'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

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Tony
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'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Tony »

'Angel of Lyon'

Very atmospheric photos to accompany the song.

Tom Russell is in the UK later this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Pcdl8wbjY
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Kush
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Kush »

That is a terrific song.

And he sang Ave Maria, or at least the parts he knew...
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B4real
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by B4real »

Kush wrote:That is a terrific song.

And he sang Ave Maria, or at least the parts he knew...
Absolutely agree Kush! And thanks Tony for posting it!

The melody in parts reminds me of Love Minus Zero No Limits by Bob Dylan and another tune by Bruce Springsteen which I can't quite remember at the moment .....ah, The Line :)
It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to B4real ~ me
Attitude is a self-fulfilling prophecy ~ me ...... The magic of art is the truth of its lies ~ me ...... Only left-handers are in their right mind!
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Karren B
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Karren B »

Lovely song! Love his mellow voice!

Here's one of Tom Russell with Gretchen Peters... (looking forward to seeing Gretchen in a couple of weeks time in Guilford).

Guadalupe
https://youtu.be/xfIsu5kXQi8

Also like 'Love Abides' sung with Iris DeMent
https://youtu.be/iNoh9wnlzgU?list=PLjqz ... yMo8mwc005
'Take the breath of a new dawn
And make it a part of you.
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Kush
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Kush »

Hi B4real - That's pretty good you recognized the similarity to Springsteen's The Line (one of his more obscure but awesome song!). I had to go back to listen to it and yes, I do see the similarity in melody. I dont see that much similarity with Love Minus Zero (atleast from memory) but I probably need to go back and listen to that too.


Tom Russell has written one of best love songs ever IMHO - a romance between "fatboy and aging film queen"

Mineral Wells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOxcf1kMWdY
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Kush
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Kush »

Tribute to Mickey Mantle...

The Kid from Spavinaw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wD3bZc-24g

Strike one, that was the drinkin'
Strike two, there go the knees
Then my old man died in Denver
Some type of lung disease
When God starts throwing changeups
You can't swing with fame or wealth


tribute to Woody Guthrie

Woodrow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ3ak1Pn_68
Tony
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Tony »

I really enjoyed the links in your post, Kush. I read Woody Guthrie's autobiography some years ago. It gives a good indication of the times he lived in.

This song by Tom Russell seems to be appropriate to today.

'Who's Gonna Build Your Wall?'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZkAoosVLkA
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Kush
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Kush »

Hi Tony,

Who's Gonna Build Your Wall is certainly appropriate to much that is happening these days. While his earlier writing is more as an observer, many of TR's more recent songs are very direct and polemic.
Speaking of which, Woody Guthrie's song Deportee is as relevant today as it was all those decades ago. I found this npr program on that particular song..."The People Behind Guthrie's 'Deportee' Verses

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/28/175580934 ... tee-verses

'Deportee' is like Hallelujah ...pretty much everyone has a version of this song - the one that probably stands out for me is Dolly Parton's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec0A-bVqLlw

The Highwaymen also had a great cover and was the first time I heard this song. I think it was unique in their recordings because Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings was not on the vocals in the studio recording and Johnny Rodriguez joined Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash...his only recording with the Highwaymen.
Tony
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Tony »

Thank you for the links, Kush, they were very enjoyable. I actually bought the Highwaymen LP years ago when it first came out.

I saw Tom Russell last Friday. The show was in a church with about one hundred people there. I was surprised that there were not more. It was a really good performance with his accompanying guitarist, Max De Bernardi, very impressive with his playing. I am posting a link to a review of his performance in London the previous evening separately on the site.

I would certainly go and see more of his shows when he next tours the UK.
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Kush
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Kush »

Thanks for the report (on the other link). I enjoy these low-key performances with 100 or less people (and low-key cost as well :) ).
I have not actually seen Tom Russell live but will keep a lookout if he passes my way. He often tours with John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett these days. I would like to see Tom Russell, John Hiatt and Beth Hart live (individually) in the near future.
Diane

Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Diane »

Tom Russell was playing in a Catholic church, blood and candle-smoke and all, about a half hour's drive from my parents' house in London last week, while I was stuck up a mountain in Catalonia with a bunch of loopy LC fans:-(

By the way, thanks Tony, and especially Kush and Steven, for the fantastic country (and other!) music you have introduced me to since I joined this place. (I was listening to John Hiatt and TR on the bus to Barcelona a couple of days ago.) Be well, all of you.
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Kush
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Kush »

Likewise Diane. I believe I was first introduced to Coke Studio music by a couple of your posts.

It appears Tom Russell wrote a song for you and your merry comrades ...

Spanish Burgundy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IMGpuM2GQI
Tony
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Tony »

Thank you for your kind comment, Diane. You might also enjoy this song by Tom Russell. That is a lovely song you posted, Kush. B4real referred to Bruce Springsteen earlier and this song reminds me of him and Johnny Cash in the content and the tone. Nevertheless it is pure Tom Russell.

'US Steel' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mqB_GJpKo8
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Kush
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Kush »

US Steel is pure Tom Russell although Bruce Springsteen could have written it and Johnny Cash could have sung it. Hills of Old Juarez is another song in which TR clearly channeled his inner Johnny Cash.

B4real mentioned The Line by Bruce Springsteen - it has a remarkably similar theme as Tom Russell's California Snow and Dan Seal's Bordertown. Great song all of them. I used to hear Dan Seals back in grade 8 and 9. Now sadly almost forgotten.

The Line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHAL6gEdtl0

Bordertown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYh48ghyLFc

California Snow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53EctAQmIxk
Tony
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Re: 'Angel of Lyon' Tom Russell

Post by Tony »

Thank you for those links, Kush. I enjoyed them all. I have just bought 'Veteran's Day,' the Tom Russell Anthology. I enjoyed all the tracks on it, all 37 of them, some more than others naturally. I particularly liked 'Touch of Evil' and there is even a Youtube video of the start of the film it refers to with the Tom Russell soundtrack playing over it. It is interesting to see those old film stars.

Both links are here: 'Touch of Evil' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIUnbEh46Zs

Film beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnJDzljMso8
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