Thomm Jutz: To Live in Two Worlds Volume 1
www.mountainhomemusiccompany.com
Reviewed by Brenda Hough
Song List: Mill Town Blues, I Long to Hear Them Testify, Calling Me Home, Where the Bluebirds Call, Moving Up Moving On, Blind Alfred Reed, Hartford’s Bend, Jimmie Rodgers Rode a Train, The Old Road, Mighty Hard to Travel, Wilmer McLean, Shelton Laurel Valley, Yesterday and Tomorrow, What’ll They Think Up Last.
Thomm Jutz left his native Germany in 2003 to follow his dream to live and work in Nashville. His success in the years that followed include performing as a guitarist in country bands, writing many top bluegrass and country songs, teaching songwriting, and performing and recording his own songs.
He’s gathered a fine group of bluegrass musicians: Justin Moses on banjo and vocals, Mark Fain on bass, Tammy Rogers on fiddle and vocals, and Mike Compton on mandolin. Their combined efforts roar out of the chute on the opening song, “Mill Town Blues.” The banjo-propelled song gives a nod to the talents of Charlie Poole and his short career. Thomm also salutes John Hartford in “Hartford’s Bend” with references to river boats and the banjo and fiddle dance a waltz with a “tip of the hat to the man with the hat.” Thomm’s warm voice wraps around this sentimental tribute to a great songwriter. Other songs recall bluesmen Blind Willie McTell and Skip James, and Blind Alfred Reed. “Jimmie Rodgers Rode a Train” is a gentle tale with Thomm’s guitar and voice telling the story of the singing brakeman whose career was short and packed with memorable songs. Cecil Sharp collected songs in the Appalachian mountains before World War I and Thomm tells his story accompanied by solo guitar
“Calling Me Home” is filled with bluegrass harmonies and a wistful return to a love and home. Mike Compton’s mandolin fills weave with Tammy’s fiddle in a delightful song. “Moving Up, Moving On” is another bluegrass band song, and the theme of hitting the road to find dreams and success is a well worn bluegrass theme also found in “The Old Road.” Thomm’s interest in American history is the focus of two Civil War songs, “Wilmer McLean” and “Shelton Laurel Valley.” Thirteen men were killed at Shelton Valley, and the mournful message “damned if you do, damned if you don’t, dead if you will, dead if you won’t” underscores the futility of war.
A true songwriter can easily flow from message to mirth and Thomm’s lighthearted “Yesterday and Tomorrow” was inspired by a shopping expedition for a garden hat. The ending song, “What’ll They Think Up Last,” chronicles achievements with the wry admonition that what is next isn’t as important as what is last. Next up for Thomm is Volume Two of “To Live in Two Worlds.” As he proves in this first go-round, he is a master of hard-driving bluegrass, whimsical plays on words, and an appreciation of musical form and variation. To be sure, Volume Two will no doubt be more song delights!