"One day the greatness of Tom Russell will surely be fully recognised and if the big names populating this powerhouse collection help make it come sooner, then we should all celebrate." (Colin Irwin -Mojo, October 2007)
Tom Russell is the best songwriter of the generation following Bob Dylan (Mike Regenstreif - Montreal Gazette, 2009)
Tom Russell was born in Los Angeles in 1952 and now makes his home on the border of El Paso-Juarez. He graduated from the University of California with a Master's Degree in Criminology, taught school in Nigeria during the Biafran War, and then relocated to Vancouver. He began his music career in the bars of Vancouver's skid row. He has since lived in Austin, San Francisco, New York and, finally, on a 2.68 badlands farm in the desert of West Texas.
He is a painter, novelist, filmmaker, and acclaimed songwriter.
Russells latest release Blood and Candle Smoke is a collection of powerful observations and deliberations that has the media and fellow musicians buzzing. USA Today calls the album "stunning", while the San Francisco Chronicle proclaims it "about as perfect as it gets." Robert Hunter, Greatful Dead Lyricist and co-writer of Bob Dylans 2009 album "Together Through Life" states that Blood and Candle Smoke is an "excellent record in all respects. Lyrics are jewels, arrangements deeply tasteful, vocals superb." Maverick UK gives the album 5 stars out of 5. "Russell raises his songwriting to new and different heights of greatness.Album of the Year (so far) hands down. Very possibly Album of the Decade!"
Tom Russell has recorded two DVDs and 25 albums of original material. His
songs have been recorded by Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Johnny Cash, KD Lang, Nanci Griffith, Doug Sahm, Dave Alvin, Joe Ely, Ian Tyson, and 100's of others.
He is credited, along with Dave Alvin, with establishing the Americana radio format with their co-produced tribute to Merle Haggard, Tulare Dust, released on Hightone in 1994. The Columbus Other wrote: "Russell seems to have invented and keeps reinventing the Americana genre. He goes from strength to strength. It's as if Muhammed Ali were knocking-out opponents at age 60Russell is the only writer of his generation who grows stronger with each release." His songs have appeared in a dozen films, including Songcatcher and Tremors.
Russell has published three books: a detective novel, a songwriting compendium of quotes with Sylvia Tyson, and a book of letters with Charles Bukowski.
Tom Russell is also an established painter with current collections at Rainbow Man in Santa Fe (www.rainbowman.com) and Yarddog Folk Art in Austin (www.yarddog.com).
Tom Russell's recording catalogue is available from www.villagerecords.com
and his official website for photos, news etc is www.tomrussell.com
Other websites: www.russelltom.blogspot.com, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Russell/23428354936
www.twitter.com/thomasrussell
For bookings contact info@tomrussell.com in North America
and Bob Paterson at bp@bpa-live.com in the UK
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