TOM HENSLEY: Taking America to America

Tom Hensley

Taking America to America

© 2004 Jenkins-Peabody (782488010527)

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Silly backstage songs featuring the Neil Diamond band

tracks

1 Taking America to America
2 What is a Touroid?
3 Inky Dinkle Boogie Woogie
4 The Zen Master of Hang Time
5 The Ballad of Pat Hand
6 Island Love
7 Dear PBI
8 Hosty
9 That's the Way the Money Go
10 See a GeRF
11 The Catgut Tango
12 Horndog Victory Chant
13 Sky Trolley
14 Life's a Funny Proposition After All

notes

At the conclusion of Neil Diamond's wildly successful 2001-2002 tour, his band scattered to their various homes and projects as usual. But pianist Tom Hensley had decided to set a task for himself.

He planned to record a CD of songs based on humorous pieces from his on-tour newsletter, the PBI, which has been published on every Diamond show day since 1986.

His original plan was to record it with just piano and vocal and burn enough copies for the band (Touroids, he calls them), but the first piece he did was about the Horndogz (Diamond's stellar horn section), and they volunteered to come in and play on the track.

He was so pleased with the results that he began discreetly asking other band members to come in and take part in his project, and by the time it was finished this fall, almost everyone in the band had contributed something to the album, and his co-keyboardist Alan Lindgren and Diamond's recording engineer Bernie Becker had come aboard as co-producers.

The modest little gift item turned into a serious album project, and "Taking America to America" has turned out to be quite a peek into "the scenes behind the scenes behind the scenes" of a major music tour in the 21st century.

Besides the Horndog Victory Chant, there are songs about the Catgut Grrls (Diamond's string quartet on the 2001-2002 tour), the tour's accountants, the room in which the musicians eat their breakfast, the plane on which they fly, the mysterious alter ego of guitarist Hadley Hockensmith, the mythical genius behind their occasional poker games, the mysterious charges on their hotel bills, an imaginary fan letter from a smitten fan, and other peculiar aspects of the touring life.

Hensley sings a few novelty songs and then lets the better singers in the band (including Linda Press, Julia Waters, Doug Rhone and King Errisson) step in to do the serious work.

In its 28 years of existence, the Neil Diamond band had never done an album of its own. It still hasn't, but this is the closest thing to it.

reviews

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  • Great cd for Neil Diamond-fans
    author: Lesley Hopman

    Lots of fun! A great cd! Thank you Tom for sharing your hillarious NDRRT-life with us!

  • "There is a balm from Hensleyville"
    author: Katie Reynard

    to soothe the saddend soul" This is a great cd for those with a sense of humor and love to laugh out loud. Life is too short to take it all seriously. I want tho hear this cd live from Tom & the NDRRT - would go with or without Neil (perhaps better with Neil). Anyone who ever has performed would love this collection of funny-bone bustin' lyrics. Come on Tom - give us more!

  • Tom Hensley and crew are priceless fun, and the tunes sweet.
    author: Bill Dee

    This CD is exceedingly clever and tons of fun. The tunes will have your booty swayin' and feet tappin'. Recommend this one for anybody who likes great music and entertaining lyrics. The CD is an absolute winner!

  • A must have for all hard core Neil Fans
    author: Sean McGarvey

    On Taking America to America Tom Hensley has given the fans a glimpse behind the scenes (Or has he?) of what life on the road is like for the citizens of Diamondville. Forget Neil! Tom, I want to party with you! I wanted to come see you at the Forum, but, you know, with the restraining order and all... But seriously, Neil fans: Pick up this CD, light some candles, put some peanut butter on a bagel, and enjoy.

