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"Revolution Not a Revival" by Thomas McClary is an upbeat pop album that exhibits a very diverse array of influences. The most prominent are gospel, R&B and urban. But this is certainly only the beginning with this very diverse album. There are subtle hints of Latin, house, blues, rock and electronica as well. Overall, the album is very well-produced and radio-ready. The arrangements are creative and filled with depth. The vocals are are tight with lots of layers and heavenly harmonies. Moreover, there is a very appealing, upbeat, and soulful vibe throughout the entire album. Highlights include "Put Em in Da Sky," which contains one of many great hooks, a club feel and great vocal performances all around. "I'll Serve You" is as smooth as silk and full of soul. "Yours for the Asking" is a definite sing-along with more great vocal performances. If you like Lionel Ritchie and Usher, this is one CD you do not want to miss.
-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team - RadioIndy
You may remember Mr. McClary as the Commodores' bespectacled guitar slinger of endlessly inventive rhythm licks and soaring signature solo on "Easy." Well, he's reelin', rockin', rollin' and even hip hoppin' for The Lord now on his first solo album in several years. The title truly says it all. That Thomas remains sharp and young at heart is revealed from the gate on the intro by his son Ryan (who produced the track) and a rap from the senior McClary. From there, a collective of young, inspired vocalists pass the mic on songs that move from down south club bangers ("Put 'Em in The Sky"), reggaeton ("Come On God's People" featuring great guitar work), laidback soul ("I'll Serve You") and power pop ("Whatsoever Things I Do") to introspective country ("If Money Could Talk"). McClary – who was a writing powerhouse for the Commodores - penned all of the tunes but generously shares the spotlight with his deserving young collaborators on these 13 hooky and undeniably radio-worthy smokers.
- Urbannetwork
Discography
DISCOGRAPHY
Thomas McClary A REVOLUTION NOT A REVIVAL
A Revolution Not A Revival - Thomas McClary
Release Date : January 2008
The Commodores Caught in the Act
Caught in the Act (1975) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
The Temptations Emperors of Soul
Emperors of Soul (1994) - The Temptations
By: The Temptations
Credited Role:Guitar
Song List: Come On, Oh, Mother Of Mine, Romance Without Finance ...
Listen and Buy on Yahoo
The Commodores Hot on the Tracks
Hot on the Tracks (1976) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Song List: Let's Get Started, Girl, I Think the World About You, High ...
Original Soundtrack Endless Love [Original Soundtrack]
Endless Love [Original Soundtrack] (1981) - Original Soundtrack
By: Original Soundtrack
Credited Role:Guitar
Song List: Listen to Songs on Yahoo by Endless Love Endless Love, Dreaming Of You, I Was Made For Lovin' You
The Commodores In the Pocket
In the Pocket (1981) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Song List: Listen to Songs on Yahoo by Commodores Lady (You Bring Me Up), Saturday Night, Keep On Taking Me H...
Commodores (1977) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Song List: Listen to Songs by Commodores Squeeze The Fruit, Funny Feelings, Heaven Knows
The Commodores Ultimate Collection
Ultimate Collection (1997) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Producer, Vocals
Song List: Listen to Songson Yahoo by Commodores Machine Gun, Slippery When Wet, Sweet Love
The Commodores Commodores Live!
Commodores Live! (1977) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Song List: Listen to Songs on Yahoo by Commodores Won't You Come Dance With Me, Slippery When Wet, Come Inside...
The Commodores Natural High
Natural High (1978) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Take 5 Against All Odds
Against All Odds (2000) - Take 5
By: Take 5
Credited Role:Guitar
Song List: Listen to Songs by Take Five [1] Shake It Off, Hottie, Bounce
Midnight Magic (1979) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Original Soundtrack My Fellow Americans
My Fellow Americans (1996) - Original Soundtrack
By: Original Soundtrack
Credited Role:Composer
Song List: Listen to Songs on Yahoo by My Fellow Americans Funkytown, Superstition, In the Midnight Hour
Machine Gun (1974) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Song List: Machine Gun, Young Girls Are My Weakness, I Feel Sanctified
Anthology: The Best of the Commodores [1995] (1995) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Song List: Listen to Songs on Yahoo by Commodores Let's Get Started, Machine Gun, The Zoo (The Human Zoo)
Commodores 13 (1983) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Producer, Vocals
Song List: I'm in Love, Turn off the Lights, Nothing Like a Woman
R&B Crossover Oldies, Vol. 1 (1996) - Various Artists
By: Various Artists
Credited Role:Producer
Song List: Listen to Songs on Yahoo by R&B Crossover Oldies, Vol. 1 Love Makes A Woman, Wiggle, Wiggle, Drift Away
Movin' On (1975) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Motown Year By Year: The Sound of Young America, 1985 (1995) - Various Artists
By: Various Artists
Credited Role:Rhythm Arrangements
Song List: Listen to Songs on Yahoo by Motown Year By Year: The Sound of Young America Rhythm Of The Night, Go Home, Say You, Say Me
1978 Platinum Tour (1978) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Song List: Machine Gun, Sweet Love, Just to Be Close to You
Commodores Live! (Remastered) (2002) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Vocals
Song List: Listen to Songs on Yahoo by Commodores Won't You Come Dance With Me, Slippery When Wet, Come Insid...
Very Best of the Commodores [Motown] (1995) - The Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Composer
Song List: Easy, Three Times a Lady, Nightshift
Classic Commodores: The Universal Masters Collection (1999) - Commodores
By: The Commodores
Credited Role:Arranger
Photos
Bio
THOMAS McCLARY__________________________
Biography
Those amazing guitar riffs you know from the legendary Commodore albums are the sounds brought to life by Thomas McClary, the founding member of the trendsetting group that topped the charts for decades.
It all started while Thomas (known to his friends as T-Mac) was in line to enroll at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1968. He heard a young man behind him whistling a song from jazz saxophonist Eddie Harris. “Are you a musician?� McClary asked. “No, no� the young man said. They chatted a while, then agreed to meet at the house of the young man’s grandmother. The shy kid ended up making the cut for the band that was ultimately to become the Commodores. His name was Lionel Richie.
Tommy was part of the sextet, who won pop, R&B, country and gospel awards, for sixteen years and was responsible for at least as many hit songs as a co-writer and co-producer, he opted to leave the group. Marriage, seven children, and the formation of a non-profit " Brickhouse" Foundation to give back to the community as his thanks to those who supported him throughout the years, became his focus. He served as Director of Music at New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando for seven years, and recently resigned to embark upon a new journey.
Now he is back with a fresh and exciting sound. His self-produced debut solo CD entitled, “A Revolution Not a Revival� includes inspirational songs he has written, combining all of the musical genres he has mastered throughout his remarkable career. He is excited about the new direction which integrates his musical roots (as a kid from Eustis , Florida, his parents preached a “heavy, heavy� Christian lifestyle) with today’s sound and beats and lots of soul. A mixture of gospel, inspirational, R&B, rock, pop and even hip hop tracks, Tommy has once again created a sound all his own.
In addition to numerous Commodores’ hits for which Thomas collaborated with Lionel Richie, they co-wrote songs featured in movies such as “Endless Love� and “Thank God It’s Friday.� It is Thomas’ unique and chilling guitar licks that helped to set the Commodores apart from any other band of their day. “Easy,� “Sail On,� and many other hits showcase his extraordinary talent.
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