Various Artists - Wounded Heart Of America: Tom Russell Songs

Underrated chronicler of all things Americana

Despite releasing his own albums since the early 70s, Russell’s has a become a name more associated with other artists. Johnny Cash, Joe Ely and Jerry Jeff Walker have all found themselves identifying with the rugged cowboys and ragged forgotten heroes that populate Russell’s best songs, and this might well be the most aptly titled compilation you’ll ever hear.

Russell’s songs paint evocative portraits of a bygone America, while simultaneously putting the modern-day country under the microscope. Ely’s live take on the Tex-Mex lament Gallo del Cielo is a tearful account of an illegal immigrant’s rude awakening in what he thought would be a land of opportunity (a theme later explored by Bruce Springsteen on both The Ghost Of Tom Joad and Devils & Dust albums), while Cash’s sombre reading of Veteran’s Day is as powerful as any anti-war protest song of the last half century.

In addition to respectful readings by Nanci Griffith, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Iris Dement, the album includes four bonus tracks performed by Russell himself, pick of the bunch being the Creedencelike rocker Home Before Dark. Latecomers should consider this record Square One and prepare for a lively and revealing adventure stretching back over the decades.

Hightone | HCD 8196

Reviewed by Terry Staunton
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