Been hiding out in a Tucson studio concocting the new record of originals which will surface this Fall. Blood and Candlesmoke. Dylan's drummer from "Unplugged," and "Time Out of Mind," is here (Winston) as well as some of the Calexico guys and Barry Walsh, who works with Gretchen Peters, The Box Tops, and was with Waylon Jennings. Much Calexico stuff has come from this studio, as well as Neko Case, Kevin Ayers and….the Tucson sound. Think "desert industrial" and 100 vintage keyboards and guitars, lots of drums and feral instruments resonating against the stone walls here in downtown Tucson. Some of the songs are: "Guadalupe," "Crosses of San Carlos," "Nina Simone," "East of Woodstock-West of Viet Nam," "The Most Dangerous Woman in America"…and others. Gretchen will show up in a few days to lend her voice. Borderless folk rock with world intentions. The reaction to "One to the Heart, One to the Head" has been extremely strong. Lots of five star reviews and airplay already. It's available on www.tomrussell.com and the cover art is at Rainbow Man in Santa Fe.
www.yarddog.com also has my new Bob Dylan print and the paintings "Hamburger" and "Milkshakes."
In the last few weeks we've visited Elko Nevada for the Cowboy Gathering and performed a follow-up workshop with Ian Tyson. The DVD of last year is available on our web. Then on to a successful Texas tour with Thad Beckman on guitar - giving Michael Martin a breather for a month. Thad has several albums out and plays a vintage 1935 Gibson guitar….great player who amazed the folks.
Canada tour in a few weeks - then Denver and Salt Lake and on toward Scandinavia. But more songs to cut here with accordion and Palm Wine guitar. Twelve good songs and a cloud of dust.
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7 comments:
I can't wait for the new album.
Hi, Tom, saw you and Thad at the Mucky Duck in Houston, on the 7th-really great show, and enjoyed Thad's playing. I can't wait to get the new CD in the fall, and will see you at the 'Duck in November - already talked to Rusty and Teresa about our table. As authorized, I added your link to two of my yahoo groups, if you'd like to take a look - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/westtexasbackporchmusic/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/westtexaslivemusic/. BTW, will "American Rivers" be on the new CD? It was an excellent song. Best to Nadine. Frank
DESERT OSASIS
DESERT PRAYERS
DESERT VISIONS
Tom . . . Whenever I run along the bottom I always make Tucson my layover spot. I start at Mission San Xavier del Bac ( The White Dove of the Desert ) parking next to the dust filled baseball field on the reservation. Attending the unpublished Village Mass on Sundays. I have made dozens of stops here. Pick up a copy of the Linda Ronstadt narrated PBS documentary DVD on the
restoration of the church. The adjacent Marian Chapel with all that sorrowful smoke rising from devotion candles. The chapel with it's three bells on top always brings to mind Edith Piaf's " Les Trois Cloches " ( birth, marriage and
death ). A young woman with an armful of roses for Our Lady, placing them at her feet and then collapsing in tears. Only Our Lady knows why. A Rattlesnake handle on the
left entranceway door with it's centuries of sinners passing through. The altar angels reminding me of your Angels of Lyon cd artwork. The new statue of Blessed Kateri
Tekakwitha ( who still speaks to Leonard Cohen ) and he also carries her Holy Card with him at all times. Thinking also of Edith's devotion to St. Thèrése. Prayers for artists at every Mass. Then fry bread tacos in the parking lot. One
time lucking intp a pop up All Indian Jr. Rodeo set up just west of that Calvary hill in the desert. Putting my new camera through it's paces.
Then on up I-19 to The Ajo Way and over to The Sonoran Desert Museum which is open every day of the year. Two Christmas' in a row spent there. Walking among
the cactus and such. Lunch on the patio at the Ocotillo Grill.
Camped at a pullout along the road sleeping with the
Sagauro as countless as the stars above. Each as unique as a human being. Pointing in all directions. All correctly. Hiking King Canyon Trail up to Wasson Peak. The
trailhead is across the road from the museum. Old copper mine shafts are along the trail. Once you start up the mountain it is all rock, cactus, Palo Verde and Mesquite and a view from the top . . . Be sure to sign in when you get there.
Tom, you have never oversold yourself yet. Can't wait for this next one you so enticingly describe and could we use a Mother Jones now . . .
-saddle tramp Via: the I-40 rest area about 30 miles west of Needles, California heading east.
Crosses of San Carlos — right on!
That's the one that I heard in Elko in 08... "where the hell were they going?"
Wish you'd get to play up here in the more northern reaches of NM...
Thanks for the show in Sahuarita - great show. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
TOM CAUGHT THE SHOW AT THE JAVARITA, WHAT A BIZZARE EVENING, I'M 63 AND FELT LIKE I WAS YOUNG IN THAT CROWD, WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TEQUILLA AND BEERS, BUT FREE COOKIES AND LEMONADE WERE OK. THE SHOW WAS FANTASTIC. YOU MENTIONED YOU WERE DOING A MOVIE HERE IN S. AZ. DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE IN MIND BUT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE YOU SHOULD MEET IF THEY FIT THE BILL. ANDY & STEFFINE SMALLHOUSE OWN THE CARLINK RANCH OUT IN THE SAN PEDRO VALLEY, THE OLD POST OFFICE OF REDDINGTON IS ON THIER PROPERTY, LOTS OF HISTORY THERE AND IN THE GALLIARO MOUNTAINS TO THE EAST. ALSO PETTY MESQUITY / PETER GERLACH HAS A RADIO SHOW ON KXEI ABOUT DESERT PLANTS. HE WAS THE LEAD SINGER IN THE DUSTY CHAPS WAY BACK WHEN. HE IS A VERY COLORFUL CHARACTHER. BE GLAD TO BUY YOU A CORRALEJO AT THE TAP ROOM IF YOU HAVE THE TIME.
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