  • Excellent
    author: Michael

    I never wrote a review until this moment, but this is Neil Diamonds Band at its very best. I am enjoying every single story of the Tourids every day and can not stop to hear it again and again. I do really hope that Tom, and his good meeouwing catgut wife, do continue to realease their lifetime experiences further, together with the associated band members. I consider this hillarious and marvelous CD just as a beginning, and I'll never forget that Life is a funny proposition after all. Michael

  • What a fun CD!
    author: Rick

    The CD is nothing like anything I've listened to before. Having went to many concerts, Neil's included, Tom's (and the band's) musical rendetion of life on tour was fun to listen to and attempt to interpret the meanings. Great CD

  • I LOVED "Taking America To America" and I'm Canadian, LOL.
    author: Susan Hamilton

    Dear Tom, I have to admit, I LOVED "Taking America To America" and I'm Canadian, LOL. I especially loved "Dear PBI". I related so well to that one. I might have been the beautiful woman who wrote it,... and then maybe not :). I want the drummers to do paradiddles on my skin too, LOL. I also loved "Inky Dinkle Boogie Woogie". This CD makes me want to be part of the band. I love you all, especially the one with the food stains on his shirt, and perhaps the lead singer, LOL. You all seem to have so much fun and then there is the problem with the money and the accountants, oh my! Anyway, I do really love this CD and I know I will enjoy listening to it for a long time, even getting moist with excitement at the thought of it, LOL. I am really pleased to have bought it and I will recommend it to all, especially those named Veronica, who sit in the middle of the front row. Perhaps I can change my name, LOL. Thanks Tom, it was really clever and a lot of fun. A fan always, Susan Hamilton. P.S. I really want to meet the Zen Master of Hang Time, or do I?

  • Reason why Tom is better than Neil:
    author: Shawnta Bush

    1. There is more to love. 2. His 'inky dinkle' list contains 'kinky dinkles'. 3. He can laugh at farts. 4. His ode to breakfast is heartbreakingly emotional. 5. Have you seen Tom on the CD jacket of A2A? Helloooo hottie!!!!

  • 5 STARS! Great cd!
    author: MNW

    Great cd. Bought cd for my dad and he loves it. He hasn't stopped playing it!

  • MOST FUN IN ONE CD!!!!!
    author: Linda K.

    The Touroids have outdone themselves. Kudos to you, Tom, for putting this all together. Very enjoyable and fun to listen to.

  • Just a fun, spunky and enjoyable sound
    author: Richard From Albany, New York Area

    The songs on this CD make you think of playing in the sand,looking up at the sky, running around in circles, playing ball, jumping rope, playing hide and seek.....taking you back to when you were a kid and having a great time... Put on a pair of headphones... close your eyes ... listen, dream,visualize and enjoy. Purchase worth every dollar spent.

  • Re creates all the fun they have on stage
    author: Phillip

    Great to see that these guys are having as much fun off satge, as they show they're having on stage. A standing ovation to you Tom!

  • First time heard - fantastic
    author: Peter Brown

    Very good CD. First time I have heard of Tom Hensley and I hope to hear and see him at the NEC in Birmingham England on 28th May 2005. Hope he has chance to play some of his own music. I will be at the back of the arena if he wants to shout at me.

  • Great CD!
    author: karen

    I've enjoyed the ND band live at concerts and on ND albums and I was surprised to see that this CD had been released. I then purchased it right away and it is really great. It shows off the talent that has been behind ND these many, many years and I hope they release more CDs like this.

  • And it has a beat you can dance to!
    author: Toni (in NC) Merendino

    Don't listen to this baby if you want something laid back and mellow! Only if your ready to be rockin' and rollin' with laughter! Lordy! What a Touroid ride! It's especially effective if you listen to it right after watching the STAGES DVD. All the faces, voices, and Tom's crazy lyrics kind of mind-meld together to produce a wild picture of life on the road with NDRRT. Thanks, Tom and the Gang!

