Music, Print, Reviews August 1, 2017

Album Review: Leslie Tom– Self-Titled EP

by Jay Wallace

Hailing from Denver, traditional country music songstress Leslie Tom spent a few years traveling around the country, opening for the likes of Josh Turner and sharing the stage with Jeff Bates and Lee Roy Parnell.

Tom takes her inspiration from the likes of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, classic country singers of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, and that shows. She even does an excellent cover of Cline’s “Leavin’ On Your Mind,” the song features Hargus “Pig” Robbins on the piano, who played the keys on Cline’s original song. This album is not along the lines of modern/pop-country music. It’s stripped backed, or old school, with fiddles and pedal steel guitars, powered by Tom’s mellow, sassy crooning. You slow dance to Leslie Tom with the person you love.

Tom’s dedication to traditional country music is evident in the beginning track, “Hank You Very Much.” It is a country song for country music fans, specifically Hank Williams’ fans. It is loaded with nods to Williams’ discography, taking the form of a “Dear John” song. (Wink.) The rest of the album consists of songs of love (“Every Other Friday,” my personal favorite, and “My Only Addiction,” a duet with newcomer Kevin Moon) heartbreak, (“Breaking  My Own Heart”) and family. (“The Hardest Thing”) Aside from her cover of “Leavin’ On Your Mind,” Tom co-wrote all the songs on the album, a first for her. This includes “Didn’t Think Twice,” a patriotic tribute to her grandfather who was a WWII veteran.

For those interested in a more classic country music experience, you cannot go wrong with Leslie Tom’s self-titled EP.