning."
First Published September 22, 2011 12:00 am
