Tom Russell October 21, 2008

Doors 8.00
£14.50 via WeGotTickets and Ticketweb
£16 door

“The greatest living country songwriter in a man named Tom Russell. He’s written songs that capture the essence of America, a trait that can only be matched by the country’s greatest novelists." [John Swenson, Rolling Stone]

Tom Russell's albums in the 21st century have been heavily influenced by his current home city, El Paso. Albums such as 'Borderland' feature a strong Tex-Mex influence and feature songs of life on both sides of the border.

"Tom Russell is Johnny Cash, Jim Harrison and Charles Bukowski rolled into one. I feel a great affinity with Tom Russell’s songs, for he’s writing out of the wounded heart of America.” [Lawrence Ferlinghetti]

In 2005 Russell released 'Hotwalker', the second part of a planned "Americana trilogy" (the first part being 'The Man From God Knows Where'). It was another conceptual work largely inspired by his correspondence with author Charles Bukowski. Subtitled 'A Ballad for Gone America', the album features songs and spoken word pieces, many of the latter delivered by another friend of Bukowski, circus midget Little Jack Horton. The sampled voices of Lenny Bruce and Edward Abbey are also heard on an album which takes the form of a musical collage lamenting the passing of the America of Russell's childhood and the Beat generation.

In addition to working on new music, Russell also exhibits his original artwork and organises an annual trans-Canadian "music train" featuring workshops and live concerts aboard a vintage long-distance streamline train. This train trek was depicted in Russell's 2005 concert/documentary, 'Hearts on the Line', produced by Canyon Productions, which features a concert with Russell and Andrew Hardin videotaped at Capilano College in Vancouver as well as behind the scenes footage of the music train experience.

Official Website: http://www.theluminaire.co.uk/live-music-October-2008-762.php