Tom Principato's Press
Tom Principato is one of the most unique
guitarists around, combining his rich blues background with high-energy
rock, and a highly charged, emotionally expressive delivery. Here’s
what the press has been saying…
Check out this excellent article by former Muddy
Waters sidekick and great blues guitarist, Bob Margolin. This
interview originally ran in BluesWax's Ezine on February 9, 2005.
Click here to read article: A
BluesWax Reprint
Don't be surprised if "Raising The Roof!"
also raises the number of Wammie Awards that guitarist Tom Principato
has collected over the years-more than 20 at last count.
Recorded in College Park, Md. save for one track, Principato's
new album is a rocking, grooving session featuring Hammond B-3
organist Tommy Lepson. It opens with three tunes written or (co-written)
by Principato: "Lock and Key," a serving of Gumbo funk
peppered with chunky, extended chord guitar riffs and Chris Watling's
resonating baritone sax: "Too Damn Funky," a slithery
instrumental that lives up to it's billing as soon as Lepson applies
some elbow grease; and "In The Middle Of The Night,"
a haunting Reggae ballad that features Principato and co-composer
Lepson sharing soulful vocals.
Eventually a few cover tunes that further reflect
Principato's varied tastes come into focus; J.J. Cale's "Lies,"
Jimmy Smith's "8 Counts For Rita" and the Louis Jordan
hit "Fish Fry." Each is given a fresh spin, though the
twangy tribute to Smith is particularly colorful and engaging,
an expansive showcase not only for Telecaster master Principato
but for Lepson, bassist John Perry and drummer Joe Wells.
Capping the album is a live recording of Principato's loose and
lighthearted "They Called For 'Stormy Monday' (But 'Mustang
Sally' Is Just As Bad!), complete with lots of T-Bone Walker evoking
fretwork. Mike Joyce The Washington Post Feb. 22, 2008
It's difficult to understand why this blues-rocking Telecaster
master isn't a major contemporary blues/roots star. Principato
is sure talented enough and he's been leaving mouths agape with
his classy yet searing guitar pyrotechnics over the United States
and Europe for the better part of four decades. A solid new album,
appropriately titled "Raising The Roof!", might help
spread the word, but he's most at home when peeling the paint
from Blind Willie's walls with his slashing solos.
— Hal Horowitz-Atlanta
Creative Loafing
This review originally ran in Vintage Guitar Magazine June, 2008
TOM PRINCIPATO BAND
Raising The Roof!
Powerhouse Records Principato has long been
known as a fine guitar player, but here production and vocals
take him to a new level.There's plenty of the stuff you expect
from Principato, including funky New Orleans-style rock like "Lock
and Key," with horns, organ and precise chording; Fender
heaven on the solos. "Too Damn Funky" is exactly that,
with a nasty solo and cool chordal work on the outro. "Mi
Solea" is an emotional instrumental that gives Principato
a chance to show his stuff. His soloing is as clever and on-the-money
as you want. The same goes for the workout on Jimmy Smith's "8
Counts For Rita." It's old fashioned greasy, funky soul feel
lets Principato show off nice changes and great licks. And the
closer, "They Called For Stormy Monday (But Mustang Sally
Is Just As Bad!)" will definately find a sympathetic ear
in every working musician.
Recorded live and with a perfect rendition of
the Bobby "Blue" Bland/Allman Brothers versions of "Stormy
Monday," it's lyrics have been adapted to include every song
and in some cases every band any musician over the age of 30 is
sick of playing.
The good news is, with releases like this one,
Tom's bringing new and varied music to that realm.
— John Heidt
Tom Principato Band: Raising The Roof! (Powerhouse 125; 46:09)
3 1/2 stars
Principato, a long-established guitarist in the Washington, DC
area, who sings and writes decently, works off a diverse musical
palette with blues, and complements of funk, jazz, latin rock
and New Orleans R&B. To his credit he projects ease of delivery
and gives shape and logic to even his most fierce playing. Joined
by his reliable band and Tommy Lepson on organ, he taps into old
Santana's spirit on "Bo Bo's Groove" and manifests authentic
bittersweet feeling on "Mi Solea"--both instrumentals.