  • Just add it to your basket right now
    author: Richard Bennett

    I had the very good fortune of touring and recording with these nuts for 17 years and can tell you that A2A is a most candid look at the Neil Diamond tour experience. That combined with stealth musicianship from the very folks who do that touring should be enough to recommend this disc. But in the end it's greatest strength lies in the lyrics of Tom Hensley and the fact that this is the funniest record going. Laugh out loud funny. So move your cursor up the screen, add it to your basket and plunk down your hard earned 15 bucks or whatever it is he wants. If you don't dig this record, look up Hensley and he'll cheerfully refund your money and take you to dinner as well.

  • Simply awesomely wonderful!
    author: lkb

    A2A gets top shelf in any CD rack I own. Thanks for the music, Diamondville, and a whole lotta fun!

  • Witty, funny, off the wall humor of life on the road!
    author: Don Jung, the "D" in "the R & D Project"

    After making beautiful noise on those hot august nights for so long, Tom Hensley has come out of the closet to record a witty satire of a musician's life on the road. Unlike his past life of seedy hotels, greasy spoons and run down beer joints, he has come up with a collection of songs about life in Diamondville that makes you laugh with joy. He puts a Dr. Demento's touch to a series of tunes that talk of hotel life and all the discomforts of touring with a flair for the hilarious. Dear PBI cracks you up and the Ballad of Pat Hand is off the wall. Tom Hensley has a genius for musical lunacy and his backup group is just sensational. ND should be so lucky that he has so much talent behind him. Take a listen and have some fun hearing about life in Diamondville, is it really that bad?

  • It is great fun and a most groovy CD.
    author: Jim Work

    This is a wonderful CD. The lyrics are very funny and provide some insight into the life of a professional musician. Mr. Hensley and friends are outstanding musicians, Neil Diamond is fortunate to have such people in his employ. I didn't hear a single clinker. From the standpoint of inspiration, it seems that Mr. Hensley is channeling Bill Evans, Slim Galliard, and Stan Freberg. I think he was Stan Freberg when he ordered his suit. This CD is a must buy!!

  • great fun album
    author: richard atkinson

    i really enjoy the listening to the album which i find very funny but great and i think the title track is a great dance number. it would be great to hear it live as a band number during neil's shows in America if he has a tour planned for over there next year. well done Tom and the band for a fine piece of entertaining musicianship. best wishes from richard in Scotland. looking forward to seeing you all next year,take care.

  • It's all been said, so beatifully by everyone....
    author: Lisa

    So about all I can add is, IT MAKES YOU LAUGH ALL THE WAY THROUGH!!! I love Dear PBI. Keep up the good work Tom. You are the Man. LOL.

  • Great new album ! And real fun !
    author: Walter (from Austria)

    Finally we get a CD from the members of Neil Neil Diamond´s band. And it was worth the effort. Great music, even greater lyrics (which show the great sense of humour of this band), and, of course, perfectly played instruments and voices. Strongly recommended ! Hope top hear one of the songs at the next Neil-tour.

  • A welcome treat for all Neil Diamond concert goers.
    author: Linda Pollard

    What a fun treat to experience the backstage and road lives of Neil Diamond's band, thanks to Tom Hensley's lyrics. Many of us have felt the urge to live the life they do, and this CD lets us get a taste of how crazy that life can be. Tom Hensley has a fantastic sense of humor that's reflected in the lyrics. The vocals and instrumentation is superior, just as any fan would expect.

  • Great Laugh from a great group
    author: Paul

    I couldn't resist ordering this Cd and I'm really please that I did. The talent of this group of musicians is obvious to anyone who has been to an ND concert and their sense of humour can be experienced at the Diamondville website. This album brings it all together. The first track is the best but the others just keep growing on you.

  • FUN! FUN! FUN!
    author: Sherene Casanova

    What A Great CD. It obviously will mean more to fans that are familiar with the NDRRT....but still a great CD. And might I add that Linda's voice on Island Love is the just gorgeous! Great Job Tom!

