Search - Tommy Sands :: The Heart's a Wonder

Tommy Sands has a winner here

01/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a real "hit" for the ever-lyrical Tommy Sands. The jewel of this recording is the ever-hopeful, poetic first song, "The Music of Healing," which contains the line used as the album title. Working in collaboration with the grandfather of American folksingers, the great Pete Seeger (and joined by Seeger on the selection), Mr Sands has crafted an anthem for the world, a song of hope, peace, and love that is easy to sing. The line from the final verse, "Somehow the cycle of vengeance keeps turning until each others' sorrows and songs we start learning" is a lesson to be learned, and may evoke Mr Sands' earlier song, "There Were Roses," a poignant story of two friends and revenge. But this is not the only song worth the price of the CD; "Sudako" tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, whose story is a standard in the elementary schools. Soft and sweet, it tells the story of the death of a young girl in a simple, straightforward way. "Sailing Through the Sky" evokes the imagination of a prisoner whose mind takes him ever outside the bars, and "Goodbye Love, There's No One Leaving" recounts the sorrow of being with a parent whose memory has faded. But are all the songs on this CD serious and sad? No, this is Tommy Sands, who has a delicious sense of humour. "Back to School Again" and "A Little Bit More" are quick, upbeat, and just fun. "Shortcut Through the Fields" is wistful but upbeat, and "The Day We Won the All-Ireland" is an energetic song about elation after winning a championship. As always, Tommy Sands weaves a universality of theme with his Irish musical tradition and sense of place. It is a satisfying tapestry."

Tommy Sands - The Heart's A Wonder

Steve Siegelbaum | Bronx, NY USA | 05/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful variety of songs, passionately sung. The imagery is very evocative. "The Music of Healing," with a verse written and sung by Pete Seeger, is one of the finest songs I know of."