TOM SNOW – Original Demos (Contante & Sonante)
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“Original Demos” by TOM SNOW presents twelve fantastic compositions as originally conceived and produced by this celebrated songwriter, a Grammy and Academy Award nominated artist who has penned big hits for famous names like Peter Cetera, Kenny Loggins, Cher, Melissa Manchester, Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner and countless others.
But apart for the aforementioned mainstream artists, Tom Snow is a very well-known name by fans and collectors of Westcoast AOR, or simply put, lovers of delicate melodies.
Tom Snow has released three solo albums between 1975 – 1982, however, since then he focused his career as songwriter, credited on over 700 recordings in one way or another.
“Original Demos” is pure delight.
This CD delivers Tom Snow’s songs in a Westcoast AOR vein arranged, performed & recorded by him and featuring some amazing musicians including lead vocals of the late, much venerated WARREN WIEBE, considered by many the greatest ‘Westcoast voice’ ever.
But you also get tasteful guitars by excellent ‘LA session man’ James Harrah (David Foster, Chicago, Kenny Loggins, Laura Branigan). In addition, there’s duet vocals by experienced recording artists Sally Dworzky and Suzie Benson, proving them to be excellent singers that fit Wiebe’s voice perfectly.
Despite its title, these are not demos at all, the sound is great.
The album showcases the songwriter’s superior sensibility and talent with a number of beautiful tunes that are absolutely top-notch.
Warren’s spectacular voice is the perfect tool for bringing these songs to life. Let’s not overlook the fact that Snow’s co-writers on the projects are other songwriting legends like Gerry Goffin, Dean Pitchford, Mark Mueller and Danny O’Keefe.
From the opening track, “Beauty Outside, Beauty Within”, a tender, evocative soft tune that sets the atmosphere with Warren’s show-stopping vocal performance, listeners can lose themselves into the songcraft perfection of Tom Snow’s “Original Demos”.
The overall feeling of the album is smooth LA Westcoast AOR, as expected – but there are some more uptempo numbers as well. One comes as track number 2; “It’s not the End of the World” moved by a lovely beat, cool guitars and great keys.
A couple of songs on this album also reminds me of Bobby Caldwell or John O’Banion, and “Time to Be Lovers” is a fine example, sung by Wiebe with the gifted Sally Dworsky.
As expected, Warren Wiebe shines all over. He has been sadly missed for so many years, and it is such an honor to hear new recordings with him by the microphone.
Warren also does wonders on the bluesy up-tempo “I Must Have Been Blind” and also on “Town of Dreams”, a song that wouldn’t have been out of place on a Chicago album. Both tracks also benefit from Harrah’s impressive guitar work.
As connoisseurs already know, ballads were always the perfect territory for Wiebe’s gorgeous voice and his peerless phrasing and Snow surely provided him here some fantastic slow tunes like the evocative, “You’re Welcome In My Life”, the tender “That’s What Love Can Do” and “Ronnie-O” again with Harrah in the spotlight.
The second duet is the sweet “I Can See Forever”, a delicate love theme that matches Wiebe with another great singer, Suzie Benson.
“Bridges Of The Heart”, closes the album with Snow’s acoustic piano backing up Wiebe’s moving performance.
Tom Snow “Original Demos” was requested many times to be featured here. Released by specialized label Contante & Sonante, “Original Demos” appeared two years ago in a 1000 numbered CD only, sadly now out of print.
You can try some used or un-opened copies at auction sites, but be prepared to high prices. Worth the investment!
Highly Recommended.
01. Beauty outside, beauty within
02. It’s not the end of the world
03. Time to be lovers
04. Town of dreams
05. You’re welcome into my life
06. I must have been blind
07. I can see forever
08. That’s what love can do
09. We’re all in this together
10. Ronnie-O
11. Love has a mind of its own
12. Bridges of the heart
Lead Vocals: Warren Wiebe
Additional vocals: Sally Dworsky, Suzie Benson
Guitars: James Harrah
Sax: Phil Kenzie
Keyboards, Programming: Tom Snow
Produced and Arranged by Tom Snow
Out of print – Try here:
www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00BKVG1JM
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