Now Playing: Anton O’Donnell’s ‘Tomber Sur PRW’

Anton O’Donnell is gearing up for the release of his first solo album. It's titled Tomber Sur PRW and drops on October 27, 2023. But first, for those of you not yet familiar with the artist in question, a bit o’ background.

Anton O’Donnell

Anton O’Donnell is both the frontman of Anton & The Colts and a solo artist. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland. He has entertained others as both a recording artist and an international live performer.

Signature Sound

Anton O’Donnell’s signature sound is a mix of multiple music genres including blues, country, folk, and rock n roll. These are the genres he loves.

Tomber Sur PRW

In a recent email, O’Donnell shed a little light on the name and origin of this all-original disc titled Tomber Sur PRW. For those who don’t parle Francais, “Tomber Sur PRW translated into English [is] Falling On PRW. PRW is Paisley Road West…” It’s the name of the street where O’Donnell lives.

The title for this release comes from a song O’Donnell released in 2021 named “Je Ne Sais Quoi” which is off his EP, Where Art Thou April. “‘Je ne Sais Quoi’ and the concept behind the album title are a million miles from each other; the song centers around a chance meeting with a woman, one of those rare types that just strikes ye and you think to yourself, ‘damn, she’s cool’. The concept behind the title is a wee bit darker.”

O’Donnell, and the album’s co-producers, Brian Brinkerhoff and Frank Swart, all agree that the nine songs chosen for this release “just stuck out as being connected with each other in terms of the lyrical content/narrative. A commentary if you will, on the burden that can come with modern life, and the weighted-drain it can put on other aspects of your life.Tomber Sur PRW – instead of falling for a woman, falling for all the noise and life’s forces.”

On this 44-minute album, O'Donnell leads the way on acoustic guitar, harmonica, and lead vocals. He is backed by an assortment of other artists including John Deaderick on keys; Russ Pahl on pedal steel; Christian Pepin on congas and percussion; Scott Amendola and Derrek Phillips on drums, Roscoe Wilson on electric guitar and background vocals; Rob Ickes on dobro, Eamon McLoughlin on fiddle and mandolin, Mai Bloomfield on cello, Dennis Crouch on upright bass, Doug Lancio on slide guitar, electric guitar, mandolin and high string; Neil Rosengarden on trumpet, Swart on bass and electric guitar; and Shannon Hynes, Noriana Kennedy, Kelley Mickwee, and Alice Spencer on background vocals.

Track by Track

The album lead-in is “Kindness”. It’s an effective introduction to O’Donnell’s music and yet only foreshadows what is to come here as O’Donnell doesn’t limit himself to one music genre or style.

The second selection is “Skulduggery”. It flows evenly from the previous piece as O’Donnell prepares to take listeners on a journey through his own personal perspective and musical presentations.

The next number is “Roots”. His music takes root in the listener as O’Donnell just begins to show you what they can do.

The countrified “Dreams Fade Under The Weight” demonstrates how O’Donnell can draw you in with the fulfilled promise of new material and yet his steadfast vocals create a commonality that keeps his songs familiar and friendly despite the varying genres and themes.

“Shine A Light” is a quieter, nigh-solemn song. It’s a pensive piece that perfectly projects the spirit of a traveling troubadour. Like some of his other material here, it is vaguely Dylanesque.

“It Never Lasts” is an upbeat track that rocks. This one's road trip-ready.

The seventh songful serving is “Set It On Fire”. O’Donnell’s signature sound remains both solid and fluid which is always a great combination. There is both drive and purpose here.

Also included here is “Madman On The Loose”. This song-story tells a tuneful tale that is almost an expected prerequisite and yet O’Donnell makes it clear that we don’t really know anyone quite like the characters herein.

Not to be confused with the 2012 track of the same name, it is not a cover of the Django Unchained track composed by Luis Bacalov and performed by Rocky Roberts. This “Django”, like every other song here, is an original offering. It is a slower, quieter closing cut that allows listeners one more opportunity to appreciate O’Donnell’s abilities.

Overall…

Overall, this is a fine introduction to the artist and those already in the know have already deigned this release to be one of the most anticipated albums of the year. The material here is varied as O’Donnell explores several different music genres and styles. It’s about life, loss, and everything in between as he presents universal but personal pieces.

It is both refreshingly different, yet somehow familiar and that is always a good way to go when presenting new music. It has the cache of being new, yet is somehow familiar enough to draw in the listener. So, check out Anton O’Donnell’s Tomber Sur PRW, and experience the music of a “Madman On The Loose.”

(Images courtesy of Anton O’Donnell and Neil Mckenzie)