Tom Russell has always been a pioneer, a wander expanding his territory of influences. The L.A. native now calls the border town of El Paso home and there is much Tex-Mex grounding in his ventures. The title song from his upcoming Mesabi starts with an spare acoustic but then swings into full band including mariachi-style trumpet. The sonic imagery that greatly influences Russell is the narritive here as a Mexican kid hears Buddy Holly, Howling Wolf, Ritchie Valens, polkas and dreams of being a troubadour. To make things intereting there’s even a dash of The Who’s Baba O’riley in there if you listen
Tom Russell’s new album, ‘Mesabi’, out 9/6. The album features Calexico, Van Dyke Parks and Lucinda Williams.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUH2SDjwa0g[/youtube]