Attended Tom Russell concert last Monday 4/23 at Joe's Pub on Lafayette St.
Tom sang and played guitar, accompanied by highly professional Michael Martin on guitar, mando and harmonies. Russell is a terrific songwriter and performer and has a rich voice. A man after my own heart, he opened the set with half a verse from Hank Williams' "Lost Highway", before launching into an original ballad.
He did a tribute to bluegrass renegade Jimmy Martin, and one to Woody Guthrie, which he prefaced with a story he got from Rambling Jack Elliot about his memories of Woody when they were both living in Brooklyn. In introducing the Jimmy Martin song, Russell said he hadn't heard a country song he liked since 1973. I see his point, although Waylon's best albums came out in the late 70's, and Dwight Yoakam is still pretty impressive. (and I'm sure there's plenty of good stuff out there I haven't found yet).
He also did his classic songs "Navajo Rug", "Stealing Electricity", Haley's Comet" (about the dying days of rock legend Bill Haley). Russell is an impressive guy--intelligent, worldly and witty, and a hugely talented songwriter. The guy has been around: living in Southern California, Vancouver, New York City, Texas, Spain, Norway, Nigeria etc. According to Wikipedia he played the Vancouver folk scene in the 70's, then dropped out of the music business. He was driving a cab in New York City when he was "discovered" by Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead, who hired him as an opening act.
Russell's fans love him; the audience at Joe's was 100% enthusiastic and 100% appreciative. He has already achieved greatness, even if he is not a household name.
If you ever get a chance to see Tom Russell in concert, go for it. Joe's Pub is a beautiful intimate venue, though it is pricey and the sets are kind of short.
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