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Topic: Tom Russell's HOTWALKER |
Bill Bassett
From:
Papamoa New Zealand
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Posted 18 Jan 2008 9:34 am |
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I feel like I must have been tucked away in a cave because I had never heard of Tom Russell and/or his songs, poetry, books and other work.
I was just intruduced to his CD Hotwalker the other day by a casual friend who thought I might like it.
For those of you who, like me, were unaware it is a sort of musical timeline tracing back to the roots of various influential styles of the music of the people. From street corner gospel singers who rattle a cup of coins to keep the rhythm through the circus music of the midway, from the working man's folk songs of Woody Guthrie and Ramblin' Jack Elliott to the Honky Tonk sound of Buck and Merle. From the beat poets and comedians of the LA and San Francisco scene in the 50s and 60s. to the jazz clubs and revival tents in a time now past.
The recording is in large part a narative, punctuated by music and audio clips, poems and stories. And, some wonderful pedal steel work throughout.
I'd love to hear other people's take on Hotwalker or any other Tom Russell work.
BDBassett
Rimrock AZ |
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Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
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Posted 18 Jan 2008 10:11 am
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| That would be Fats Kaplan on steel (and fiddle and accordian). He's good on every instrument he picks up, an amazing musician. |
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Bob Blair
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 18 Jan 2008 7:31 pm
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| Tom Russell is one of your National Treasures. I've been a fan of Tom's music for the better part of twenty years. First time I saw him live was at the Horseshoe in Toronto in the late 80's, with a Tom Russell Band including Fats on steel and accordian, and Andy Hardin on guitar. A few years later he scaled down his touring act, so it was just himself and Andy. He has written some monster songs, "Blue Wing" being one of my favorites. He co-wrote some tunes with Ian Tyson, including "Navajo Rug". Tyson also recorded Tom's magnificent "Gallo Del Cielo" - a song about a fighting rooster spirited away from Mexico. Bill, get out your charge card and order up some of Tom's cd's from Amazon - you've got some lost time to make up for! |
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Steve Hitsman
From:
Waterloo, IL
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Posted 19 Jan 2008 6:12 am
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| "Cowboy Real"! |
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Steve Hitsman
From:
Waterloo, IL
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