Beyond 1969

Back to the Blues

Horizon Music Group

Tom “The Suit” Forst is an artist with an impressive résumé for someone who did not begin his professional music career until the age of 57. He had worked as a corporate media executive for a major television company until the day he and his wife paid the final college tuition bill for their children. With that milestone reached, Forst put into motion a plan that had been years in the making: he became a full-time musician and recording artist.

Earlier, in 2018, Forst launched the weekly podcast Chasing The Blues, which has since completed its fiftieth episode. Endorsed by the Blues Foundation, the podcast explored the history and global impact of the blues. On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2020, Forst released the five-song EP World of Broken Hearts, featuring guest vocalists Christine Ohlman and Ethan Isaac; guitarists Paul Nelson of the Johnny Winter Band and Ryan Hommel; blues harp player James Montgomery; and drummer Travis McNabb.

This live in-studio album, recorded and produced by Vic Steffens, features vocalist and guitarist Forst alongside keyboardist Jeff Bousfield, bassist and vocalist Tony Delisio, and drummer/percussionist Bryan Caudle. All of the songs were written by Forst, except for one by Delisio and one co-write.

The album opens with “I’m Never Gonna Leave You,” featuring the strong rhythm section, as Forst sings, “well it doesn’t matter what you do…I got a hold on you…you got to understand you’ll never leave me, I’m gonna be your man, you may not be my woman, but you’re gonna be my wife”.

On “Feels So Good To Feel So Bad,” Forst chimes, “why does it feel so good to feel so bad…your a bad one, gonna drive me mad, why does it feel so good to be so bad”.

“Consolation Man,” another Forst original, flips the script on troubled relationships. It features excellent organ from Bousfield as Forst chants, “Late at night, you put out the light, but your man ain’t home, I’m your consolation man, you got bedroom eyes, I’m your consolation man”.

On “Comin’ Back To The Blues,” Bousfield switches to piano as Forst moans, “all around the world, I met all kinds of girls…nothing much to lose, I’m comin’ back to the blues…sometimes I feel like a fool, when I strap on my guitar, I’m comin’ back to the blues…comin’ back”.

“I’m Not Over You Yet” finds Forst groaning, “I’m going down so many roads, I won’t be comin’ back…there are memories, I’m not over you yet”.

“Darkest Before The Dawn,” the co-write, includes Forst crying out, “I love the darkness just before dawn, I love midnight, like lovers do…when I make love to you, I love the darkness just before dawn”.

On “Goin’ Down,” another Forst original, he sings, “I was born in the woods, just a long winding road, he was just a man from the mountain, your goin’ down, going down, someday, don’t be a fool…you could sell your very soul, or gather up your gold, your goin’ down someday”.

“If I Stay With You Tonight” features Forst confiding, “Just to stay with you tonight, it’s gonna be alright, I’ll stay with you tonight, it’s gonna be alright, it’s gonna be alright, I’ll stay with you tonight,” accompanied by what sounds like a fine horn section.

On “It’s My Own Damn Fault,” with more standout organ from Bousfield, Forst wails, “I had a wonderful wife, someone to depend on, now she’s gone, don’t blame her, it’s my own damn fault, don’t blame her, it’s my own damn fault.”

The closer, “When It All Falls Down,” written by Delisio, features more terrific guitar from Forst as he croons, “we’ve been left out in the cold, but we’re gettin’ old…wake up in the morning, can’t tell the day from night, I can put my trust in you, when it all falls down, guess what you hear, when the end is near, when it all burns down”.

Many of these songs deal with intense relationships and the roller-coaster of emotions that comes with them. Beyond 1969: Back to the Blues explores the struggle to keep the blues alive while still sounding fresh. It is definitely worth a listen for anyone who appreciates powerful storytelling and strong guitar work.

Richard Ludmerer

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