Customer Reviews

Peace & Love

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The fact that this masterpiece is out of print is a testament to the sad state of the music industry today. Tommy Sims has been writing, producing, and performing on countless projects for the better part of 20 years, working with such musical greats as Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Cece Winans, and Israel & New Breed. This, however, is the first time that Tommy has ever been front and center, having written most of the songs, played the majority of the instruments (except for the drums), sang lead on almost everything, and producing the entire project.

The process of putting Peace and Love together took upwards of 5 years for Tommy to finish, and the result is an obvious labor of love. The album is filled with the far-ranging influences of Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Croce, and countless others that I'm unfortunately not aware of.

When I first bought this CD in 2000, it did not leave my CD player for three months. I am also personally responsible for buying about a dozen copies to introduce friends to the excellence that is Tommy Sims. Unfortunately, now that the disc is out of print, I can't afford to buy extra copies for friends, but it's well worth the money to pick up a copy for yourself.

While it's understandable why the album was never a rousing success (mainly the lack of an identifiably "radio-friendly" single), it's still beyond me why it didn't gain a bigger following. Do what you must to track down a copy of Peace and Love - you will not be disappointed...

This CD is unlike anything currently out. What stands out most, at least for me, would be the PERFECT production. A big part of that is that these are REAL instruments being played by REAL musicians (no all MIDI and samples). The next other thing would be the incredible way with words Tommy has. He's part Stevie, a little Lennon/McCartney, maybe some Sly Stone, and one one track you would swear that Bobby Womack not only produced it but is also in the studio singing with Tommy. But it's still 100% Tommy Sims. It's the most refreshing thing to come along in a long time.

Buy this CD, you will not be sorry. Deep lyrics, great soulful and damn funky original music, the fullest production you can imagine. You really FEEL this music, and not only the ballads. It's obvious why when Garth Brooks was looking to get funky with his Chris Gaines CD he sought this guy out. It's a damn shame record companies won't get behind something this good.

Buy it Buy it Buy it

You will not regret it, trust.

If MTV really knew music.....this man would get lots of airplay. Tommy Sims is a breath of fresh air to the music world where all you need to get a good record these days is scantily clad women in videos, a catchy hook, some profanity of some kind, and good hook ups........and you got urself a hit! Tommy Sims is TRUE talent......songwriting, and musical arrangement at it's BEST (Stevie Wonder (sorry Stevie), R.Kelly, and Elton John eat your heart out). This guy is now my favorite song writer......and he is the most underrated songwriter and musical/vocal arranger out there. Now to the album. Oh man.....where do I start? "It Don't Matter To The Sun" sounds like a song Elton John would write and sing. "Write One This Way" sounds like a song Stevie Wonder would definitely write and sing. With the mellow keyboard and the synthesizer chords in the background, it could've been a song fit for Songs In The Key Of Life, easily. However, what I like about Tommy is that while you can kind of tell who his inspirations are by just listening to the grooves, he keeps his identity intact, and has his own style. He isn't trying to be like anyone. That's what separates the greats from the copycats.Anyway, I could say good things about every song on the album, "Ballad of Sophie" (sheer genius by the way), "When You Go", "Alone", there's is not one bad song on this album. If you listen to it and find a blemish, u don't have a clue about REAL music. You'd probably think that Ashanti and Britney Spears are musical geniuses. My brightest spots on this album? No.1)"New Jam", I could listen to that song all day and night, (has an Isley Brothers feel to it at the start too). No.2) "Way It Used To Be", the only song that sounds mainstream R&B-ish on the album, it could easily get play on Hip-Hop/R&B stations across the country( but dey ain't ready fo dis! Dey wanna play Ashanti!!!). Last but certainly not least, No.3) Love's Patience, I can't describe this one in words, sheer genius once again. Tommy, you are truly blessed w/ talent. Stay true to God and yourself man.

I like things that don't get popular attention. This gem by Tommy is a nugget of gold in waste land of what world believes is music! Surprised and delighted by the production that still
is fresh listenings. W O W! REAL music worth every penny! If your stuck listening to whats popular, or those idle throats vibrating to remakes your stuck alright. If your longing, or dying for something good PLEASE BUY THIS MAN'S CD! You'll be recharged and richer for it! Now thats value :)

I think Tommy and this album surpass stars....but rather should be rated by galactic proportions!!! It's the type of project you can be proud to say you own. It's the type of project that is not just about album sales but about quality. My absolute favorite track is 'Sophia'....the string arrangement is mad!!!. His acoustic touches are clean and his vocal tone is unique. This is a must have for the professional, budding, and amatuer musician.

I would give this album 100 stars if possible. I can't believe
the world is sleeping on this. It is music at its finest. THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE!!!
It captures all music genres without being overwhelming. I believe every instrument on the planet must have been used. I see and hear music differently now. GET THIS ALBUM!!! IT'S WORTH IT!!!

This CD was just delivered to me on Monday of this week. I can't stop playing it. It is the bomb! It would be impossible for me to list a favorite track so I won't even try. I will never understand why the industry overlooks such spectacular talent as found in Tommy Sims, Rahsaan Patterson, etc., in terms of promotion. There are the obvious comparisons to Al Green, Stevie Wonder, the Spinners, Bobby Womack, Donny Hathaway, and my dear Mr. Gaye. But what about the subtle homages to cats like Lou Rawls (listen closely), the Isley Brothers, and Tracy Chapman (that's right I said Tracy Chapman). This brother's talent surpasses all others out there, (save for Rahsaan Patterson, of course). I would love for the two of them to do something together. I love the fact that Tommy Sims can't be categorized and put into a box...he defies categorization. This is a must-buy for any die-hard fan of the 70's soul music. Highly recommended.

What happened?? Y2K has almost restored my faith in a new r&b resurgance. Tommy Sims, along with artists like Rahsaan Patterson, Jill Scott, Lucy Pearl, Macy Gray, Frank McComb, Corey Glover, Cree Summer,Glen Scott, are keeping the flames of organic soul alive. Sims' cd astounds at each successive listen. Sure, you can hear the influences, a little Stevie here, some Al, Bobby Womack, even some Philly Soul styled string arrangements. But Sims makes them his own. 100 and A New Jam do just that....JAM. Summer with Stevie guesting on harmonica is the best Stevie song you've heard in a long time. Ditto for Write One This Way,listen to the way the drums, rhodes, and moog melt together and you'll swear it's '73 and you're listening to a lost track from "Innervisions", while Alone should have Al Green smiling harder than he already does. Diggin' this one deeply.... this is one to keep.

i just can't understand how the world slept on this man. my dad actually bought the cd for me and told me i would be surprised. on my word, for the next 2months , tommy was all i listened to. i won't get into all the comparison's, but i've yet to find ANY artist that captures music and lyrics like tommy. i almost cried on "sophie", and thought that al green was singing with him on "alone" tommy still writes for other artists, im just waiting for his next project. 10 stars!!

I won't get into all the comparisons of Tommy to other great artists, the influences are obvious. This CD should put Tommy Sims along side those artists, and it will be he that now influences & inspires those that follow.

What I suggest is that you put this CD on, get comfortable in your favorite sofa or chair, turn the lights down and let this gifted artist share his vision of "Peace & Love". It will touch your soul.

His music & lyrics continue to take me to a wonderful emotional level, like something sweet that you just can't get enough of. Tommy's been paying his dues for a long time and I can only wish that "Peace and Love" will now take him to a "Higher Ground".