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Jim Armstrong
"Mudtown"
(Sonic Deli Records)
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Mudtown is a straight ahead alt-roots-rock album that shoots from the hip and aims at the heart. With his first solo CD, Mudtown, Toronto-based musician Jim Armstrong has crafted a collection of thirteen songs with musical and emotional hooks that stick unshakably with the listener. The CD was released through Sonic Deli Records
(sonicdelirecords.com) on May 10, 2007. Armstrong is an accomplished singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who has spent many years performing (drummer and/or front man), developing and producing indie artists, as well as writing and recording for corporate clients. He has also scored films such as Canton Film Studios’ The Adulterer’s Guide to Toronto (2007). Now, he’s stepping authoritatively in front of the curtain to unveil Mudtown, his solo debut. The title and driving spirit of Mudtown were born during Jim's wanderings through downtown Toronto, where he lives, works and walks his dogs. Jim explains, "Life can be dirty, rough and mean, but there's a breed of people who struggle against the grind and somehow keep their humanity. They don't get hard, like the city, and that's what makes Mudtown liveable." "Jim is a genuine hero, an inspiration to all who are faithful to their art.” — Andy Frank, CIUT He defends the underdog through his music by dispelling the modern myth of perfection. This is an album that the working class will understand. He writes songs about real characters from everyday life, singing their stories with passion. Early reviews of Armstrong’s new material have already drawn comparisons to the master singer-songwriters of Americana roots-rock — Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Tom Petty and Canada’s own Fred Eaglesmith — in that their music shares a working-class sensibility and honesty. Straightforward but rock-solid guitar, bass and drums dominate the tracks. Musical chops are provided by Armstrong himself (guitar, drums, keys, harmonica and more), unshakable bassist Wes Miller, backup vocalist Rob Maurin, and a roster of guests on backing vocals (Debbie Shessel, Amer Diab, Jennifer Claveau) and on lead guitar including Bruce Dies, Ron Bechard, Kenji Miura (aka Kenmi Chank) and Phil Kane. Up-tempo tracks like “She Spins Around,” sentimental tunes like “I’m Coming Home,” and the sing-along “Gypsy” are gestures to mainstream rock-pop. The image-rich “When it Rains” broods darkly in an alt-rock corner, while “Heaven Only Knows” is a rock-and-roll adrenaline kick. Jim Armstrong - Select Media and Testimonials: There are a number of international music reviews pending of MUDTOWN; here is a brief mention on AMERICANA HOME PLACE: "Mudtown is the debut release from Toronto singer-songwriter Jim Armstrong. Armstrong mixes a retro blues-rock foundation with Americana sensibilities. Reminiscent of the work of John Hiatt and fellow Canadian Fred Eaglesmith, Armstrong's music has a gritty, earnest edge for fans who enjoy the rockin´ side of Americana." Here is great mini-review of MUDTOWN on Chip Frazier's excellent music blog, AMBER WAVES OF TWANG. Chip's reviews are also posted on another terrific music site, TWANGVILLE. You may read the entire article here and below is the excerpt: "Jim Armstrong - Toronto based singer - Songwriter Jim Armstrong makes his debut with Mudtown He is an accomplished producer who has worked with number of independent Canadian artists. Although the comparison may not be fair, He is clearly influenced by John Hiatt. After working all of these years with other artists he is finally releasing a solo album of his own. In fact to call it a solo album is an understatement since Armstrong wrote or Co-wrote all of the songs, produced the album and played most of the instruments himself. The result of this tightly controlled process is an infectious hook laden Americana album." Kelly Dearmore also writes an excellent review of MUDTOWN on his music blog, THE GOBBLERS KNOB: "A couple of days ago, I wrote about Canadian Kathleen Edwards. Then I read about other Canadian acts that are a little country and a little rock and roll. Today, I make my daily trek over to the Waves of Twang that are Amber in Color and see that