Album Review – Tom Russell’s “October in the Railroad Earth”
When it comes to contributions to traditional American art forms, there’s not much left that hasn’t been touched by the hands of Tom Russell. From having his songs cut by the likes of Johnny Cash, Guy Clark, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott just to name a few, to toting the likes of Fats Kaplin around in his touring band as a performer on the honky tonk circuit for so many years, to writing a book with Charles Bukowski, Tom Russell has done it all. And that speaks nothing to Tom’s visual art, his cowboy poetry, novels, and essays, and a host of other passion projects and side hustles he’s engaged in over the years to really make one feel like a creatively-vacant sloth when scanning over his scrapbook of accomplishments.
Of course Tom never hit it as big as many of his contemporaries and collaborators, but his resume still reads like a life well lived and then some. He should be satiated by the sense that his contributions and storytelling have far exceeded whatever inspirations he culled out of American culture for his own devices. With nearly 30 records released, and who knows how many gigs played, he can sit back on his porch and rest easy knowing he’s done his part.
Honestly, what can we expect a now 70-something Tom Russell to have left in the tank? The words and stories he’s expended at this point are enough for two lifetimes. But Tom Russell takes that challenge, calls to his side a tab of paper and his guitar, maybe a carafe of coffee or a bottle of something strong, touches the end of his writing implement to his tongue, strikes a chord, and proceeds to scratch out a record that is better than most of the debuts by the whipper snappers in Texas or east Nashville.
October in the Railroad Earth is as alive as the ground when a freight train trundles by, and as resonant as the sound a steam whistle makes as it lets loose on the walls of a wide canyon. Tom Russell is past the point of having to call upon sheer imagination, chemically-induced inspiration, or dogged determination to compose a story. He simply has to access his memory banks for a good tale, trust his proven capacity with language, and the rest handles itself.
A storyteller first, Russell’s songs mix the right amount of humor, fond reflection, passing sorrow, and smart observation to register on nearly all of the listening pleasure zones as they pass. Russell may have matured past being your cool uncle to now being your cool grandfather, but he’s still cool, sounding like Johnny Cash, sometimes breaking into spoken word recitations to fit in all the details, but never fumbling or losing rhyme. You feel the suspense of trying to run down poachers in the song “Pass Me The Gun, Billy,” you sense the familiar character in “Small Engine Repair” that’s as permanent of a fixture in small town America as the water tower, and you’re not 100% sure what’s going on in “Hand-Raised Wolverines,” but it’s enjoyable to listen in nonetheless.
And October in the Railroad Earth is country by God. As a guy known for dabbling in the folk rock and Americana realm, there is ample steel guitar here, Bill Kirchen on telecaster, and songs steeped in country traditions to make even the most closed-minded shit kickers smile. Granted, this is a Johnny Cash-style of country, so Russell’s billowy voice and poetic pentameter are more prevailing than any vocal twang, but he really endears himself to your country heart with the song “Highway 46,” which works as an touching tribute to a host of country greats without trying too hard. His effort with the Texmanicas called “Isadore Gonzalez” feels a little silly. But aside from this, October in the Railroad Earth gives a lot to enjoy and unravel.
This album is a story of America, and who better to tell it than Tom Russell. His years have only embellished and refined his wit and craftsmanship, and he never lost his hunger along the way. There are good reasons why Russell is so revered by his musical and literary peers, and those reasons remain evident on October in the Railroad Earth.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8/10)
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RD
March 22, 2019 @ 7:45 am
Is that Hunter S. Thompson?
Janice Brooks
March 22, 2019 @ 8:32 am
Gotta get this one. Highway 46 is blowing me away.
Notorious DIZ
March 22, 2019 @ 8:35 am
Good review. Thanks for posting. I started listening to this album a week or so ago and really like it. Small Engine Repair and T-Bone Steak and Spanish Wine are among my favorites of the year so far. To me, his songs are more like well crafted American short stories than almost any other songwriter out there, except for maybe McMurtry. My first listen to his music was when he put out Mesabi in 2011 and I was really blown away. It can be intimidating jumping into his music initially because there is so much and it can be a bit overwhelming figuring out where to start. But its more than worthwhile to jump in – his songs are epic.
