Borderland

Tom Russell

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 17, 2001)
• Original Release Date: April 17, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hightone Records
• ASIN: B00005AVE3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,451 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Borderland's guitar and accordion evoke the cantinas of the Texas-Mexico border, but most of the songs here concern what the album-opening "Touch of Evil" calls "the borderline between a woman and a man." Raised in California, veteran troubadour Tom Russell moved a few years ago to the corner of Texas where El Paso meets Juarez, following his songwriting muse into territory that he probes to richly evocative effect throughout these narratives. Though his voice tends toward the wooden ("Hills of Old Juarez" could pass as a Johnny Cash demo) and his melodies too often provide the barest support for his storylines, the help of producer Gurf Morlix, accordionist Joel Guzman, keyboardist Ian McLagan, and singers Eliza Gilkyson and Jimmy LaFave add warmth and range. Highlights extend from the bittersweet balladry of "Where the Dream Begins" to the melodic lilt of "Let It Go," with Dave Alvin, Katy Moffatt, and Russell's longtime guitarist Andrew Hardin collaborating on other material. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tom Russell is always the best, August 2, 2001

By	"naima" (Italy) - See all my reviews

I was impatiently expecting the release of Borderland. The day I bought it was a rainy and grey day. I immediately played it; the notes of "Touch of evil" filled the room, the sound of the accordion and his warm voice quickly surrounded me and transformed the day. I couldn't help falling in love with this CD.

All the songs are wonderful, the stories are real, you can figure the movie in your head while he suggests the plot. His voice caresses you. I think this album is somewhat more intimate than others, there's something subtle in the atmospheres he evokes, anyway it is pure Tom Russell 18K. The theme of the border, recurring in most of his works, here is a perfect background; sometimes the border is the divide between one world and another, between north and south, poor and rich, light and darkness, the border is that shade of grey that links, or divide, black and white. All songs are beautiful, but my favourite are "Where the dream begins" "Down the Rio Grande" and Dave Alvin's "California snow" I like very much the cover too.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting Textures of Song, September 14, 2001

By	Jay Marvin (Chicago , Illinois) - See all my reviews

This is quite possibly the spookiest record you may ever hear. Russell has created a landscape of spooky characters, spooky stories, and even spookier songs. The concept of the album is that we all put up borders in our lives and getting over those borders is the real challenge. If you like to cry, laugh, let it all hang out and party, then Tom Russell's "Borderland" is the next CD you should buy. By the way, I painted the album cover. Do you like?

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Stories on this CD than in Many Books, June 26, 2001

By	John Standiford (Cypress, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My favorite music are songs that can tell a moving story. Sometimes it's a love song and sometimes its political commentary but in any case, I want a story that can be as compelling as something in Oprah's Book Club.

There are a few songwriters around who continue to write this way and can also perform with flair. Dave Alvin is among the best and he cites Tom Russell as a songwriter he admires. The new CD Borderland by Tom Russell is a perfect example of masterful songwriting, performed well by great musicians and sung with Russell's expressive (although sometimes flat) vocals.

Some of the songs on this CD are true classics. Touch of Evil, When Sinatra Played Juarez, and the Santa Fe at Midnight are great stories, mixed with a catchy melody and great instrumental backing.

Two of the songs are collaborations with Dave Alvin. Rio Grande and California Snow are two haunting songs that will stay with you. Alvin recorded a better version of California Snow on his CD Blackjack David, but Russell's version is strong as well. Finally, Next Thing Smoking is a train song that will remind you of a few of the songs on Alvin's Grammy Award winning Public Domain.

In closing, a word about Russell and his live performances. Russell is a very engagin live performer and tours with guitarist Andrew Hardin. Andrew is an incredible guitarist and is worth the price of admission on his own. He plays on this CD and also does backing vocals. When you combine him with Russell's storytelling in a live show, you have an evening that is very memorable.