  • author: ambrose o shea

    this cd is one of the catchest cds around. the lyrics are great. linda should release her song as a single the band should release the zen master of hang time they also should perform it as there intro song when neil diamond intreduces them to his audience next tour dear pbi i have to say is brillent. i just love this album ambrose

  • Long Overdue
    author: Nan

    Totally enjoyable, Tom Hensley has a great sense of humor and knows how to put it to good use. Have enjoyed his other CD's but, this is very special of him to include all the other members of the band. If you know the band members, you'll understand some of the tongue in cheek refererences. Hilarious and great to hear all the members of Diamondville having fun putting all together.

  • Lots of fun!
    author: GloryRoad

    Love the tongue-in-cheek humor. From the first song to the last I found something to laugh about. Do we fans really look that nutty to you? Thanks for the insight and making us feel we are part of the family. Can't wait to see all of you on the road again!

  • Very enjoable and fun to listen to CD
    author: tomz

    Very enjoyable to listen to. A smile on my face and that is good cause I don't smile at everything. :) My fave tune off the CD is ISLAND LOVE (Linda should put out her own CD) A2A--- Fun hearing those song titles scattered throughout WHAT IS A TOURIOD--- So glad you didn't sing the whole song.Glad you did correct that problem INKIE DINKIES--Best boogie song on the CD! ZMOHT This is a great song.Or is it? BALLAD OF PAT HAND-- Bubba did a great job on his first try.Song reminds me somewhat of MiKe Nesmith tunes. ISLAND LOVE-- Beautiful DEAR PBI--- Really strange but enjoyable. HOSTY---Sweet tune Leaves you hungry for more THAT'S THE WAY MONEY GOES--- Spending it faster than one can make it.Not bad for being 25 years in the making. ASK A GeRF--Reminds me of a cartoon/carnival/circus/sideshow theme song CATGUT TANGO--Nothing better than A Catgut girl Another favorite HORNDOGZ FIGHT SONG-- Nice play on the words SKY TROLLEY--- A completely different type of song than the others on the CD.A lonely tune? LIFE'S A FUNNY PROPOSITION--A nice closing number,done well. Thanks to Tom and all involved in this CD.

  • What a fun CD!
    author: Diana

    Tom and other band members are so talented! What a fun CD to listen to. Hopefully there will be a CD signing along the way next tour to get some autographs on a great CD. Thanks to all involved with this.

  • Great backstage peek. Very droll.
    author: Galfond

    Must be fun to work in a group that has this kind of good humor.

  • Perfect CD Tom!
    author: Ron

    Tom has created a wonderfully vibrant CD that perfectly sums up the Diamondville touring experience, while featuring some really awesome melodies and, as always, infinitely creative writing. The Neil Diamond Band gives an amazing performance on this CD.

  • it's fantastic
    author: Lois Labendz

    this was just the medicine i needed to cheer me up - it was funny - delightful - excellent - tom's sense of humor never fails to amaze me

  • Highly recommend this CD!
    author: Linda

    Finally....a CD from the great group of musicians who have spent decades performing with Neil Diamond! All your favorites are here......Alan, Reine, Doug, Ron, Hadley, Linda, Julia, the Catgut gals, the Horndogs......and um...oh, yeah, the well-dressed piano player, Tom. This well written CD will keep you amused for hours and is a MUST have for any Neil fan!! Kudos to the band and to the person or persons responsible for the well written music and lyrics of the songs contained on this cd. Four stars (I would have given it five if Neil had made an appearance on it!!)

  • Excellent; good fun for fans of Neil Diamond's band
    author: Bev Lawrence

    Favorite songs are Taking America to America and Island Love. However, the entire CD is very enjoyable. Lots of inside jokes for people familiar with Diamondville. This CD really showcases the clever and humorous side of Tom Hensley. Lots of fun.

  • LOTS of FUN!! WAY to go Touroids!!
    author: Donna Sheraden

    LOTS of FUN!! WAY to go Touroids!! THANKS for putting this album out and including all of the Touroids and Richard Bennett--great music, laughs and insights of touring!! Keep up the great work!! Donna Sheraden

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