Pickin’ & Grinnin’ - Tom Russell@Bronte Music Club
Pickin’ & Grinnin’
Tom Russell
Brontë Music Club, Rathfriland, Co. Down
August 14
Tom Russell’s phenomenal pulling power is boundless. This was borne out by the fact that some unlucky patrons, who chose to ignore the extensive pre-gig publicity and failed to book for this gig, had to be turned away - an unwelcome first for this venue. Among the packed crowd eagerly awaiting the master’s appearance was Susan, a young lady from Bristol, who based her Irish holiday around Tom’s four dates here, both North and South; a sextet of folks from Finland and Holland and, by complete coincidence, a couple of visitors from Tom’s own backyard near El Paso. Incidentally, a great cover version of the Marty Robbins classic is included on the 2004 release INDIANS COWBOYS HORSES DOGS. With no support artist, the stage was set for a great night and we weren’t disappointed. Just after nine, dressed in black suit, open-neck black shirt, slicked back hair and eyes secreted behind dark shades, TR stepped menacingly onto the stage to rapturous applause, looking every inch like he had just stepped off the set of The Sopranos, a candidate for the natural successor to the original Man in Black. Supported on this tour by ace guitarist, San Antonio’s Michael Martin, TR treated all to about two dozen songs, old favourites as well as new songs invariably destined to fall into that category in time, were included in the set. In addition to the ever popular Gallo del Cielo and, in my opinion, the much underrated The Road It Gives, the Road it Takes Away, TR also included a great interpretation of Rock Salt and Nails by the legendary Steve Young, with a very amusing accompanying little anecdote too involved to repeat here. Russell is a man of great principle and this is very evident and generally characterised in many of his songs. The Death of Jimmy Martin (WOUNDED HEART OF AMERICA) his anthem to the great bluegrass legend, is a less than thinly veiled swipe at the perceived great and good of the Nashville music scene, recalling the raw treatment Martin received at their hands. Tom Russell’s Revenge on Nashville could easily be an alternative title. The thought provoking lyrics of Who’s Gonna Build Your Wall also takes a well aimed pop at the American establishment and urges ordinary Americans especially, although the sentiments expressed therein are easily transferable to many nations, to take a long look at themselves before empowering politicians to implement dubious policies, particularly those which adversely affect those vulnerable, ethnic groups with limited political clout. With the serious political references out of the way, a further yarn about the many characters frequenting Scottish Mike’s Oslo bar – it must be some place – and the always welcome rendition of old Irish favourite, Carrickfergus, concluded this evening in the company of one of America’s greatest songwriters and an all too brief insight into his vast library of songs, for this occasion anyway. Let’s hope the Brontë can welcome him back in the not too distant future. CM