Tom Jones International

We wanted to take a moment to —belatedly — pause in appreciation of Herman Matthews who, among many other activities, plays drums with Tom.

Multi-faceted, multi-talented, he began to play drums in his uncle’s band when he was 11. Onstage with Tom, he provides the downbeat and backbeat for almost every number. But, in his off-Tom time, he also composes, plays with the likes of Eric Burdon and has played with Richard Marx, Stevie Wonder, the Isley Brothers and Kenny Loggins, among many others. He has the respect of everyone who knows about drummers today. (This last is not hyperbole. Trust us, we’ve asked.)

His CD, Home At Last is a personal statement, a look at his life, the people and music he loves. We’re posting three sound bites from the album.

We Are Heaven is a tribute to his wife. I Am A Drummer From Texas was written about his own life and beliefs. Not Another Lover came about, Herman tells us, “after I heard a track by Ricky Fanté, a young R&B singer. It’s a cross between Sam Cooke and Terence Trent D’Arby and sounds like an old soul record. I thought, ‘I’d like to write a song like that.’”

You can learn more about Herman and hear more samples of his work at his website. Be sure to check out his journal and, if you live in the LA area, there’s a gig list of dates where he’s playing in local clubs. For even more info, and some videos, check out Herman’s myspace page.

You can order Home At Last at CD Baby.

Herman says, “I’m an old-school guy. I like what came before along with what is happening now. And,” he adds, “life should have a soundtrack.”

Hopefully, we’ll be able in the future to write more about “outside” projects from Tom’s other band members and the singers. They’re all so terrific.