Chasing the Wind
Artist: Tom Hemby 
Label: Autumn Records, Integrity Music, EMG
Time: 12 tracks / 56:54
 
For the better part of three decades, the name Tom Hemby has lurked in the fine print of the liner notes of albums by artists such as gospel superstars BeBe and CeCe Winans,  Michael McDonald, classic rocker Steve Winwood, and a host of others too numerous to mention. Now Hemby brings his considerable programming, writing and (especially) guitar-playing skills to his new instrumental solo project, Chasing the Wind. At just under an hour, this CD offers a musical travelogue of the artist’s soul, as well as providing a showcase for his world-class fretwork on the McPherson steel string guitar – add into this mix various keyboards, basses, percussion instruments and drum programming (all done by Tom), and solid commercial production (with all songs written and produced by Hemby), and you’ve got a project that you can slide into your CD slot whenever you need a funky instrumental fix. 
 
The twelve tracks cover light jazz, Latin, funk and ballad styles all with equal mastery. The opening track, the appropriately titled, “Pull a Few Strings,” sets the stage with a tight, jazzy groove laid down by Hemby with funky bass, rhythm guitar, and some very convincing drum programming, all under some impressive guitar runs. This leads quite seamlessly into “Highway 51,” the album’s second track – if you miss the pause (don’t sneeze) you’ll think this is part two of the same song – it certainly could be performed that way, even with the addition of some synth work on this track. The one-two punch of these opening songs makes a powerful and impressive eight minutes of jamming.
 
With the third track, Hemby moves into a more adult-contemporary jazz style – “Chasing the Wind” is the guitarist’s reference to the book of Ecclesiastes, and its commentary on the futility of so many aspects of life. The song adds a string sound to the background, which perhaps works against the concept of life’s frustrations, but does suggest a ‘chasing’ wind.
 
The dreamy, atmospheric “Every Now and Then” brings to mind the classic band, Focus, in the middle period of their career, when the frenzied jazz/rock/classical group turned to more synth and guitar-oriented light jazz pieces. The cleverly titled, “Filet of Soul,” follows this track with a mid-tempo soul-funk number that is reminiscent of much of Larry Carlton’s earlier solo work – well played, fun to listen to, but lacking a strong, lasting hook or identity. 
 
“Mingo Rain” is a track that will delight guitar fans everywhere, as it features the project’s only guest spot, and that guest is none other than Phil Keaggy! While Hemby handles fretless bass, steel string acoustic, synth and drum programming, Phil is left to create some signature electric guitar solos that take the song to another level. As it seems the case sometimes is with Phil, his playing on other people’s projects seems to be less inhibited and more daring than on some of his own – the solos he creates here combine all of the majestic, soaring beauty and blues-based emotional fury that this legend is capable of. Perhaps Tom automatically slipped back into his support-mode here in recognition of the specialness of the playing on this track.
 
Getting closer to the end of Chasing the Wind, we have “A Sad Goodbye,” which is another moody, delicate, lovely instrumental ballad that creates a wistful, contemplative mood. This is followed by the Latin influenced “Zihuatenejo,” full of amazingly fast, clean runs and precision finger-picking on the McPherson acoustic’s steel strings.
 
If there’s a weakness on this project, it might just be that Hemby is too good at what he does! It seems as if the one-man-band aspect of the album keeps Hemby within a safety zone (albeit a pretty cool one) of his abilities. Writing the songs and creating ‘the band’ pretty much means there’s little chance of spontaneous creation within a session. The afore-mentioned Larry Carlton seems to have learned that there’s a need to interact with other musicians to really bring out some fire in your playing, and seems to be making more of an attempt at getting out of his musical comfort zone – it would be interesting to see Hemby do the same. Tom Hemby is an amazing talent, and has produced an album of songs that will delight guitar players (and those who love to hear great guitar players) as well as fans of adult-contemporary ‘light’ jazz with a little salsa mixed in. The compositions serve the playing more than the reverse – as with many albums with songs written by instrumentalists, the songs sometimes become a bit aimless, although the playing remains impressive. I’d love to hear him play in a live ensemble context, where he could stretch.
 
Tom Hemby is a major player that needs more recognition. He’s one of those guys who can do it all (I wonder if he can sing, too…?) and has an amazing track record of past accomplishments. _Chasing the Wind_ is a fine addition to your collection if you enjoy great guitar work and a breezy, soulful ambiance.  By all means, chase it down.
 
By Bert Saraco 
www.myspace.com/expressimage      
http://expressimagephoto.tripod.com
 
Add half a tock if you lean more towards adult contemporary than rock…