Soul Cry by Tom Gavornik
Released April 19, 2005

Tom Gavornik has over forty years of experience as a teacher, producer/arranger, and jazz guitarist/composer to his professional credit. He has both the respect and admiration of radio personalities and music publications worldwide. Radio play and strength in CD sales throughout America and Europe have been abundant as well.

Tom is a musical pioneer and a daring guitarist, as is quite obvious in his most recent release, Soul Cry. His style, which is vastly helping to shape the course and scope of modern jazz, is diverse in melody and resplendent with creativity. His compositions are lively and spirited. A huge fan of The Beatles since their arrival on the music scene in the early Sixties, it becomes evident in his vibrant, yet unusual melodies. Though his other influences include the likes of Clapton, Beck, and Hendrix, artists such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Frank Zappa, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and many others come to mind. It depends on the song really. Many guitarists' styles arise, musicians of other instruments, too, and often within the same piece. His admiration for post-bop horn players is evident, as their styles and sounds pour forth from his mind and fingers, and as a result, accentuated onto the frets of his synthesized instrument.

Soul Cry, his seventh release, is a double CD set, and is a lengthy journey through the musical vistas of Tom Gavornik. Though contemporary and modern in a jazz approach, many atmospheres and styles prevail. There are no boundaries. That becomes apparent as soon as the first cut, 'What You Lose, is What You Find' gets going. The fusion of jazz and rock with overdriven and synth guitar sounds is astounding, yet precise throughout. The twenty-five minute 'Rainy Days, Comic Book Dreams' is a hodgepodge of ever-changing dream moves and emotions, ranging from melancholic to joyful in feeling. It's a good example of his playing, both in lead melody and in rhythmic changes. The track has a swing feel to it, yet still modern, and becomes bluesy as well. 'Anger' is a fusion-backed poem, recited by Tom's wife Joan. It's alive with offbeat passion and interesting guitar pick thrusts. 'One More Lullaby', a twenty-minute pleasantly relaxed track, finalizes the set's first CD.

The second CD opens with a 44 minute cut entitled 'The Grieving Path'. (Yes, it's 44 minutes). Tom's playing (he prides himself in being a Telecaster player mainly) is highlighted throughout, as is the bass playing of Steve Lucas and the drumming of Kirk Driscoll. Tom's style in this one ranges from that of James Burton to Roy Buchanan, both masters of the Fender Telecaster. Track 2, 'Hostage, No More', is a bluesy, harmonic exploration. Track 3 is an alternate take on the same, yet spotlights Steve Lucas on fretless bass, while Gavornik adds dynamic chord changes. The set closes with a short, spacey tune called 'Final Sting'. This one ends like a cliffhanger, leaving the listener yearning for more.

The music is fascinating and the guitar playing is brilliant. In fact, the talent of all three musicians is indisputable. The CD set is a voyage you'll want to repeat on a regular basis. The compositions, though innovative and modern, aren't over-the-head or too extravagant; they're listenable and memorable. Tom Gavornik is, without a doubt, a guitarist for the twenty-first century. 'Soul Cry' is proof of it.

Soul Cry:

Disc One

1) What You Lose, Is What You Find

2) Rainy Days, Comic Book Dreams

3) Anger (featuring Joan Gavornik)

4) One More Lullaby

Disc 2

1) The Grieving Path

2) Hostage, No More (guitar version) (abridged stream)

3) Hostage, No More (bass alternate version)

4) Final Sting (arranged by Steve Lucas and Kirk Driscoll)

Tom Gavornik: All guitars, Roland guitar synthesizer
Kirk Driscoll: drums, percussion
Steve Lucas: electric and stand-up bass

All music produced by Kirk Driscoll and Tom Gavornik
All music composed by Tom Gavornik
Published by Broken Swing Productions
Label: Mia Mind Music

Links:

Tom Gavornik Website
Mia Mind Music
Soul Cry on Amazon