It’s been four years since we’ve had a new album release from Tommy Fleming and fans can be assured that All These Years – a 3CD Set which celebrates a 30-year career, will most certainly not disappoint. It’s been two years since a live Tommy Fleming concert, but live music is back!
All These Years compilation brings you nostalgia, passion, hope, history, love, friendship and respect channelled through a variety of tracks which include popular favourites like "Isle of Innisfree", "Come what May", "I Dreamed a Dream", "Raglan Road", "Sweet 16", "Old Clothes", and "Scorn not his Simplicity."
This album and tour portrays the very best of Tommy, his dedication to his craft, his relentless insistence for sublime quality, his endless pursuit of something new, something different, something to challenge him and ultimately something unique for his fans and once again he has achieved all of this and created a ‘must have’ salute to a successful three decades in the music industry.
Like many, he was grounded in March 2020 but that did not stop him diversifying. Let us recall what Tommy did during pandemic enforced lockdowns. He brought us 'Jeep Tunes' - 100 days of singing his heart out, navigating familiar 2k then 5k then 10k limits. Social media was his stage, the confines of his jeep was his studio.
Eventually accepting that it was time to challenge himself to rise above his technophobia – he persisted and mastered the workings of a fairly fancy hi-tech, previously-gifted camera and brought us ‘Garage Tunes.’ Perhaps it was the cold garage, perhaps it was just Tommy being Tommy but he took it one step further and devised ‘Tavern Tunes’, inviting his fans into his home every Saturday night for a popular live stream show. All in all Tommy connected with a staggering 4.5 million viewers during these quirky innovative ventures.
Making the best of the prevailing circumstances, gradually his once strained relationship with technology was gently teased and woven into his comfort zone, Tommy’s focus was as always on his audience. Lockdown afforded Tommy the luxury of uninterrupted time to concentrate on this album. It exudes the very essence that has been Tommy Fleming over ‘All these years’ - every single chord, bridge, chorus, intro, drumbeat, key change, pause, air, lyric, crescendo was listened to – intently and repeatedly – by Tommy.
He sought out new voices and worked tirelessly on unique, melodic, superbly-blended, duet material for this special album. At this stage, technology played a huge role in enabling him to work once again, albeit remotely, with Elaine Paige and Murisia.
Changes – so many changes, but one thing we have learned about Tommy, is that he embraces change exceptionally well. He does not falter when faced with diversity, he merely ‘reviews the situation’ and goes for it.
He proudly stands over the excellent standard of this album and yes, he just insists on being the best he and his team can be because he firmly believes, that is what his fans deserve.
The 30th Anniversary Tour is travelling to every part of the isle, a concert set is compiled of a perfect mix of new, old, contemporary, modern and musical theatre. Whilst all of Tommy’s concerts have been a musical experience not to be missed, this show, it’s fair to say, is a celebration of 30 years of songs with a finesse that deservedly showcases Tommy’s voice and full band that sees him hold his place amongst the top rankings - not only on the Irish music scene, but also on the international market.
Tommy has always related his diverse taste and appreciation of all music genres to the legacy afforded to him via the conduit of the vast eclectic record collection of his dearly departed parents.
Here is a man who has never, ever, forgotten his roots. Staying focused and grounded is what has allowed Tommy Fleming to soar. His self-belief, his never-give-up attitude, his sheer tenacity for excellence, has once again, even in the midst of a pandemic, produced yet another fine work of art and this album is without doubt, one of his finest.
Tommy will be taking to the stage in the Claremorris Town Hall this evening, Friday, February 18. Doors open at 7pm with Show starting at 8pm. Tickets are available online at www.townhall.ie/tickets or by calling the Box Office on (094 ) 9310999.
