I found this description of Tom McRae ahead of writing this post and seeing him for the first time tomorrow night, 23 March in Strasbourg. I’m hoping to testify after the gig that the description is a fair reflection on the man!
Over the years Tom has garnered a reputation as a great live act, whether solo, trio, full band, or with string quartet. Tom’s relationship with his audience is very special, as anyone who has witnessed the shows can attribute. Despite McRae’s melancholy reputation, the shows are often funny, heartfelt, and rousing.
Over the past few months, I’ve been listening to some of Tom’s earlier albums to get me acquainted with his music.
However, it’s his ninth studio album, ‘Étrange Hiver’, that has intrigued and delighted me most so far.
If you want to take forty-two minutes out of your life to listen to some absorbing musicianship and dreamy ballads, then this is the album for you.
The eleven tracks combine a mix of French and English songs, recorded as duets with some of Tom’s favourite French artists.
As much as it’s a musical statement, it’s also a reflection of the loss he feels with the relationship the UK now has with Europe as a result of Brexit.
One question that could be asked of him is how he found eleven singers to add that je ne sais quoi to his songs. It seems almost unfair that every track appears to have some form of special meaning and keeps you totally absorbed until the ending note.
The vocals across the album sound so beautiful and heartfelt, a lack of French on my own part, cannot hide the respect that needs to be given to Tom in particular as the common thread throughout, but also his chosen collaborator for each track.
If I had to choose just one track that stands out as my own personal favourite then it would have to be the closing track, Inherit The Wind with Helena Noguerra providing the perfect combination to end this fabulous album.
Tom, I hope you find contentment with our European cousins. If this album is anything to go by, there are many, many more productive collaborations to absorb and bring to a wider audience.
Au revoir, et merci.
The song itself reminds me in many ways of Bobby Gillespie’s duet with Jehnny Beth, Remember We Were Lovers.
What is it with duets? With the right combinations, and I can think of a few, the majesty of songs come alive. Maybe that’s for another post.
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