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Song About A Train
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He has been called one of
the finest songwriters in Pennsylvania, and has remained committed to his own muse,
seemingly unconcerned by the fads and trends that consume others. His songwriting is
devastatingly honest, side splittingly funny, and, in some cases, indescribably weird. A
true original. A rarity in the folk business. You should hear him.
Richard Morrison
Biography
A lifelong resident of the
anthracite coal region of Northeastern Pennsylvania, singer-songwriter Thomas Flannery has
developed a strong understanding of his I
rish coal mining heritage, culminating in the release of 1996's 'The Anthracite
Shuffle: Reflections on an Anthracite Heritage' , a stunning suite of original songs
dealing with his own family's bitter and sometimes
tragic experiences in the anthracite fields.
A descendent of Irish famine refugees, Flannery's muse has taken him in many different
directions over the years. One of his live performances might feature a ballad dealing
with the Great Famine's effect on young lovers, immediately followed by an hysterical
parable of homicidal Little League Parents. In other words, anything is fair game in his
songs. Recent shows have featured songs dealing with the death of journalist Charles
Kuralt, reflections of 60's radical Jerry Rubin, and being caught in a mosh pit with David
Crosby. Honest.
Author of over 300 songs, Flannery has become the most frequent visitor (nearly 20
sessions) on the legendary 'Home grown Music' program on WVIA-FM, which is part of 'Mixed
Bag' the longest running adult alternative radio show in the country. Series host George
Graham has called Flannery 'one of the best, and certainly the most prolific songwriter to
ever appear on the show.' In 1997, he became part of the first 'Homegrown Music Sampler
CD' , which featured 18 selections from the show's extensive 25 year history. Flannery's
selection, the raging 'Seems Like the Place to Be', from 'The Anthracite Shuffle', has
become one of the CD's highlights.
Graham also introduced Flannery to Canadian singer-songwriter Lorne Clarke, and the two
hit it off musically. Over the past few years, they have performed many shows together,
with Clarke becoming Flannery's sounding board for much of 'The Anthracite Shuffle'
(Clarke also wrote one song and co-wrote another for that project). Their shows,
unscripted and hilarious affairs, are liable to feature anything, and together they have
helped to put 'The Rainforest Cafe' in Tunkhannock Pennsylvania on the national map. Now
regarded as one of the best listening rooms on the east coast, the 'Rainforest' has
become something of a second home to Flannery, and he can often be spotted there.
In April of 1998 he entered the studio with veteran New Jersey singer, songwriter,
guitarist Neal Casal (recently featured on 'Smashing Pumpkins' guitarist James Iha's solo
album. Casal's 1995 BMG release, 'Fade Away Diamond Time', was voted one of the top 10
records of the year by the Washington Post) and keyboard wiz John Ginty (a member of
Jewel's current band) to begin recording his first full length CD. Titled 'Song About a
Train', it was produced by legendary Pennsylvania producer George Graham and was released
in July of 1998.
From L to R: Casal, Ginty, and Flannery during the 'Song About a Train' Sessions, April
1998 He has played shows with such folk notables as Lisa Moscatiello and Bob Martin and
his songs have been covered by Kate Jordan and CJ McKenna, reggae master George Wesley,
and Moscatiello herself.
He has been called 'one of the finest songwriters Pennsylvania has to offer', and has
remained committed to his own muse, seemingly unconcerned by the fads and trends that
consume others. His songwriting is devastatingly honest, side splittingly funny, and, in
some cases, indescribably weird. A true original. A rarity in the folk business. You
should hear him.
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