Trigger
March 22, 2019 @ 8:45 am
Agree on the McMurtry reference. This record to me was like a perfect mix of McMurtry songwriting and Johnny Cash style.
I think if folks want to jump into his music, this might be as good of a place as any.
MS3
March 22, 2019 @ 12:04 pm
“The Road to Bayamon” (Philo) and “Rose of the San Joaquin” (HighTone) are the records I return to again and again. “The Long Way Around” (HighTone) collects re-recordings and live tracks spanning the first 20-or-so years of his output….all of it wonderful….and a great place to start. Of the more recent releases, I’d point to “Blood and Candle Smoke” (Shout!Factory) because, among other reasons, you have to hear “Nina Simone”. For cover versions, Joe Ely’s definitive take on “Gallo del Cielo” is at the top of my list.
Daniele
March 22, 2019 @ 9:01 am
I met him some years ago at one of his shows. very funny and humble guy. A legend.
Thanks Trig , as always, for this review.
Kevin Smith
March 22, 2019 @ 9:11 am
That Highway 46 is awesome! Gotta love Small Engine Repair as well. Russell has as Trig mentioned, quite a body of work. Sounds like he he might have another good one here.
I’m conflicted on him. Saw him live a few years back and some fans politely requested some of his well known songs like US Steel and he was visibly annoyed, telling us to please don’t request any of his back catalog as he is primarily interested in only playing his “current work”. I’ve been mulling that night over since and had time to reflect. It seems mighty pretentious to refuse to play any of your known songs to a fawning crowd who have paid money to see you and perhaps have an attachment to much of your work. Kinda leaves fans cold IMO. Can you imagine Haggard or Nelson or Cash or Jones or Seger or any of the greats being that way? Seriously? I get that he operates off a set list as do many, but to exclude your well known , beloved songs entirely and then only play your new record is crazy. Seems like live career suicide. It worked with me as I’ve never been back to see him again. What do you guys out there think?
Greg Redmond
October 12, 2023 @ 2:50 pm
I think I’d be disappointed if TR refused to play some of his old favorites, but I wouldn’t punt on him either.
An artist should play what they feel compelled to play.
CLARK SHORT
March 22, 2019 @ 9:42 am
This is awesome. I’m unfamiliar with Tom Russell – where’s a good place to start with his back catalog?
Ben
March 23, 2019 @ 2:09 pm
Tonight We Ride was the first Tom Russell song I ever heard, still one of my favorite songs.. Such great western bravado, it is like the audio version of “The Wild Bunch”
Steve Ellis
March 11, 2022 @ 8:55 am
‘The Man From God Knows Where’ 1998, is a work of epic proportions. Twenty three years ago and can stand with anything, by anybody. Tom’s art is evolutionary. An excellent essayist, groundbreaking collected painter, as well as his music. The man is violently creative. I have met him thrice, hosted him once, and have often wondered at his thought processes. I do know that he’s not into playing his oldies.Very few have come along like TR.
Geri Stocker
March 22, 2019 @ 9:54 am
Great review, Trigger! Pretty much how I would have put it – if I could write that well, that is… The tragedy of Red Oak Texas might just touch me the most among these 11 wonderful songs. I’ve enjoyed Tom’s music since the mid-eighties, on records as well as on stages over here in Switzerland, his new part-time homeland. If the Swiss want to discover the heart of America, there may be no better introduction than through his musical short stories!
glendel
March 22, 2019 @ 10:27 am
saw him when Rosie Flores was his opening act. sorry, found his own set to be somewhat boring, except during the encore when Rosie joined him and his band.
RD
March 22, 2019 @ 10:36 am
I’ve never seen him live, but I own most of his albums. Some artists/bands just aren’t great live acts. I’d rather listen to a Chris Knight album than see him live acoustic without a band. The Beatles didn’t play a live show after 1966, but released seven of eight more albums.
