Tom Hambridge | Boom!

Black Rose Records (2011)

By TED DROZDOWSKI | August 23, 2011

3.0 Stars

Roots rock is the new country and ex-Bostonian Tom Hambridge is the style's current MPV. That's a role he played for years in Beanburg, leading the redoubtable bar band T.H. & the Wreckage and playing drums for legends like Chuck Berry and Roy Buchanan. But after producing Susan Tedeschi's Grammy-nominated Just Won't Burn, he skedaddled to Nashville and raised the ante by climbing up the Americana charts with his solo discs, winning Grammies with Buddy Guy and co-writing massive hits for Keith Anderson, Gretchen Wilson, and other mainstream sharpies. On BOOM! Hambridge pokes every corner of his roots, rock, and blues bag, nailing down grinders like the six-string slider "Never Gonna Change" and the clever heartbreaker "Upside of Lonely" with the help of ringers from Delbert McClinton's versatile band. He also reclaims the stinger "I Got Your Country Right Here," which was a hit for Wilson. His voice has grown some growl and sprung a drawl, but both suit him well as he delivers these roadhouse anthems with double-shots of conviction.

TOM HAMBRIDGE + LOS SUGAR KINGS | Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville | August 27 @ 7 pm | 21+ | 617.776.2004

Topics: CD Reviews , Music, rock, Tom Hambridge, More

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ARTICLES BY TED DROZDOWSKI

TOM HAMBRIDGE | BOOM! | August 23, 2011
Roots rock is the new country and ex-Bostonian Tom Hambridge is the style's current MPV.

COUNTRY STRONG | SOUNDTRACK | January 11, 2011
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