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Related: About this forum2 videos from Tom Russell's album of immigrants coming to and immersing in America. Lovely songs.
I found part of the album on You Tube, with two of my favorite songs from it.
About the album and Love Abides.
Published on Oct 25, 2012
From Tom Russell's great album "The Man From God Knows Where," which uses the talents of several of our best folk singers and songwriters to create a musical collage depicting the journey to and across the US and assimilation into American culture.
I had just heard Iris Dement for the first time in her theme song for The Leftovers. This is my favorite from the album. Also her theme song "Our Town" from the last episode of Northern Exposure.
She and Tom Russell sound good.
Another great song from this video of an immigrant's journey is Throwing Horseshoes at the Moon. His whole album is powerful and so descriptive of such a journey.
Tom Russell has invited wonderful guest artists and excellent back up musicians to make a great album, "The Man From God Knows Where", released in 1999. Tom traces his roots back to Ireland and Scandinavia. The family tree isn't perfect. The songs depict his heritage, warts and all. Iris DeMent joins Tom in this duet, "Throwin' Horseshoes at the Moon" and is an indication of the quality of the artistry on the album itself. There are historical photos and information on the liner notes, which almost becomes a mini-book. Russell has gone 'all out' to make a spectacular album. Enjoy!
Looks like you have to follow on to view this one on the You Tube site.
The entire album is up in segments at You Tube. I downloaded it from Emusic years ago, and its gets a lot of listening.
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2 videos from Tom Russell's album of immigrants coming to and immersing in America. Lovely songs. (Original Post)
madfloridian
Jan 2016
OP
No post about Tom Russell songs about immigrants would be complete without this one
tularetom
Feb 2016
#3
Yes, his one about building the wall not popular with the right wing at all.
madfloridian
Feb 2016
#4
So do I, very much. Would love to see him perform. I just found a video for Blue Wing.
madfloridian
Feb 2016
#8
HERVEPA
(6,107 posts)1. This is a beautiful and evocative song about the Irish immigrants to New York
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)2. The start of the journey.
Also the Old Northern Shore
HERVEPA
(6,107 posts)10. You're welcome
tularetom
(23,664 posts)3. No post about Tom Russell songs about immigrants would be complete without this one
Or this one:
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)4. Yes, his one about building the wall not popular with the right wing at all.
I saw some nasty comments after it.
It's a great song, though, and powerful.
I love his music.
ashling
(25,771 posts)5. A few of my favorites by these two
(written by Tom Russell, sung by Gretchen Peters)
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)6. Guadalupe is beautiful
Haunting.
JeaneRaye
(402 posts)7. Love, love, love Tom Russell
Seen him probably more than 10 times over the past 20 years. Love his music and his voice.
madfloridian
(88,117 posts)8. So do I, very much. Would love to see him perform. I just found a video for Blue Wing.
It's such a poignant song, but then most of his are that way.
Here are the lyrics
Just a part:
He had a blue wing tattooed on his shoulder
Well it might have been a blue bird I don't know
But he'd get stone drunk and talk about Alaska
The salmon boats and 45 below
He said he got that blue wing up in Walla Walla
And his cellmate there was Little Willy John
And Willy he was once a great blues singer
And Wing and Willy wrote 'em up a song. They said...
It's dark in here; can't see the sky
But I look at this blue wing and I close my eyes
And I fly away beyond these walls
Up above the clouds where the rain don't fall
On a poor man's dream.