Birkenhead-born, Zurich-based guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Ty Freeman hits the ground running with his debut EP, One Way Love.  Bon Scott, Rory Gallagher, George Harrison and others are channeled in five high-powered songs that are guaranteed to grab attention.

MUSICAL INSTINCTS

Ty Freeman is a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter raised on survival, soul and sheer defiance.  Born in Birkenhead and now based in Zurich, Switzerland, Ty takes his vocal cues from the likes of Steve Marriot, Joe Cocker, Bon Scott and Paul McCartney.  As a guitarist, he cites Rory Gallagher and Jimmy Page (and, I sense, George Harrison) as formative influences, whilst his songwriting draws from those he describes as “the northern greats” – The Beatles, The Verve, Oasis and Arctic Monkeys.  One way Love is Ty’s debut EP.

Ty’s difficult childhood is an epic story in itself and I won’t tell it here.  Suffice to say, he was rescued from the fate of family division and emotional instability by his grandparents.  Grandfather Peter was a calm, steady presence with a love for the music of Dire Straits and The Doors.  He took Ty to concerts around Birkenhead and Liverpool and recognized the musical instincts that Ty didn’t realise he harboured.

Busking in Liverpool prepared Ty for a circuit of gigs around England’s north-west which, in turn, led to stints along Hamburg’s notorious Reeperbahn, before COVID hit and brought Ty’s blossoming career to a halt.  Undeterred, he decided on a move to Zurich (Switzerland’s COVID restrictions were lighter than elsewhere, as you may recall) and he pulled things back together.  He now teaches guitar at Musikschule Hug and Music & Co in Oerlikon.

SOULFUL PASSION

A strident drum rhythm gets Dig for Gold, the EP’s opening track, underway.  The drums are sharp, the guitars simmer and the Bon Scott comparisons are readily evident, as Ty delivers his vocals with passion and commitment.  This is powerful no-frills rock as it used to be; as it should be – and it’s impossible to dislike.

There’s more of the same for Up in Lust with, if anything, even more passion – and a glorious tone to Ty’s chiming guitar.  An organ provides that bit of extra drive and there’s a happy edge to Ty’s voice.  The soulful passion is pared back a touch for One Way Love, the EP’s lead single, but it’s replaced by a resonant intimacy.  It’s fast, it’s furious and it races along to a pulsing rhythm.

Ty adds George Harrison-style slide guitar to decorate Monareen, a warm, melodic ballad before he brings this short collection to its close with Better Man, a bluesy, soulful, number that builds as it goes along.  A thunderous drum break signals a full-force coda and a raucous guitar solo from Ty – and that’s it, at least for now.  But I strongly suspect that we’ll be hearing more from Ty Freeman before very long – and that would be such good news.

Watch the official video to One Way Love – the EP’s title track and lead single:

Ty Freeman: Website

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