Tom Freund "X-Mas In Texas" - review by ThisIsModern.net A short little collection of Christmas tunes, Tom Freund's foray into the holiday spirit is wonderful. He brings his vibe to a few originals and a Christmas classic, connecting his holiday warmth and experience with the listener. He's a remarkable songwriter and shows that no matter the subject or arena, he is able to deliver. Key Tracks: "Christmas In San Antonio"; "Xmas (All We Need)" Produced by Marvin Etzioni and featuring Greg Liesz on pedal steel and electric guitar and Don Heffington on drums. ***After concluding a summer tour with longtime collaborator Ben Harper, LA Weekly commented, "While Ben Harper found success with his folkie soul, Tom Freund has looked more to the Tom Waits school of the raspy sing-talk,and after two solid albums on his own Surf Road Records, his Copper Moon is set to get him the recognition he deserves." A sought-out standup bassist, the talented, versatile Freund plays most of the stringed instruments as well as piano on his albums. "Sweet Affection" is the title and lead off track on Tom Freund's latest CD, which encompasses three new songs from the studio along witha live set recorded at a Sweet Relief Benefit in Santa Monica, California. 50% of the proceeds go to Sweet Relief: A Musicians Fund, started by Victoria Williams a decade ago. His debut album North American Long Weekend on Red Ant/Mercury received an avalanche of critical accolades, most notably in The New York Times in which Ann Powerscalled it an "unexpected gem" and ranked it #3 in her year-end best-of poll. 2001's Sympatico drew even more raves. No Depression proclaimed that Freund "captures slices of Americana in a way that many attempt, yet very few actually master." Freund also is a favorite of NPR's Weekend Editionand has been championed by Los Angeles' powerful KCRW-FM, where he performed live on Morning Becomes Eclectic. Tom writes all his own material and his songs continue to be featured on such prime time TV shows as Las Vegas and One Tree Hill as well as such films as Jam and the upcoming MGM "Charlie Bartlett." Steven Spielberg's SHOAH Foundation also used three of Tom's compositions for their Giving Voice video. In 2001, he won a Telly Award for the music behind a National Public Service Announcement concerning child abuse. He continues to tour North America and Europe playing with his band or doing solo shows. For More Information go to: WWW.TOMFREUND.COM and WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TOMFREUNDMUSIC "A fitting soundtrack to "On the Road" : Gorgeous wide-open spacious scenes, explorations of the young heartand quests from personal truth unfold in its literate, rootsy songs." -NEW YORK POST "Freund clearly delights in enigma. His vocals could go from laconic to impassioned without such obvious trickery as cranking up the volume. His lyrics are full of curveballs." - WASHINGTON POST "Journeyman Freund is soundtrack ready. He made an album that is all at once addictive, stylistically diverse and honest to the core." -MSNBC