Tom's repertoire—from traditional shanties to songs fashioned out of his own seafaring background—recruits his audience for a voyage by turns reflective, dramatic and humorous. Born in Northern Ireland, Tom's Celtic heritage is obvious in his clear, strong voice, evoking quiet sorrow for a fisherman lost to the sea just as honestly as it powers out a shanty "to be heard above the gales."
With songs that have become folk standards; known and sung wherever great choruses ring out; Tom accompanies himself on button accordion and ukulele—but it's that powerful vocal style and infectious humour—that quality of entertaining—which keeps audiences coming back again ... and again.
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"highly infectious ... I can't help but be caught up in the magic myself and add my own voice to the choruses." - Mike Regenstreif, Sing Out! Magazine
"...full of emotion and rich in truthful detail." - Les Seiminuik, Penguineggs (www.penguineggs.ab.ca)
"...the works of a greatly gifted songwriter. His recordings are filled with a vibrant authenticity that is timeless." - Gerry Taylor, New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
"A consistently strong set that packs a wallop. Fine stuff with real bite." - Living Tradition Magazine UK
"It's impossible not to sing along." - Dirty Linen
"...a charismatic stage presence ... the tang of salt still lingers in his lyrics." - Stephen Pederson, Chronicle-Herald, Halifax NS
"A 'singer-songwriter' who is truly both halves of the hyphenate!" - Reel Times, Austin, TX
"Tom has carved a niche for himself in the annals of maritime music, his traditional idiom song writing is up there alongside Tawney and MacColl". - Seán Laffey, Traditional & Folk Music Directory UK
"Thoroughly entertaining ... brimming with robustly resonant harmonies and songs, by turns traditional and contemporary, thoughtful and whimsical." - Mike Joyce, The Washington Post
"Don't ask whether you should buy this album (360°). Just decide on how many copies." - Dai Woosnam - Living Tradition - Issue#6
