Tom Russell at the Top of His Game

I am an unabashed Tom Russell fan. Anyone who writes for a living has to be. The first time I heard "The Sky Above, The Mud Below" -- an epic tale of twin Mexican horsethieves who stole the wrong horse from the wrong person ("he was the sheriff, the judge, he owned the hearse -- a man you did not anger") -- I was hooked. But it takes more than good writing to deliver a great song. It also takes solid musicianship and, in the case of a CD/record, good production work. It all comes together on "Love & Fear," a collection of 11 songs that will have anyone over 40 looking in the mirror and wondering if they could have done a better job with the years they've lived so far. Amazingly, there is no "filler" on this album; every song is a keeper in its own unique way. Highlights include "Beautiful Trouble," which warns of falling "in love with women half your age... you've found trouble, beautiful trouble"); "Stealing Electricity," with one of the most engaging chorus hooks in recent memory (just try NOT to sing along!); "Ash Wednesday," a gorgeous duet with the equally gorgeous Grethen Peters; and "All the Fine Young Ladies," a tale of regret and hope that Russell had been honing in his live shows for at least a year prior to the release of this album. Why Russell has not gained more widespread recognition is beyond me. The singing is consistently great, the music is always compelling and the songwriting is beyond stellar. And on "Love & Fear," Russell raises an already extremely high bar to new heights -- a truly magnificent accomplishment. If you don't know Tom Russell, it's time to get acquainted with one of America's musical treasures.

Tom Russell at the top of his game....

This guy has come out with a CD that easily rivals his best up to now (and that's saying a lot). The songs weigh more with life's heartaches as well as joys. Each one is an audio painting, if you will, of a unique portrayal of experience felt to the bone, to the heart. The instrumentation is top notch with some very tasty tremolo soaked guitar pulsing through at just the right time. Tom Russell's vocals are as good as ever, a little rough around the edges but drenched with character. The duets on a few songs are just tremendous. Nothing is overdone or underdone. It is just right. Good job to Gulf Morlix and Mr. Russell in producing this gem. Buy it or borrow it forever, it's a keeper.

Wake Up Older and, sometimes Wiser, but not often

Eddy Arnold once wrote about music by, for and about grown ups. In many ways that is a more apt description of this album than any genre you attempt to classify it in. Much like the witty and wonderful Guy Forsyth and the starkly poetic Lucinda Williams, Tom Russell seems to be that rare artist who actually makes Americana, and like them his making of the music pre-dates it by several decades. He shares with Forsyth and Williams a critical and wry eye towards living in the 50s. "There's a fine line between a heavyweight champ and a used up old clown" he states in "The Pugalist is 59." He then proceeds though a series of songs many of which, like "Beautiful Trouble" and "Four Chambered Hearts" find him on the clown side of the line. Highlights include two heartbreaking numbers "Stolen Babies" ("When parents play get even games they cheat by stealing kids.") and the haunting duet with the awesome Gretchen Peters "Ash Wednesday." But there really aren't any lowlights on this impressive collection. He brings you around full circle and takes you on the trip of a literal lifetime.