Tom Lewis (songwriter)

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Tom Lewis, Canadian singer/songwriter, currently residing in Salmo, British Columbia. Born April 16th. 1943, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Grew up in England. Spent twenty-four years in the British Royal Navy, mostly in the (diesel) Submarine Service.

Tom Lewis developed his interest in sea shanties while he was serving in the Navy, and like his contemporary and friend Cyril Tawney began performing during his time in the Navy as well. For example, in the late 1960's he performed at the folk music club in Singapore run by Johnny Collins while Collins was stationed there in the British Army. Many of his songs (but by no means all) are either sea shanties or have a nautical theme.

Lewis' first solo album, issued in 1987, was Surfacing and included two early favorites among his recordings, "The Last Shanty" and "Marching Inland." Those two songs later appeared on the compilation CD, A Taste of the Maritimes (1992), the former tune under the title "A Sailor Ain't a Sailor." In 1988 he recorded and toured with William Pint and Felicia Dale. Currently much of his touring happens in the U.K and Europe, giving him more opportunities to perform with his Polish compatriates QFTRY.

His albums have been favorably reviewed in Dirty Linen magazine, Living Tradition magazine and Sing Out! magazine. (The latter calling his song "Radio Times" the "folk equivalent of 'American Pie.'") His songs have also been played on The Midnight Special folk music radio show.

In 2000, he won the Stan Hugill International Trophy when the competition was held in Douarnenez, France.

[edit] Discography

• Surfacing (1987)
• Sea-Dog, See Dog! (1990)
• Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor Singer! (1995)
• Mixed Cargo (1999)
• Poles Apart (Polish Title: On, My Ocean) (2001) with a seven-man shanty group from Poland (QFTRY). In English and Polish.
• 360° All Points of the Compass (2003)

[edit] with William Pint and Felicia Dale

• Making Waves (1992)

[edit] References

• Tom Lewis' website.
• Borealis Recordings page for Tom Lewis
• "Seafaring Folk on Trio's Debut," by Mike Joyce. The Washington Post, June 19, 1992, page WW16. (Favorable review of Tom Lewis, William Pint, and Felicia Dale album, Making Waves.