Reviews

PERTHSHIRE ADVERTISER

Finley’s bio reads like the prospectus for a course on how to become one of the world’s most highly regarded musicians.

He has embraced every style of music from Motown through prog-rock to jazz and his credits include work with the Yes-inspired Combination Head and reformed (I Just) Died In Your Arms hit-makers Cutting Crew.

The harmonica player, who has written two highly regarded bass tutorial books, played a scattering of pop covers laced with limericks and one-liners, plus self-penned songs from his recently released CD, Monkey Puzzle.

Dom Finley has been compared with the likes of David Gray and Damien Rice and the melancholy melodies and sentimental, reflective lyrics of songs such as Love And Farewells certainly provide justification.

But the subtle allusions to diverse musical styles that pepper numbers like Harvest Time and Salt Lake City, as well as the wry humour evident in I’ll Be Home For Six And Back In Time For Tea, lends distinctiveness.

Andrew Welsh - Perthshire Advertiser - December 1st, 2009

BLUES BUNNY MUSIC

Dominic Finley takes to the field of musical combat next. He's got a musical pedigree that goes back to the eighties. He marks his territory as a songwriter of note with "Love and Farewells" and whilst much of his repertoire is sentimental and reflective, you can't fail to notice that wry sense of humour either.

Bob Cheevers is musical royalty in my book. For a start, he survived many a decade writing songs in Nashville before decamping to Texas. Treating the audience to selections from his current album ""Tall Texas Tales" would have been more than enough reward but to that he added stories of his adventures. Adventures? That's the right word. He seems to get more from life than most and clearly still has affection for all that he has experienced.

Accordingly, his performance is both warm and infectious. Dominic Finley accompanied him on bass and harmonies and they both seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Bob Cheevers has been around a long time and he's still having fun. There's a lesson to us all in that. Oh, and he wiped his guitar clean with a pair of women's panties. Nearly forgot to mention that.

Blues Bunny Music - Glasgow Nov 10, 2009

BERWICK AND BORDERS GAZETTE

Dominic Finley - Avalon

If this four-track EP is designed to act as a taster for a forthcoming full-blown album then consider the appetite well and truly whetted. However, of almost as much interest as these delicately constructed acoustic beauties are their route to release.

Dominic Finley is currently a member of the reformed Cutting Crew (I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight), has been in the Yes/ ELP inspired Combination Head, is a much in demand session musician and the author of two guitar tutorials. If ever a man can put musician in his passport, it's Dominic Finley. Now he's striking out on his own and, as is generally the way of things, a host of influences are mentioned; Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson and early Elton John (funny how no-one cites later Elton). Forget the PR hyperbole, sit back and enjoy four moments of simple acoustic delight. If Dominic Finley is using Avalon to dip a toe into the shark-infested waters of a solo career, he should jump straight in and what's more he should record his album in exactly the same natural, unfussy way he has done Avalon, Sorry Isn't Good Enough will surely never sound as good.

If you were searching for reasonable comparisons then look no further than the Finn Brothers of Crowded House fame with Finley as both Neil and Tim - he exudes the same raw pleasure and passion for music as New Zealand's finest..

Avalon may be a quartet of simple songs but they are both mature and intelligent and, in the hands of musicians like Dominic Finley, guitar and voice create can their own world. If one of life's pleasures is listening to music that doesn't treat its audience as fools then it's impossible to not be captivated by Avalon.

At the tender age of 31, Dominic Finley is already a seasoned musician, mainly in the cause of others, Avalon shows he's ready for centre stage.

Berwick and Borders Gazette Review - August 2008

"MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER SINGER - SONGWRITER"

By Tim Wardyn

Attention fans of David Gray and Damien Rice: I have your new favorite singer-songwriter. Dominic Finley takes the melodic knack of Gray and the heart-on-sleeve lyrics of Rice, takes away the drums and adds a light Elton John-esque piano to create the gorgeous EP Avalon.

The 4-song EP opens with the acoustically haunting "Mercy" followed by "Only Love Remains." A piano-driven ballad (beautifully played by Chris Stewart) Finley creates a contemplatively powerful chorus to round out the highlight of the EP: "All I heard were promises, promises/ It’s all they gave me/ Promises, promises/ When are you going to save me?" The biting "Sorry Isn’t Good Enough" and the atmospheric title track round out this beautiful EP.

Avalon may come across as another singer-songwriter trying to breakout from a sea of talented artists, but as Dominic Finley said himself, "Obviously there is amazing talent out there and I’m a small fish, but I’m good enough to have a part in the pond."

www.music-critic.com - August 2008

CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY

A very good collection of singer-songwriter tunes from a man you might know from Cutting Crew or Combination Head. The music is very varied within that style though it is more traditional than modern in a sense. We're talking more McCartney, Brian Wilson, Gilbert O'Sullivan than we are David Gray. Quality tunes well presented.

BL - October / November 2008

COUNTRY TIMES REVIEW

Cutting Crew band member and session musician Dominic Finley steps into the spot-light of a solo career with his debut four track EP Avalon. On lead vocals, upright bass, acoustic guitars and percussion, Preston-born Dominic teams up with Chris Stewart on vocals and some superb piano and keyboards for Mercy, Only Love Remains, and Sorry Isn’t Good Enough. Producer Paul Birchall adds Hammond organ on the final title track Avalon to complete and elegant an pleasing release.

Avalon is an acoustic powerhouse for the new wave of singer songwriters.

Barry Jones - Country Times - August 2008