“Swift’s singer-songwriter craft takes on a deeper hue with the elliptical song cycle “The Legend Of Roy Black”. The June release is heavy on his well-known gifts – compelling, believable storytelling, enchanting baritone vocals, and Swift’s own tasty acoustic and resonator guitar work. He is backed by an all-star cast of fellow Hot Toddy alum Tom Easley (upright bass), J.P. Cormier (mandolin, violin, banjo), and Asa Brosius (pedal steel, dobro). On the one hand utterly contemporary and on the other hand timeless, this album of 7 vignettes, 2 instrumentals and one cover is a world-class gem.” – Wilfred Langmaid, The Daily Gleaner
Category Archives Press
Cape Breton Post
“On June 23 I caught an excellent show at Kiju’s Restaurant as Thom Swift was in town promoting his new CD, “The Legend Of Roy Black.” The gravelly voiced singer with the calm and gentle stage presence delighted the audience with his new work and songs from his previous CDs as well as showcasing his superb guitar skills.”
Music Nerd Chronicles
“Swift’s buoyant spirit and superior songcraft abilities take centre stage throughout The Legend of Roy Black. Album highlights include “My Girl,” “Simpler Times,” and the defiant tone struck on “I Don’t Know.”
Cape Breton Post, NS
“If you’re already a fan of Thom Swift, you already know what a great entertainer and musical storyteller he is. If you’re not already a fan, you should be.”
The Coast, Halifax, NS
About The Legend of Roy Black…”…a timeless collection of root songs.”
Matt Andersen, Singer-Songwriter
About The Legend of Roy Black… “Thom really delivers all of the reasons I’ve been a fan of his for years on this new album. The voice, the songs, the grooves and the simplicity that makes him great is all here and in top form.”
Local Xpress, Halifax, NS
About The Legend of Roy Black…”Produced with Charles Austin at the Echo Chamber — with contributions by compadres J.P. Cormier and Dave Gunning, fellow Hot Toddy trio member Tom Easley on upright bass and Asa Brosius’s glistening pedal steel playing — the record shows the Halifax guitarist-songwriter at his most authentic. The songs extol simple pleasures, the open road and a love waiting back at home, tapping into the kind of honest ideals and rough-hewn sound that would appeal to the mysterious Mr. Black.”
JP Cormier, Singer-Songwriter
About The Legend of Roy Black… “Thom has been a hero of mine for many years. From Hot Toddy right until today, his musical gifts have been self-evident to anyone who listens, but this new album has crossed into masterpiece territory and has set a new bar for all singer-songwriters and performers in the east coast and beyond. A great record, and a genuine man. My friend always.”
Adam Bowie, The Daily Gleaner, Fredericton, NB
“Thom Swift’s new record, The Legend of Roy Black, is a moving, powerful piece of work. The best songwriters are able to bare their soul in their songs. It’s impressive that after a long, distinguished musical career, Swift is still able to knock out a song like, “Simpler Times,” which is one of the best compositions he’s written and one of the best I’ve heard anywhere in some time. Raw, emotional, uplifting, honest. More fine work from one of Canada’s criminally undervalued gems.”
Jeff Liberty, CBC Radio, Saint John, NB
About The Legend of Roy Black… “Thom’s music something you can always count on. Thom keeps it real here. Great songs, classic roots music done like his forefathers. Very organic, meticulous instrumentation all layered in Thom’s unparalleled vocal delivery. A master with a turn a phrase and authenticity in spades. Sounding somewhere between an ever aging Leonard Cohen and Springsteen’s Devil’s & Dust.”