The former Powerhouse bandleader locates the joy in songs from
J.J. Cale, Louis Jordan, and Jimmy Smith, respectively.
— Frank-John Hadley
Down Beat magazine May, 2008
Music City Blues Soc. newsletter, Nashville,
Tenn.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Tom Principato is one of the most exciting guitarists on the contemporary
scene today. Hailing from Washington, DC, he has won just about
every award given out by the Washington Area Music Association,
and he's played with the likes of Big Mama Thornton, Jimmy Thackery,
and Danny Gatton. His Powerhouse Records release of "Raising
The Roof" is an adventurous romp thru nine cuts, (six originals)
of a gorgeous gumbo of blues, soul, funk, reggae, and general
good times a-rollin'!
The backing musicians on this set are great players in their own
right, as well. Tommy Lepson's B-3 work adds the spice to this
mix, along with John Perry on bass, Joe Wells on drums, and Josh
Howell on percussion. There is a huge New Orleans influence on
this CD, from the polyrhythms played among the musicians, and
Tom's passionate vocals and guitar lines. A good example of this
is the downright-fonky groove set up in Tom's version of Louis
Jordan's "Fish Fry," stripped down to a cool second-line
beat, vastly different from the original. The instrumental "Too
Damn Funky" further explores this groove, and everyone gets
a chance to shine on this one. Tom goes a wee bit south of N'Awlins
to bring a reggae-fied approach to the excellent "In The
Middle Of The Night." The percussion and organ fuel Tom's
vocals in "Lies," while "BoBo's Groove" has
a Latin-tinged, Santana feel to it.
However, nothing tops our favorite, the hilarious
tale of songs played about one billion times too many. It's called
"They Called For 'Stormy Monday', But 'Mustang Sally' Is
Just As Bad," where we learn that the "Free Bird flies
on Friday," and, as far as requests for Jimmy Buffett songs....NO
WAY!!
— Sheryl and Don Crow
DC based bluesman Tom Principato comes out swinging
straight from note 1. The band is on fire and burning as they
crank out blues tinged funk, jazz rock and straight blues. They
jam like Jeff Beck and Elvin Bishop and Principato can unleash
Latin spice like Santana. Everything they do is done with a tasty
flair and that includes a moving tribute to NOLA called “Fish
Fry” and his equally feeling tribute to LA women in “Lock
and Key.” The Hammond, the percussion, the rhythm section
and Tom’s axe aid and abet while giving comfort to the grateful
ears who get to hear this Southern gentleman lay it on down. The
cuts are extended and fine musical expressions filled with original
riffs and style. Even the closer commands attention with its witty
lyrics and title “They called for “Stormy Monday”
(but “Mustang Sally” Is Just as Bad!)”. Recorded
live, the cut is ROTFL and it rolls it done. Hoo-hah, this Washington
legend belts one past the Beltway in a home run.
— 9 snaves Doctor Blues
– Long Island Blues Society – March 24, 2008
Don’t be surprised if "Raising the
Roof!" also raises the number of Wammie Awards that blues
guitarist Tom Principato has collected over the years -- more
than a dozen at last count.
Recorded in College Park save for one track,
Principato's new album is a rocking, grooving session featuring
Hammond B-3 organist Tommy Lepson. It opens with three tunes written
(or co-written) by Principato: "Lock and Key," a serving
of gumbo funk peppered with chunky, extended chord guitar riffs
and Chris Watling's resonating baritone sax; "Too Damn Funky,"
a slithery instrumental that lives up to its billing as soon as
Lepson applies some elbow grease; and "In the Middle of the
Night," a haunting reggae ballad that features Principato
and co-composer Lepson sharing soulful vocals.
