Search - Tommy Sims :: Love & Peace

My favorite album of all time

David Lerner | Columbia, MD USA | 12/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The fact that this masterpiece is out of print is a testament to the sad state of the music industry today. Tommy Sims has been writing, producing, and performing on countless projects for the better part of 20 years, working with such musical greats as Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Cece Winans, and Israel & New Breed. This, however, is the first time that Tommy has ever been front and center, having written most of the songs, played the majority of the instruments (except for the drums), sang lead on almost everything, and producing the entire project.



The process of putting Peace and Love together took upwards of 5 years for Tommy to finish, and the result is an obvious labor of love. The album is filled with the far-ranging influences of Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, and countless others that I'm unfortunately not aware of.



When I first bought this CD in 2000, it did not leave my CD player for three months. I am also personally responsible for buying about a dozen copies to introduce friends to the excellence that is Tommy Sims. Unfortunately, now that the disc is out of print, I can't afford to buy extra copies for friends, but it's well worth the money to pick up a copy for yourself.



While it's understandable why the album was never a rousing success (mainly the lack of an identifiably "radio-friendly" single), it's still beyond me why it didn't gain a bigger following. Do what you must to track down a copy of Peace and Love - you will not be disappointed..."

An artist witout peers

Timothy Mundy | Atlanta, GA | 10/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is unlike anything currently out. What stands out most, at least for me, would be the PERFECT production. A big part of that is that these are REAL instruments being played by REAL musicians (no all MIDI and samples). The next other thing would be the incredible way with words Tommy has. He's part Stevie, a little Lennon/McCartney, maybe some Sly Stone, and one one track you would swear that Bobby Womack not only produced it but is also in the studio singing with Tommy. But it's still 100% Tommy Sims. It's the most refreshing thing to come along in a long time.Buy this CD, you will not be sorry. Deep lyrics, great soulful and damn funky original music, the fullest production you can imagine. You really FEEL this music, and not only the ballads. It's obvious why when Garth Brooks was looking to get funky with his Chris Gaines CD he sought this guy out. It's a damn shame record companies won't get behind something this good.Buy it Buy it Buy itYou will not regret it, trust."

IF MTV REALLY NEW GOOD MUZIK................

Andrae Williams | Toronto, Canada | 05/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If MTV really knew music.....this man would get lots of airplay. Tommy Sims is a breath of fresh air to the music world where all you need to get a good record these days is scantily clad women in videos, a catchy hook, some profanity of some kind, and good hook ups........and you got urself a hit! Tommy Sims is TRUE talent......songwriting, and musical arrangement at it's BEST (Stevie Wonder (sorry Stevie), R.Kelly, and Elton John eat your heart out). This guy is now my favorite song writer......and he is the most underrated songwriter and musical/vocal arranger out there. Now to the album. Oh man.....where do I start? "It Don't Matter To The Sun" sounds like a song Elton John would write and sing. "Write One This Way" sounds like a song Stevie Wonder would definitely write and sing. With the mellow keyboard and the synthesizer chords in the background, it could've been a song fit for Songs In The Key Of Life, easily. However, what I like about Tommy is that while you can kind of tell who his inspirations are by just listening to the grooves, he keeps his identity intact, and has his own style. He isn't trying to be like anyone. That's what separates the greats from the copycats.Anyway, I could say good things about every song on the album, "Ballad of Sophie" (sheer genius by the way), "When You Go", "Alone", there's is not one bad song on this album. If you listen to it and find a blemish, u don't have a clue about REAL music. You'd probably think that Ashanti and Britney Spears are musical geniuses. My brightest spots on this album? No.1)"New Jam", I could listen to that song all day and night, (has an Isley Brothers feel to it at the start too). No.2) "Way It Used To Be", the only song that sounds mainstream R&B-ish on the album, it could easily get play on Hip-Hop/R&B stations across the country( but dey ain't ready fo dis! Dey wanna play Ashanti!!!). Last but certainly not least, No.3) Love's Patience, I can't describe this one in words, sheer genius once again. Tommy, you are truly blessed w/ talent. Stay true to God and yourself man."