Tommy Ludgate

Tommy Ludgate used Slicethepie.com to fund her debut album - it was literally funded by donations from her fans. So does that make this a vanity project - actually no, it means that she has made an album on her own terms and without the questionable 'Guidance' of an A&R hack from a major record company. It also means that the end result is the music that she has been playing and showcasing for her fan base for the last few years - they actually did get what they paid for.


She has a fine voice, jazzy and soulful and she writes some pretty good songs as well. 'Sweet Release' is definitely one of the best numbers released as a single this year and features some fine guitar and voice box and the title track. 'Wall Of Words' features just her voice over a piano and shows that her voice is good enough to stand on its own - She doesn't need to hide behind big production numbers. That said, on a number like 'Temporary Lover' she is happy to leave the band to play around her vocals and has enough chops to work within the music. Considering the fact that she is only 22 years old she seems to have developed a huge talent in a short time.

So, apart from looks, voice, song writing ability and youth, just what has Tommy Ludgate got going for her? Oh, apart from an extremely loyal fan base that includes Hugh Padgham?

This is one hell of a Fine debut album. Jazzy, soulful and with some great songs, Ms Ludgate is sitting in a congested part of the market but she has a more personal take on her music than the likes of Duffy or Joss Stone and she is a lot less 'produced' and a lot more natural than most of her contemporaries.

Maybe not yet the finished article but one hell of a base to develop from.