Tom Savell

Delivering lyrics with power and emotion, Santa Cruz, CA-based rocker Tom Savell captivates and charms his audience with an intriguing sound reminiscent of a modern version of The Moody Blues, and then surprises and delights when he switches mid-song from rocking guitar to a fiery violin solo then back. The award winning singer, songwriter, guitarist and violinist’s 2007 debut solo album You Just Gotta Love It is receiving extensive radio airplay, with the first single hitting #1 in February 2008 and the second single hitting #7 in June 2008.
Savell and his band have performed as Superior Olive for years, filling dance floors and concert halls at hotspots from San Diego to Santa Cruz, performing everywhere from original showcases to dance rock clubs to charity concerts for the likes of Toys for Tots. His latest solo project breaks away a bit and has a little more pop sound, but retains some of the progressive influences clearly heard on Superior Olive’s three prior indie album releases. With the radio-friendly progressive-pop arrangements on You Just Gotta Love It, Savell’s popularity is growing faster than ever.
The first single from You Just Gotta Love It, “So Deep Within You” hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary/Hot AC radio chart in February 2008 and the opening track “Simple Game” hit #7 on the AC/Hot AC radio chart in June 2008. And it’s not just radio that likes these songs:
`Any new artist that starts off their CD with two covers of Moody Blues founder Mike Pinder has got to be worth a listen. A cover apiece of Pinder’s 1968 Moodies b-side “A Simple Game” and “So Deep Within You” from 1969 are two of his best and Tom Savell does them both justice…’
Robert Silverstein, 20th Century Guitar Magazine, May 2008
Tom Savell received "Best Local Musician" in the Santa Cruz Metro Goldie Awards for the second straight year in 2008 and the You Just Gotta Love It CD was “Album of the Week” on music journalist John Shelton Ivany’s influential website. The accomplished guitarist and violinist, who regularly performs violin with “It’s A Beautiful Day” (David LaFlamme) was recently interviewed in the May issue of 20th Century Guitar Magazine discussing his musical influences and the instruments he uses to create his music.
“I finally had the means and opportunity to branch out and create an album of what I call unconventional songs that explore the many different sides of relationships. You Just Gotta Love It also gave me the chance to work with some of my favorite musicians from the area, as well as Aynsley Dunbar, who played drums with Frank Zappa and the original lineup of Journey.”
Though Tom has always performed his share of covers, Savell is a prolific songwriter who's composed everything from epic rockers to social commentaries and the heartfelt reflection “Lately I've Been Thinking” after emerging from intensive care one time. On You Just Gotta Love It, the singer takes a completely different approach, creating unique arrangements in a multitude of styles of eight songs from the rock era. Some are ultra-familiar, like “Can't Help Falling In Love,” which Savell re-imagines with a playful, fast grooving 80s new wave vibe; others like Neil Diamond's beautiful “Play Me” are well known but rarely covered.
“These are great songs which I think in some cases haven't received the audience and recognition they deserve,” says Savell. “Working with my producer Jacob John Save, I deliberately picked many tunes that people haven't heard before so they could be original in a unique way. I worked out my own arrangements to put in my own feelings of how they could best be heard and enjoyed by a modern pop/rock audience.
`…one need only listen to the solo present during “Play Me” to see the beauty of the act.’
Neufutur Magazine, Jan. 2008