he is also becoming more enamored with our chilly neighbors to the north. While we are all in the mood to inform folks about the many ways in which Canada rocks, I would like to also agree that Jim Armstrong's latest CD, Mudtown is a worthy listen. Artist like him seem to fall into a group with early Steve Earle, Chris Knight, and even John Mellencamp when he isn't singin´ about how trucks prove to the world that this is indeed "Our Country". I have never quite jived with such groupings, however. Chris Knight continues to bellow dark, gothic tunes of murder and betrayal while he stays as far away from the mainstream as he seemingly can. Early Earle is a far cry from the latest incarnation of the Hard-Core Troubadour, and like I said earlier Mellencamp is belting out jingles these days. I concur with Chip's John Hiatt comparison over any other attempt to offer fans of a certain artist a suitable alternative. What struck me the most about Mudtown was how the disc seemed to effortlessly transition from bluesy-rockers like "Heaven Only Knows" and softer, more thoughtful alt-country tunes such as "I'm Coming Home". This disc was released on Sonic Deli Records, in which Armstrong is a key player..." read the original here. AmericanaOK host Tom Fahey says [of Mudtown]: "...this album is a real grower...that's a very beautiful song there, Tomorrow's Gonna Be Grand, from a very fine album indeed." Rene Leverink, AltCountryNL "...let's not beat around the bush; "Mudtown" is a beautiful record..." Jan Janssen, Real Roots Café "...Armstrong reveals that he is not only a skilled songwriter but also a fine multi-instrumentalist and producer...beautiful radio songs...this is almost an hour of pure rock and roll adrenalin kick..." Benny Metton, CtrlAltCountry "...with Mudtown he [Armstrong] steps out onto the floor and he does so particularly well...brings to mind the work of masters Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seeger, Tom Petty and compatriot Fred Eaglesmith." Chris White, publisher, Party In Kingston "... Mudtown is 13 highly clever tracks...witty lyrics, innuendos and inspiring messages...closest to a conceptual album I´ve heard in years...highly recommended for your audio library." Dan Wolovick, Two Way Monologues "...Armstrong is vibrant, fresh and enthusiastic...I haven't heard an album that sounds this crisp, with such spectacular production, in a long time..." Todd Wachtel, The Jersey Toddshow " I can't stop playing this album [Mudtown]. I highly recommend it. Jim's got a wonderfully unique feel to him, and sets a fantastically cool mood." Bert Gagnon, Neon Productions Radio, Musictogousa.com "...Even though this is Jim Armstrong's first solo album, Jim is no novice to the music arena and it is very apparent as he has hit a homerun his first time out. Here is another artist that will be on our play lists for many years." Andy Frank, CIUT 89.5 FM "Freed of some of the shackles of epilepsy, this gifted song-writer and multi-instrumentalist, with shades of Waits and Bachman, played his first live gig (post-op) at Healey's... Jim is a genuine hero, an inspiration to all who are faithful to their art." Myrocia Watamaniuk, television host for Rogers Daytime Toronto "When Jim sings, you know he's singing from his heart." Keith Ross Leckie, Emmy and Gemini award-winning writer/producer (Lost In The Barrens, Journey Into Darkness, The Arrow) "Over the years Jim Armstrong's music continues to surprise and entertain me. His first album "Brown Bag Lunch" revealed a strong and confident talent as a musician, singer, songwriter and arranger in different genres. And now his new album, "Mudtown", fulfills that promise again. I find myself looking for films to make that can take advantage of Jim's accomplished music." E. Thomas Canton, Director/Producer "As the director and producer ... I found that working with Jim Armstrong and Andrea Poulis was not a matter of simply that the songs and the music created for The Adulterers´ Guide to Toronto were without a doubt Oscar caliber ... I dare anyone not to agree with me." Jon Long (of the national Long & McQuade musical instruments stores) "Jim is an incredibly talented musician. His music needs to be heard." Sonic Deli's Benefit Concert for Epilepsy Toronto 2007
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