Tommy Schneller - Smiling For A Reason (2011) + Backbeat (2016)

He knows the festivals in Europe and the small clubs on Beale Street in Memphis - Tommy Schneller is at home on the big stages of the world! His charming, distinctive vocals and earthy, warm saxophone sound have made him one of Europe's most beloved blues musicians in recent years. His new album Smiling For A Reason gives an impressive testimony to his extraordinary repertoire.

Together with musician & producer Henrik Freischlader, 10 first-class songs were created in the studio. Featuring drums, bass, guitar, organ, Fender Rhodes, fat brass sets, groovy percussions and supporting backing vocals, this album guarantees an authentic soul / blues / motown experience. This gets under your skin, an absolutely rare release!(google)

»Backbeat«: The sixth album of the Tommy Schneller Band is coming full circle around the corner. Off in the slot with CD 1 of the two-part digipack: Jens Filser's dirty slide guitar saws off, after seconds, the Blues / Soul locomotive rolls through the brain and stops for the next 49 minutes.

"Rhythm is truth," Tommy barks into the microphone at the opener "Backbeat." A line that could be tattooed. Leaning back, the seven-piece band groove through ten great songs. This is timeless blues music with rock edge, which is always synonymous with a leg in the soul. In the center stands Tommy's distinctive voice - the cigarette on the cover is no decoration - and his unmistakable saxophone.

Sophisticated arrangements and warm, punchy sound give each song its own face. Whether "Trust In Yourself" with funky guitar, bubbling organ and playful brass sections, the hard-rocking "Cold Attitude" or "Let Your Soul Shine" with dedicated backing vocals. Danceable earwigs are churning out here. Only in the dreamy duet with Dorrey Lin Lyles called "Barefootin '" may be briefly relaxed. Otherwise, there is no break for the Dauerwippenden foot.

This comes in dimly lit clubs as well as on the big open air stage and in the car on the way to work the album awakens the desire for traffic jam. You just want to listen to this record and then it's best to do it again.

The Tommy Fast Sound breathes the air of Beale Street, but on CD 2 Tommy dares to do an experiment and sings three songs in his mother tongue. Blues-rooted music with German lyrics - can that be good? It can. The translated versions are at least as authentic and casual as the English-language numbers. The big advantage: you can start singing even faster.