The Songs of Thomas Bull

Thomas Bull is a folk singer. His latest project, ‘A Fast Running Train Whistles Down’, is a collection of Woody Guthrie songs reimagined for the modern audience. Bull said ‘At the start of the pandemic I felt drawn to Guthrie’s songs more than ever before…they talk such sense, and were a great comfort in a time of unprecedented upheaval. There is a timelessness to his songs…which I have tried to bring out in these recordings.’ Celebrated banjo player, Dan Walsh, features on this outstanding record, as does double bass player Joe Downard and percussionist Max Revell.

The album explores a broad range of Guthrie’s material from the well known Hard Travelin’ and This Land Is Your Land to lesser known back catalogue songs such as Big City Ways. But perhaps the most interesting tracks of all are the Library of Congress Interviews Bull has set to music that offer a fascinating and poignant glimpse into the early (and often tragic) life of Woody Guthrie in his own words.

In 2014 Bull made the Glastonbury Emerging Talent finals, and performed four shows at the festival later that year. He has since spent time in Nashville writing with grammy award winning producer, Paul Ebersold, and with Jason Isbell’s right hand man Sadler Vaden. The resulting material saw Bull support such acts as Dr John, Candi Staton, James Hunter, Booker T and Ronnie Wood.

In 2023 Bull is working on his debut record with acclaimed producer Gerry Driver. Bull’s live performances showcase his Guthrie record, as well as original material written in the folk tradition. Music is weaved with voices and interviews giving moving context to historic songs. It is a striking, multimedia performance…

‘Bringing the timelessness of Guthrie’s words and politics to a new generation.’ – Folk Radio UK