Tumbledown: Reviews

Drift in from an alternate reality, a parallel Earth wherein softly-plucked acoustic guitars, honey-warm vocal harmonies, and soothing country-jazz textures are an integral part of pop music. Actually, we're not talking about the Twilight Zone here. In the early '70s, artists such as Tumbledown provided the backbone for rock radio.

But Tumbledown isn't just about baby-boomer nostalgia. This is a group with strong original material, enough to draw comparisons to James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, and especially Poco. The rootsy "The Right Thing to Do" is a work of beauty, a mighty pretty slice of classic country and Van Morrison soul.

Although Tumbledown wet their toes in country waters, they never make a complete plunge. The band echoes the eclectic influences and stylistic adventurousness of many FM radio staples in the late '60s. On "Comfort Me," Tumbledown recalls the Latin vibe of vintage Santana but also the dreamy lushness of Classics IV. "Sail Away" is a dead ringer for Crosby, Stills & Nash with its singalong vocals; however, it also includes a spellbinding instrumental jam that displays the group's impressive chops.

Our Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Tumbledown Sets Sail
If the songs on Tumbledown's Sail Away tend toward the bucolic and the melodies are tinged with an Eagles meets Grateful Dead meets James Taylor flavor, it probably has a lot to do with the fact that the songs were conceived in a cottage. Scott Swan and Alan Collins - the forty-somethings behind Tumbledown - grew up playing guitar in the Tumbledown/Webb Lake region of western Maine. Collins stayed in Maine, while [Swan] now lives in Florida. Growing up together, the two spent summers together playing music tucked away in the cabin that Scott's great-great-great grandfather once built.

Scott claims Alan is the one who taught him to play the guitar. "Now he can play circles around me," Collins laughs.

The two found peace in the region, so they decided to record the album's basic tracks over the course of three weeks, with the backdrop of those same.

"Sunset over Tumbledown is just a gorgeous time, and it is an unbelievably gorgeous lake, surrounded by mountains. That's where our formative years - and a lot of writing and playing - took place," says Swan.

The tracks on Sail Away truly sound homespun. Scott's teenage son cameos on "Comfort Me," which he also wrote.

Though the duet's obvious and cited influences are America, Jim Croce, James Taylor and Gordon Lightfoot, you can clearly hear the influences of bands like Led Zeppelin in the progressions of "Sail Away."

Swan describes their musical process: "Alan tends to have a clearer sense of the 'big picture.' He would hear things in the big picture; I can feel the details." Though the two find it hard to tour because of their geographical differences, they hope to hit up the coffee house circuit soon.

Click here to see the article as it appears in Skope Magazine.

Some days ago I received a copy of your fine debut album of Tumbledown, as I requested. I now want to thank you so much for sending it to me. As I expected, "Sail Away" is a fine and pleasant album and in fact I immediately started playing it on "Highway 61", my radio show of American music at Radio Voce Spazio. Since I grew up with the music of the 70's in my ears, I enjoy your mixture of pop, folk, rock, etc. It reminds me of the best days of such bands as America and The Eagles. The most important thing to me is that you did not use electronics and synthesizers instead of acoustic and real instruments.

More songs of Tumbledown will surely follow on air in the weeks to come. In the meantime, let me please thank you once again for your kind attention and wish you all the best.

[Sail Away] is from Farmington area musicians Alan Collins and Scott Swan (although Scott is now living in Florida). These long-time friends recorded this all-original disc at a camp in Weld in the summer of 2005. It has a nice, down home feel with most of the playing done by Scott and Alan with the help of some friends and family members. Fans of the Eagles should enjoy this CD.

Ernie Scholl owns and operates Everyday Music on Broadway in Farmington, Maine. He also writes a weekly music review column in the Big 5 section of the Franklin Journal, which doesn't currently have a web site.

Great CD With Fantastic Guitar Playing ! As a guitar player myself, I appreciate a great song with skillful guitar players and you'll find plenty of both on this CD. It's one of those CD's that will grow on you as you listen to it over and over. Keep up the great work guys!

I've been waiting for this CD for almost 2 years and am glad to see it come to fruition! Nice work and best of luck - hope to hear more of your music down the road...

Great CD. Music is easy listening. Can be soothing when having a very stressful day. All original songs.

Very enjoyable CD! It is good to know that there are still pure artists around. Great Job!

I would recommend this CD to anyone. Two thumbs way, way up! This CD has a very professional sound and it is great!!! I am excited to hear other songs from your group.

This is a collection of beautiful songs from Weld ME. I feel very moved emotionally & mentally by all the songs on this disc. I highly recommend this CD to anyone with a heart & mind. Very good job!!!

This is one neat set of songs. I really enjoy the smoothness in the acoustic guitars, the creative lyrics and the sincerity in Alan and Scott's voices. These songs definitely carry a lot of the acoustic magic of America's early days, along with a touch of the early Eagles and Dan Fogelberg sounds too. But I also hear the influence of other 70's artists, particularly Crosby, Stills and Nash and Bad Company in the song "Sail Away."

I keep hitting the replay on this Stardust song. It is my Favorite on the CD. I am loving the lyrics. I love the way the vocals are sung on this one, both the lead and background vocals. I can't help but sing along!

I also like how the song "Sail Away" can carry my mind away.... I love when songs can do that. I love to get lost in songs and lyrics especially. When I hear the creaking ship and then the soft guitar part comes in, I'm gone. I also really love how the song builds slowly to a peak.

It is easy to see that Alan and Scott put their all into this CD. I hope Tumbledown will keep on writing, playing and singing this nice music for a long time to come!

Guys, you are great. I'm glad you made it on the video game. Make another cd soon. I can't wait!

These songs sound great!

Really nice! Great instrumentals especially (nothing wrong with the voices either). Kaitlyn's voice sounds beautiful as ever!

I love the music. It completely rocks. Great job!!!!!!!!!! I hope you make another CD soon. I want more of your music. I listen to it very often.

Love the music! It's way awesome!!

Super music!

Good music, awesome people, what more could you want?

If you are like me and think a lot of music today is over-produced and over-orchestrated, you will really appreciate all the "raw" energy and feel to these songs. I love the way that Tumbledown highlights and emphasizes the acoustic guitars. All of the guitar work on this CD is great, but I especially like the long guitar solo in the title track "Sail Away."

I am a big fan of America, especially their earlier, more acoustic-oriented works and I definitely hear their influence in a number of Tumbledown's songs, especially "Stardust" (my favorite on the CD). And the instrumental "The Narrows" is absolutely awesome. It just makes me want to sit back, close my eyes and listen. Highly recommended!

Holy cow, this is America meets Jim Croce - which could never be a bad thing!