Accompanying her angelic voice is Tomomi's magnificent piano playing, with just enough percussion surrounding it, to accent the mood. It's also these very accents, that set apart Tomomi's work with the traditional sounds of today's gospel music.

11 MP3 Songs
GOSPEL: Traditional Gospel



Details:
When Tomomi McDowell starts speaking, you can tell that English is not her first language. When she throws in a âyâall,â you can tell where she learned English and became the person and musician she is today.

Her new CD âTrailsâ says a lot about Tomomi personally, musically and spiritually.

First, and most distinctive, is Tomomiâs high, melodious singing voice. Her accent is quite evident on all the performances on âTrails.â So is her Southern-ness (Southern United States â Tomomi is from Northern Japan: Hokkaido) that comes through in the rural Sunday school sound of several tracks, and in particular in her original lyrics, such as âI donât give up anymore âcause He donât give up on me,â from âGod Never Gives Up on Me.â That song, as well as âHome Coming,â and âSave Me, O God,â also suggest Tomomiâs Japanese roots with their melodies.

âHome Comingâ is, hands down, Tomomiâs best vocal performance on the CD. The piano is complex, the effect is nostalgic.

âSave Me, O Godâ is built of mournful Psalms. The intensity builds as the songs progress. There is a synthesizer bridge that sounds distinctly Asian.

The influence of Tomomiâs association with her private jazz piano teacher Dr. Rich Ripani and the Nashville Jazz Workshop also shows up on several cuts. âGod Never Gives Up on Meâ is full of jazz riffs and has a lounge sound, while âLord, I Want to Be a Christianâ is upbeat jazz: an altar call song.

If you know Tomomi as a runner, and her passion for cross-country sport running, the title song, âTrailsâ comes as no surprise. The lyrics connote her love of nature and reflect her âchurch in the mountainâ American Christian background.

If you know Tomomi as a runner, and her passion for cross-country sport running, the title song, âTrailsâ comes as no surprise. The lyrics connote her love of nature and reflect her âchurch in the mountainâ American Christian background.

If you are looking to find Tomomi and her faith, follow âTrails.â

Mark Cook, Tennessean


Trails" review - from Tom R. Duggin, Smithville Review

Today's gospel music genres are primarily broken down into two categories; Southern Gospel and Contemporary Gospel. Tomomi McDowell¹s gospel album, "Trails", veers away from either of those traditional avenues, and takes on a life and sound all it's own.

"Trails" harkens a sound, reminiscent of the great pop standards of the 1930's and 40's, while inflecting both Tomomi's passion for gospel music and deep love for the Lord. When one listens to her soulful delivery, he or she can feel Tomomi reach down into her heart for every lyric, and feel the peace and love reflected in each song.

Accompanying her angelic voice is Tomomi's magnificent piano playing, with just enough percussion surrounding it, to accent the mood. It's also these very accents, that set apart Tomomi's work with the traditional sounds of today's gospel music.

Eight of the album's eleven songs come from the pen of Tomomi McDowell, and
each one of those eight were taken from the inspirations bestowed upon her by the Bible, God's wonderful word.

Tomomi McDowell has recorded an album, which is merely a reflection of the
person she is; humble, caring, artistic, creative, and most of all, passionate about her love for the Lord, His word, and her music.

Let Tomomi McDowell take you on a journey through "Trails", and take the time to listen with both your ears and your soul. This marvel of a gospel
album will be a journey you will never forget.