Eventually a few cover tunes that further reflect
Principato's varied tastes come into focus: J.J. Cale's "Lies,"
Jimmy Smith's "8 Counts for Rita" and the Louis Jordan
hit "Fish Fry." Each is given a fresh spin, though the
twangy tribute to Smith is particularly colorful and engaging,
an expansive showcase not only for Telecaster master Principato
but for Lepson, bassist John Perry and drummer Joe Wells.
Capping the album is a live recording of Principato's loose and
lighthearted "They Called for 'Stormy Monday' (But 'Mustang
Sally' Is Just as Bad)," complete with lots of T-Bone Walker-evoking
fretwork.
— Mike Joyce, The
Washington Post 2008
Recorded long before Hurricane Katrina
tore up half the Gulf Coast, "Guitar Gumbo" is Tom Principato's
love song to Louisiana, a multi-track celebration of its culture,
mystique and allure.
As always, Principato's Fender-charged
fretwork generates lots of Stratocaster sparks and Telecaster
twang, along with some fiendishly syncopated runs on Professor
Longhair's "hey Now Baby" and other tracks. The self-penned
instrumental "Return of the
Voodoo King" quickly stands out on the album, as does "Louisiana
(Been Callin' Me)," which features Tommy Lepson on Hammond
organ and the Nighthawks' Mark Wenner on harmonica. Other guests
occasionally join Principato, bassist John Perry and drummer Joe
Wells, including a few local horn players and pianist Kevin McKendree,
best known for his work with soul man Delbert McClinton. As the
album's title suggests, though, not all the tunes evoke Louisiana.
"Tango'd Up in the Blues," one of Principato's most
sensuous and atmospheric compositions, points even farther south,
and David Kitchen's "If Love Is Blind" introduces a
roots-rock, boogie-powered diversion. Not to be overlooked is
"Tipsy," the album's coda, which reverberates with Chuck
Berry-flavored bends and double stops.
— Mike Joyce, The
Washington Post 2005
On 16 tracks taped in concert or studio
settings between 1975 and 2000, Principato sings and bends guitar
strings with a casual sort of intensity. Covering the breadth
of ensemble blues styles, he's smarter and more entertaining and
honor-bound than the general lot of blues-oriented guitarists
active today. An improvisatory way of thinking improves his playing.
Among the album highlights are the fireworks-display instrumental
"In Orbit" and the remake of old jump blues "Nosey
Joe," with its original singer Bullmoose Jackson.
— Downbeat Magazine
2005
Rated Four Stars
Although Not One Word is not for
guitarists only, the 10 instrumentals that make up up Tom Principato’s
new album are certainly a picker’s delight… Principato covers
a lot of ground here, from trusty blues shuffles to exotic international
excursions.
— Mike Joyce, The
Washington Post
Although Tom Principato is primarily known
as a rootsy, blues-rock guitarist and vocalist, virtuosic instrumentals
have always been an integral part of his live shows. For his latest
album, Not One Word, Principato put his voice on hold and
gave his guitar all the limelight. Many of the techniques and tones
Principato used were inspired by his guitar heroes. For some tunes,
such as the Latin-rocker “Santana Claus,” the influence is obvious.
Elsewhere, Principato’s inspirations aren’t so transparent. For
example, “One Night in Hindustan” was inspired by the music of Hindustani
slide guitarists.
— Adam Levy, Guitar
Player Magazine, December 2000
The first thing you notice [about Not
One Word] is the killer tones, great guitar sounds, and wonderful
sense of melody highlighted throughout. From the tour de force opener,
“One Night in Hindustan” to the Beck-esque “Another Place, Another
Time,” Tom plays great.
— Vintage Guitar
Magazine, April 2001
Tom Principato has long been known as a
guitar player’s guitar player. Blues is perhaps what Principato
is best known for, but like [Danny] Gatton, there’s not a style
with which he is not atl least conversant, if he hasn’t outright
mastered it. [On Not One Word] Principato displays a deft
touch in a variety of settings, from the latin-tinged rock of “Santana
Claus” to the delicate nylon-string picking of the atmospheric “Mi
Solea.”
