I first heard Tom Russell at the Usher Ferry Folk Festival in Cedar Rapids on a sultry, pre-flood summer evening. The audience was in awe of a writer so insightful and a baritone so compelling. The second time was at a church in Sahuarita, Arizona, not far from the Mexican border. He began the performance with a verse from a song by Leonard Cohen, then a verse from Ian Tyson followed by a verse from Woody Guthrie to establish for his listeners the context of his writing within the framework of folk music.
Russell is not a well known as a performer because his work is not easily categorized as is necessary to “make it” in the music business. He writes in a variety of genres—folk, country, indie, Americana, western—as his muse moves him. Tom has worn numerous hats in his life—criminologist, singer, painter, record producer, blogger, boxer, novelist, filmmaker. His latest record teams Russell with the border jazz rock band Calexico. Titled “Blood and Candle Smoke” from a song written in quiet celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe—the divine mother of the Americas—whose image and impact have blessed generations of ardent devotees as well as mending the singer’s wounded heart. "Who am I to doubt these mysteries, cured in centuries of blood and candle smoke."
Russell makes this offer regarding the new album “If you don’t think the record is 100% there for you or honest or "good," or if there's any false passion or bad lines, then bring it to the show at Café Paradiso and I'll trade you two different cds back for it. Or give you 20 bucks. That's what I can guarantee you within the so-called music culture of today. I believe in this record.” A guy who puts up a guarantee like that must be either great or …... Russell looks forward to bringing the carnival to Fairfield on Sunday, October 11 at 7:30pm at Café Paradiso.
