Tom Godleski &

          Fresh Preserves

Tom Godleski, Asheville. N. C. native, and founding member of the bluegrass group, “Buncombe Turnpike,” is proud to announce the release of his first solo project, “Fresh Preserves.” This c. d. is a collection of songs that are all based on true stories. Nine of the ten tunes are originals, with eight of those  being written by Godleski himself. These songs originated from stories that were told to Tom by friends and family members since he was a child.  As a bonus, Tom has added  to the disc, the stories from which the songs originated.

“Fresh Preserves,  This is your musical Gone With the Wind, a true work of art that will more than stand the test of time.”   

  Dave Higgs, Nashville Public Radio

“A fascinating, well played recording.” 

Bill Wagner, Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine.

Here's a fresh and significant songwriter/singer to the bluegrass community.The new release "Fresh Preserves" by Tom Godleski  is a star in the bluegrass sky.

Norris Long, Allegheny Mountain Radio

Tom is a prolific songwriter and is very good at taking a true story and making a song. 

Gary A. Robertson, Virginia Bluegrass Association

  TOM GODLESKI - FRESH PRESERVES                [October 2008 Issue]                                         

No Label

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Once in awhile, a work of rather unique format comes along. Tom Godleski’s first solo album is such. Godleski, who sings and plays bass for Asheville, N.C.’s Buncombe Turnpike, presents ten tracks of ballads followed by ten spoken tracks in which the stories behind the ballads are told. In its use of song and oral history, it is reminiscent of the kind of recordings done by Folkways and the like in the late ’50s and early ’60s, recordings that were as much archives as they were entertainment.

The difference between this and the older research-style recordings is that this has a much more contemporary sound and nine of the ten ballads are originals, eight of them by Godleski. Only “Little Omie Wise” is of traditional sources.

Many of the traditional themes of mountain life are included. Murder and violence appear somewhat graphically in the noholdsbarred fight story of “The Mountain Duel” and in the tale of cowardice and anger of “The Ballad Of Baldy John And Jake.” It also appears in the tragic account of drink and domestic violence that lead to “The Death Of Lawrence Cole.” The Civil War is touched upon in “Joel Holcombe’s Lament” and “Aunt Tildy.” “Ernest Payne” details the life of a man known for making, partaking and selling of moonshine. On the lighter side, other songs cover railroading (“The Southern Crescent”), living a decent life (“Good And Faithful Servant”), and humor (“The Beagle And The Rabbit”).

Because these songs are faithful to the facts of the stories, they are often more direct in their language (i.e., not flowery, poetically), and they have twists to the narrative that do not run in predictable directions as might a commerciallydriven song. Such construction makes these songs more realistic and refreshing. Interestingly, the one traditional song, “Little Omie Wise,” deviates somewhat from the facts of its true story, showing the results of existing so long in the oral tradition. I can’t say if Godleski’s tunes will enter the oral tradition, but I can say it is a fascinating, wellplayed recording. (Tom Godleski, 710 Riverview Church Rd., Asheville, NC 28806, www.buncombeturnpike.com.)BW

In making Fresh Preserves, Tom was fortunate to have some of Western North Carolina's best muscians to play on this recording. Darren Nicholason, of Balsom Range, played mandolin. Steve Sutton, who has played with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Alicia Nugent, and Jimmy Martin, played banjo and finger picked guitar on track # 4. Don Lewis, with the Son's of Ralph, played fiddle.

Buncombe Turnpike band mates, Tony Reece, Caleb Hanks, and older brother Micah Hanks, also helped Tom out on the project. Tony played dobro. Caleb and Micah did all of the harmony vocals. Micah played guitar and also produced the record.