Back To Artist
Michael Tomlinson : The Way Out West
Log in to add to your wishlist
A beautiful singer-songwriter release that reminds one of the days when full albums were great, like early James Taylor and Jackson Browne records; the songs range from folk pop and folk rock to hauntingly beautiful ballads.
Genre: Pop: Folky Pop
Release Date: 2008
The Way Out West
Michael Tomlinson
Record Label: Desert Rain Records
  • Buy CD - $18.00
  • Download Album (MP3) - $9.99
SPECIAL: 30% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!

Share This Album

| Share
Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. The Way Out West 5:02 + MP3 $1.29
2. Valentine 4:51 + MP3 $1.29
3. Wild Horses Run 5:23 + MP3 $1.29
4. One Way Through 3:52 + MP3 $1.29
5. Seattle Skies 4:28 + MP3 $1.29
6. Big Moon 4:41 + MP3 $1.29
7. Another Way to Love You 4:18 + MP3 $1.29
8. Things That I Don\'t Know 4:31 + MP3 $1.29
9. Flag of Human Kindness 6:26 + MP3 $1.29
10. One Breath 5:08 + MP3 $1.29
preview all songs

Album Notes

Michael Tomlinson has been well known since the late 80s for his jazz-inflected vocals and strong, poetic lyrics. The Way Out West is a long awaited return to a full band format. Michael has released several solo acoustic discs over the last fifteen years but this is his first full production in over a decade. Two years in the making, it's a rich mixture of rhythmic, melodic songs, ranging from rock and pop influenced to folk and country. In fact, those influences permeate almost all of Michael's music until finally, it simply becomes his own genre: Michael Tomlinson Music.

Tomlinson was born and raised in Texas, beginning to write songs in his early 20s - before he could even play an instrument. By his mid-twenties he was moving around Texas seeking a way to get a foothold in the music business. His first real break came in Seattle where he wrote a song about a famous mountain climbing event and the song became a huge success on local radio. He moved to Seattle and started his career releasing his first album, Run This Way Forever, on his own Desert Rain label.

From there it was a series of record deals and convoluted world distribution deals for the next few years before he decided to take back ownership of all his music and find a more peaceful way to live and play music. In the years since, Michael has continued to release a new record of brilliant new tunes every few years and play occasional concerts around the US.

With the release of The Way Out West, there is speculation that a resurgence is coming, look for much more touring and activity in this upcoming year.

Read more...

REVIEWS

I cannot believe...
author: Chris from Germany
                            
... how this guy could sidestep me for some 20 years! Not to think I've waited for a record like this for even a longer time and even JT couldn't help me out of this misery ;-)... Wonderful tunes and lyrics going straight to the heart. "Another Way to Love You" is one of the sweetest love songs I came to listen to in the last couple of years. You can't help listen to it over and over again. Highly recommendable! A record that makes you feel better by its mere existance! And indeed gives you a peaceful easy feeling...

                            Read more...
A voice as easy as the summer breeze and great lyrics too!
author: Steve Ramm
                            
I happened upon a track from this CD (the one titled “Flag of Human Kindness”) on a sampler and Tomlinson had me hooked from the first few words. The arrangement, the lyrics and – most of all his smooth and gentle voice – bring back the best of the 1970s “easy folk” period. Think Seals & Croft and you’ll hear their sound in Tomlinson’s songs. From what I know he had a career back in the Lp days and moved from Austin (before it became the singer/songwriter haven it is now) to Seattle and clean fresh air of the Pacific Northwest. (You can that region in his songs as well.). He became a big hit on the popular Seattle station KEZX and I can see why.

Anyway, back to this CD. With a few exceptions, where his backing musicians give off a smooth jazz beat (that’s Miles Gilderdale from the smooth jazz group Acoustic Alchemy on guitar), the sound is more folky with great dobro work from Mike Grigoni. The lead-off track, the CDs title song, is perfect lead in to an hour of well-crafted lyrics and, again, a voice you want to hear more of.

Tomlinson may have been big in the Pacific Northwest for years but he’s a new discovery for me and I’m glad I found him. The packaging is also simple and well done with full lyrics – in print you can actually read!

Steve Ramm
“Anything Phonographic”

                            Read more...
The Way Out West
author: Wendy L. Stiles
                            
Michael's new release, The Way Out West, is a wonderful CD that is rich in meaningful lyrics,healing melodies,and is one of his best creations yet. Every song soothes the heart and soul in a way that makes you want to listen to it several times a day.

                            Read more...
Sell your music on CD Baby and iTunes! Minimize this Tab Open this Tab