TOM HITT
Fairview, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"4 OUT OF 5 STARS! "Many catchy, fun, and thoughtful tracks populate the album. Overall a pleasantly fun album that captures the talent of a great song crafter." (Review of the CD 'Scribe And Jester')"
- Ben Speggen, Erie Reader, Vol. 1, No. 23 (Nov 16, 2011)
- Erie Reader
“Are all those mood changes on the same album?” I was asked that question more than once when listening to ‘Scribe and Jester’ from Tom Hitt, a man that approaches his idiosyncratic take on diverse musical meanderings with enthusiastic, versatile passion. Songwriters rarely span a range of styles and moods with equal dexterity and success – this one does. From the layered harmonies and quasi-psychedelic, folk rock echoes of ‘Just Bend’ through the nostalgic pop-influenced love song ‘Far From The Madding Crowd’ to the acidly observed, reminiscent humour of ‘The Southern Saying Song’ – Tom explores a range of moods and style-changes to deliver a roundly encompassing journey through his view of American folk.
In Tom’s world, traditional folk happily joins hands with folk rock, pulsating pop, love songs and witty observations. It’s a mix that works its magic on so many levels. Overtures of West Coast Americana rock, waltz-tempo pop and acoustic alt-folk narrative - each song, serious or witty, precisely crafted, with acutely observed lyrical explorations – just listen to ‘We Could Never Be That Way’ and ‘In The Biblical Sense’. His lithe lyrics are much like his instrumental eclecticism, where single guitars sit comfortably with melodicas, glockenspiel and mandolin; and of course the rather more out-of-the-ordinary instrumentation offered by bulbul tarang (the so-called Indian banjo) and doumbeck drum.
On ‘Scribe and Jester’, Tom is joined by Davy Sturtevant on guitars. There's also the previously observed host of sound producing instruments, sound-bites and devices including glockenspiel, doumbeck, melodica, guitars, bulbul tarang, ukele, mandolin, drumset, human voice, wild birds, bongos, stirring drum, bass guitar, cowbell, jingle stick, payphone bells, Casio SA-76 and Roland guitar synth – I’m pretty sure there could be a kitchen sink in there too. - FolkWords.com
Discography
SCRIBE AND JESTER - June 2011
GLIMPSES - the debut CD by Tom Hitt, 2010
Photos
Bio
Tom followed in his older brother's footsteps and became a musician. Earning a degree in music education from WVU with an emphasis in percussion he began his teaching career. Tom has been writing and performing for over 25 years. He now writes, performs and records full time.
Tom Hitt Music
An innovative songwriter and performer, Tom creates music because he’s enamored with the world around him. He observes myriad circumstances with a sense of whimsical wonder and a bit of social commentary.
DISCOGRAPHY
GLIMPSES - the debut CD by Tom Hitt, 2010 (ASCAP)
SCRIBE AND JESTER - July 2011 (ASCAP)
"4 OUT OF 5 STARS! "Many catchy, fun, and thoughtful tracks populate the album. Overall a pleasantly fun album that captures the talent of a great song crafter." (Review of the CD 'Scribe And Jester')"
- Ben Speggen, Erie Reader, Vol. 1, No. 23 (Nov 16, 2011)
“For those of you unfamiliar with Tom Hitt, he is a writer and musician like no other. He's a man of serious thought and fearless humor, and incorporates both into his music. He creates a different mood for nearly every song, from simple guitar and vocal productions to orchestras of musical obscurity, each capturing the idea like nothing else could."
- Tommy Link, Tommy Link Music Blog
“Tom Hitt is a tremendous troubadour. The man knows how to write a great song, put on a great show, and be a stand-up kind of guy on and off the stage”. Tommy Link, singer/songwriter
“A great songwriter, and a tremendously talented musician". Deb Bartle, freelance writer
INSTRUMENTS include prepared guitar, vocal, melodica, bulbul tarang, toy piano.
Debut CD contains songs about stories ripped from the headlines. Tom's music is eclectic but wheelchair accessible.
Music is available for perusal at http://reverbnation.com/tomhitt
Links
