Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A Reverend Tomlin? Has someone discovered recordings of an ancestor to the famed American worship songsmith? No. This chap is no relation. As it turns out, no one knows anything about H R Tomlin and, in the words of the sleevenote, is "little more than a name in a discography and a handful of forgotten 78s." Tomlin was no "straining preacher," he was more a trained elocutionist so that the rhyming couplets with musical accompaniment on "Tell Me Where Is The Gambler" which could have been a fascinating rap prototype turns out to be a piece of stilted vaudeville. However, when the good reverent lightens up and starts to sing, as on the excellent "Lord, I Just Can't Help From Crying" the effect, with an old "lining hymn" feel, is timeless. Rev S J Worell was otherwise known as 'Steamboat Bill' and comes on a bit like the famed singing preacher Rev J N Gates. This is the straining preacher deal which we know and love, the good reverend's hoarse shouting taking his congregation through the peaks and valleys of a Bible lesson once there's been a short song from the congregation. Exciting stuff.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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