Music review: Tom Moran

Starting Over (Moran Music 2004)

By Ryn Gargulinski
From the get go, Tom Moran’s first album grabs the listener by its sheer relevance. Kicking off with the song, “Small Record Deal,” Moran asks a simple question – “Have you ever felt invisible in a room full of people?”

Folks who cannot relate to that inquiry are the only ones who may not be able to relate to his music.

And those, if any, are few.

The album gets more relevant – and even more heartfelt – from there.

Running the gamut from feeling chained, hopeless and drinking “because I had to,” to the sparkle of enlightenment and rebirth from his dead end way of life, Starting Over takes the listener on an emotional journey, replete with some snazzy background music.

Like his smoky-voiced lyrics, Moran’s guitar playing goes right to the heart.
Several tunes, like “Help Me Baby” and “I Would Drink” have that that sad, somber feel of the country chap who croons about his lost his car, home and girlfriend.

But this Brooklyn boy doesn’t leave the listener in the gutter. Some somber songs aside, the whole of the album remains uplifting, with a bluesy feel that gets shoulders swaying and toes tapping at the neighborhood bar.

Although a bar, these days, is not where one will find Moran. Unless, of course, he’s performing.

The lighter, softer songs also carry the album’s undercurrent of hope.
“Little Baby,” a song replete with love for his son, can easily be compared to a new-fangled lullaby. However, this is one lullaby that doesn’t end when the bough breaks and an infant tumbles to his death. This one is replete with honesty, hope and love.

Perfect ingredients for Starting Over.

Starting Over is available online at http://www.cdbaby.com/moran. Check out more on Moran at www.myspace.com/dinkymoran or by attending one of his performances in various venues across New York City.

NEXT PERFORMANCE:
7 p.m. on Jan. 17
Gamma Club
3608 33rd St
Astoria, Queens
Free adm. before 7 p.m., $20 thereafter

Moran is currently working on his second album, due out in 2007.
For more information, e-mail Tom Moran at zmoran65@yahoo.com