North American Long Weekend (1998)

About this title: Tom Freund has delivered a solo debut album that comes to the public (for the most part) fully grown. It's loaded with self-assured power, and more importantly, a confidence in the tunes themselves that's striking. The feel of the album is steeped in Americana, with references to and influences by Holden Caufield, Jack Kerouac, and Bob Dylan. Some of Freund's vocals -- and in fact the general musical approach on the album -- is reminiscent of early Tom Waits. There are some excellent guest musical appearances on the record, most notably by jazz great Jimmy Smith on organ. Freund's early ... read more

Tracks:

1. Digs [Freund]
2. 27 [Freund]
3. Trondheim [Freund]
4. Lady Jane [Freund]
5. More Than Necessary [Live] [Freund]
6. Business of Knowing [Freund]
7. Holden Caulfield [Freund]
8. No Turning Back [Freund]
9. Great Authority [Freund]
10. Synagogue [Freund]
11. North American Long Weekend [Freund]
12. Beautiful Sadness [Freund]
13. Cry Baby Cry [Lennon/McCartney]
14. Business of Knowing (Revisited) [Freund]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.