Reaping what they sow:
Asheville's Plowshares from the ground up
Recent Press! by Mountain Xpress's Ali Marshall
About David Earl and the Plowshares
.....It's hard to resist the noise and energy that comes out of Imhotep. And why would you want to? If you want to march to the beat of a different drummer then this is your man. Almost anyone could do what Imhotep does but guess what, NO ONE CAN DO WHAT IMHOTEP DOES! Do not underestimate him because he has only a bass drum on his belly and a cymbal on top! Imhotep has the mojo, the joy, the unnameable and the unbuyable. Everybody has it but everyone does not "GET" it. Imhotep's got it and he is spreading it around freely, no questions asked, no i.d. necessary.
.....David Earl Tomlinson has got power, SOUL POWER. He just might get "bounced" by Imhotep's drum and go waaay out. If you are ready and willing you may go on out there with them. The guitar is just a vehicle; this man loves to sing. Sing, shout, scream, moan, whisper, yodel and whatever else the moment calls for. And if people want to sing along than that suits the Earl just fine. Political correctness is not a strong suit: Back in the day David Earl used to enjoy bragging about being the only white dude in a super high energy soul spiritual band that rocked the house. I guess he still could.
.....This is a two man gang, people. Sure, the Plowshares have frequent co-conspirators, but Imhotep and David Earl are the foundation, the heart and the soul. If you catch them performing as a duo, you will likely find it more than dynamic enough. While there is economy of tools and economy of progression there is something greater, again the unnameable, some kind of passion and joy that transcends everything else. The band is also often joined by some of the baddest cats on the Asheville music scene. You never know who might play at any give show, but the Plowshares always perform with the unseen, the ancestors are always present, the traditions are always honored, yet the moment is always being born.
.....Don't sweat the "J" word because swamp gospel is only half the story. The songs of Mr. David Earl Tomlinson bear more and sweeter fruit with repeated listens. He enjoys telling his audience that "it's a fine line between Saturday night and Sunday morning, and the Plowshares like to straddle that line all night long". Well, the original offerings are a little more Saturday after Midnight than Sunday at church. Truly, what is the difference? "It's all the same song" is another favorite DE quote. Somehow the hell bent characters in Mr. T's songs stand up nicely next to "swing low, sweet chariot". How he got from hard rock to the Plowshares is anybody's guess, but whiskey and beer are suspected of lending their services to the ongoing process every bit as much as the sweat lodge or the chapel.
.....Secular or sacred, duo or octet, the Plowshares are going to give it all they have and then some. These men were born to bring it and bring it they do. Lay down your sword and shield and get ready to sing and dance. You were born to. It's your birthright. Do yourself a favor and get right tonight with the Plowshares.