— Ninevolt Magazine,
Virginia Beach VA
Live and Kickin’ is the rough-toned
but right stuff you’d expect to hear from a blues veteran who’s
been working the club circuit for decades. Principato didn’t go
in for any sweetening here, just the sound of his Tele and Strat
guitars up close and personal… forcefully underpinned by bassist
John Perry and drummer ElTorro Gamble… tunes that veer back and
forth between expansive romps and exquisite six-string meditations…
Principato guitar work at its most eloquent and expressive.
— Mike Joyce, The
Washington Post
It’s his guitar prowess that merits
attention. Principato effortlessly shifts tones… He’s
an excellent note bender and a concise, gritty player with an experienced
ear for building to multiple climaxes in his solos.
— Dave Hiltbrand,
People Magazine
A textbook example of heart-and-soul axe-wielding,
teary bent notes coming up hard against choked, breathless phrases.
— Ted Drozdowski,
The Boston Phoenix
Quick and clean, so what? Plenty of guitarists
can make the same claim. The thing that sets Tom Principato apart
from so many blues/rock axe slingers is taste, even as he steams
through a stinging, smoking set, he never forgets to play the spaces.
With a repertoire of pounding string strangling shuffles, screeching
Texas-style blues, airy jazz hummers, and crisp swings, Principato
likes to keep his set list as fluid as his playing, which builds
and crashes, subtle and smooth, to tooth rattling and string strangling,
then back again.
— Greg Land, Creative
Loafing, Atlanta GA
Let me tell you what I felt… Exhilaration!
Exuberation! I sat wide-eyed and slack-jawed as Tom enchanted me
with his talent, bathing me body and soul, with his fine, fine playing.
“Virtuoso” is a word too easily applied to the undeserving
these days, but its a word that fits this guitar master perfectly.
I’m willing to say that Tom Principato is destined to achieve
legend status.
— Layla Ferrante,
The Musicians Exchange
Principato is a great unsung hero of the
blues guitar, and he further demonstrates this point on “I
Know What You’re Thinkin’!,” one of the best guitar
oriented rock and blues albums since Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Live
Alive.” He really unleashes, grabbing listeners by the throat
with his searing, nearly out of control attack. Sounds like this
guy is trying to stake a claim. He’s earned my respect.
— Bill Milkowski,
Guitar World
Long known to guitar aficionados for a fluid
style that encompasses blues, jazz, country and rock and roll, Tom
Principato appears to be on the verge of some serious success. ”Blazing
Telecasters,” an album he recorded with Danny Gatton in 1984,
was finally released last year, to critical acclaim; it is being
considered for a Grammy nomination.
— Jim Coen, Guitar
World
A master of give and take, Principato makes
sweat bead up on your forehead as he slowly and purposefully bends
the strings.
— Dick Johnston,
Reflex Magazine
It’s a pleasure to hear a guitarist
with such formidable ability play with true grace and style; using
his most stinging licks sparingly and with maximum effect while
laying back and playing those really deep blues at just the right
moments.
— Dave Clingan,
Blues Notes, Portland OR
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Tom on Facebook:
The Long Way Home
A Brand New CD Release From
Tom Principato & Steve Wolf
Read
about this title and
listen to soundbytes at the Powerhouse
Records Website.
Robert Johnson
Told Me So
Read
about this title and
listen to soundbytes at the Powerhouse
Records Website.
Tom Principato
uses and endorses…
• Fender
guitars and amps
• Seymour
Duncan pickups
• Curt
Mangan Strings
• Roger
Mayer effects
• Fulltone
effects
• SoundSeat
music seats
Check out Tom's Chord Book with
4,000 chord voicings. Guitarists will find it a valuable reference
whenever something special or different is needed...
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