Trigger
March 22, 2019 @ 10:49 am
Well, that might be because Rosie Flores can show up just about anyone. I’d hate to be in a band trying to follow her up on stage. She’s a legend, and super underrated.
Blackh4t
March 22, 2019 @ 12:14 pm
I saw him 4 years ago with Gretchen Peters and with a lead guitarist, was amazing.
Having said that, i find a lot of his albums seem like a lot of pointless stories that had to find a home but aren’t really inspiring.
But Long Way Around would be my pick of a place to start. Great live album.
Benny Lee
March 22, 2019 @ 2:21 pm
Really interesting style of songwriting. I’m a bit of a sucker for this kind of stuff.
Joe
March 22, 2019 @ 3:52 pm
He is a great storyteller, here are some songs of his that I really enjoy.
Heart on a sleeve, a bowl of red, wise blood, mezcal, blue wing, gallo del cielo, sonora’s Death row, rose of San Joaquin, sky above mud below, Claude Dallas, Llano Estacado, eyes of Roberto Duran, Sinatra played Juarez, the next thing smokin’, tonight we ride, he wasn’t a bad kid, whiskey in his blood, & these old horses.
Rich
March 22, 2019 @ 6:08 pm
Small Engine Repair could find itself at home right between a Cash song and a Springsteen anthem. Amazing tune.
Chris
March 23, 2019 @ 4:52 am
Thanks for the review, Trig.
Tom Russell is on my very, very short list of favorite artists.
He sings his songs with a lot of passion and feeling.
As a songwriter, he is both a historian and a biographer.
There are no mindless ditties on his albums.
He is an incredibly cerebral writer.
If you ever want a song which chills you to the bone, listen to East of Woodstock, West of Vietnam.
Can’t wait to listen to this.
Doug
March 23, 2019 @ 1:00 pm
Can’t say I’m familiar with all Russell’s recordings, not by a long shot, but what I’ve heard I’ve found mixed. By chance one night I caught a live performance of Gallo Del Cieolo on the radio and was completely blown away — the recorded versions I’ve found aren’t as good, but it’s definitely one of the best story songs ever. In his memoir Russell tells the story of how he sang that song to Robert Hunter one night when Hunter was a fare in the cab Russell was driving, if I remember the story correctly. Hunter became Russell’s biggest cheerleader and helped him get his first recording deal — again, if I remember the story correctly. His album Road to Bayamon has two songs that represent for me Russell’s strengths and weaknesses: US Steel is a classic (a lot of politicians could have learned something from that one long before the 2016 election), while William Faulkner in Hollywood is, to me, awful (songs or stories that portray alcoholics as tragic figures who were driven to drink by the brutal exigencies of life get old).
Doug
March 23, 2019 @ 6:38 pm
Wow. Just had a chance to listen to these new songs (doing dishes, my best listening time). They’re great! So much heart and passion. Gives a geezer hope. Ride on, Tom!
kapam
March 25, 2019 @ 6:35 pm
The videos were “unavailable” to me, so I tracked down a promo for the album on YouTube.
Your review seems spot-on with the various influences and the subject matter is far above the usual “girls, beer and pick-up trucks” crap.
Thanks for the heads-up on this artist, Trigger.
ian
March 7, 2021 @ 8:38 pm
I was introduced to Tom’s music through the Joe Ely version of Gallo Del Cielo from his Live at Antones record. Less than a month later I snuck in to a radio station and saw him play live. Since then I have seen him 6 or so times and been able to talk to him a little bit. He is basically a historian with a gift for melody. As far as quality goes, most of his songs are far above average, many are brilliant (Gallo, the sky above, highway 46, what work is), and he has a few clunkers which I appreciate because it shows that he is human (hand carved heart). I think his album “Man From God Knows Where” is probably as close to Pet Sounds as the “Americana” genre is going to get (if we are putting Mickey Newbury’s work in the country genre). Any songwriter who wants to pick up a pen had better study Tom Russell, it will break you down like a humorist reading Mark Twain. My favorite albums are: Long Way Around, Songs of the west, Borderlands, Modern Art, Cowboys Horses…, Folk Hotel and this one. Damn it I like all of them!