Calvin Russell is one of America's most authentic songwriters. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, he exposes the very depths of his soul to music fans everywhere. Russell's bluesy songs tell of freedom and adventure, of longing and sensitivity, of steadfast love and deep disappointments, of the prairie, of long-distance trains which never arrive at their destination, and of the unhoned beauty of the Wild West, just as it still exists today. Several times he crossed the desert between his homeland of Texas and California, which was once, for him, the Promised Land, but he continues to enjoy his greatest success in Europe. His current album, " Rebel Radio ", is his first release for many years to appear not just in Europe, but in the USA as well.
On "Rebel Radio" Calvin Russell again devotes himself to a spartanly orchestrated blues, which abounds with elements of folk and country, and which is brought to life, above all, by his distinctive voice. Moulded by life in the sixties, seventies and eighties, and looking back over a life spanning more than fifty years, he is marked by an absolute realism. In "It Is What It Is", he declares that you have to accept things the way that they are. This isn't an artificial display of fatalism, or resignation, but a simple coming-to-terms with facts. For himself and others Russell is a dependable icon. In "I'll Be Here In The Morning", and "Ain't Leavin'Your Love", he sings of his great loyalty to his friends, and in his melancholy opening number "Still Lookin'For You", he professes his fidelity which he obviously applies to every situation in life. On top of this, the "Country Boy" displays a completely relaxed relationship with the sensual pleasures of life ("Barroom Girls"). On a musical level, Russell interweaves his new album with a variety of moods, and his rendition of "I Never Cared For You" is just as impressive and strong as Neil Young's "Like A Hurricane" all those years ago. The album finishes with "Nothin' Is", a sober inventory of the current state of his emotional life.
On "Rebel Radio" Calvin Russell again devotes himself to a spartanly orchestrated blues, which abounds with elements of folk and country, and which is brought to life, above all, by his distinctive voice. Moulded by life in the sixties, seventies and eighties, and looking back over a life spanning more than fifty years, he is marked by an absolute realism. In "It Is What It Is", he declares that you have to accept things the way that they are. This isn't an artificial display of fatalism, or resignation, but a simple coming-to-terms with facts. For himself and others Russell is a dependable icon. In "I'll Be Here In The Morning", and "Ain't Leavin'Your Love", he sings of his great loyalty to his friends, and in his melancholy opening number "Still Lookin'For You", he professes his fidelity which he obviously applies to every situation in life. On top of this, the "Country Boy" displays a completely relaxed relationship with the sensual pleasures of life ("Barroom Girls"). On a musical level, Russell interweaves his new album with a variety of moods, and his rendition of "I Never Cared For You" is just as impressive and strong as Neil Young's "Like A Hurricane" all those years ago. The album finishes with "Nothin' Is", a sober inventory of the current state of his emotional life.
Tracklist and audio samples
Shadow of DoubtIt Is What It Is
Barroom Girls
No Expectations
Country Boy
Freight Train Blues
Pass You By
Still Lookin’ For You
Wild Roses
I Never Cared For You
Ain’t Leavin’ Your Love
I’ll Be Here In The Morning
Nothin’ Is
Release date : 2001
