Customer Reviews

The Man from God Knows Where

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Come gather round me children, a story I will tell...So it's rise up all you ancestors, and dance upon your graves." So begins the saga.

Russell,an extraordinary songwriter, has composed a folk opera loosely based on the history of his own family. His great grandmother came from Ireland during the famine to the Midwest and his great grandfather came from Norway. The songwriting is gripping and eloquent.

Russell's own wonderful singing is alternated with that of Dave Van Ronk and the excellent Norwegian singers Kari Bremmes and Sondre Bratland. Irish legend Delores Keane sings what may become the definitive version of "When Irish Girls Grow Up". The always spectacular Iris Dement is at her stunning best; her version of 'Wayfarin' Stranger' with Annbjorg Lien accompanying on the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle will not only give you goosebumps every time you hear it, but haunt you for a very long time.

This album is genius. It is a deeply affecting work of survival and pride in the face of hardship and partings, joy, madness, tradition and novelty. Artfully mixing traditional tunes with his own songs, Russell has created a profound musical commentary on the human condition as expressed in a uniquely American way. The final song, "Love Abides", is the appropriate climax/moral of this album, capturing the effort, heartbreak, and hope of this tale with a breath-takingly moving duet by Russell and Dement.

Of the 200 or so (mainly celtic) albums I bought this year, this is best, period. Get it.

We are a nation of immigrants. Some of us have come sooner, some later, but except for the American Indians, we all came from somewhere else. Tom Russell has taken that reality, his family history, from Ireland and Norway, some fine stories, and turned it into a song cycle that is the work of his career. Haunting and beautiful, he has drawn on years of songwriting, and years for friendships with musicians and folksingers, and created an album we will listen to 50 years from now.

Most songs are his own, although he does a moving, fitting version of Massingill's "The Orphan Train." Not all of Russell's family tree is fit for his in-laws. Dave van Ronk's raspy version of "The Outcast," Russell's own songs about his gambling and alcohol addicted father; it rings true. There is mixed pain and pride in a lot of these songs.

It's not all gloomy. Doris McKeane's singing of "When Irish Girls Grow Up" is a hoot. And some of these stories are the kind your uncle only would tell after his third drink at Thanskgiving. There's that kind of intimacy, some wonderful melodies, all with Russell's gravelly voice and the singing of his friends.

I saw Tom Russell on the tour for this album, and the stories he told to introduce some of these songs have made them even more memorable. If you get the chance, see him yourself, and ask him to sing the title track. And get this album; you'll play it often. It's Russell's best work.

Tom Russell's autobiographical collection is brilliant. The self-penned works - and the execution of them by Iris DeMent, Dolores Keane, Sondre Bratland, Kari Bremnes and Dave Van Ronk - are wonderful. I would have to agree with another reviewer who commented on the repetitiousness of some cuts. Truly, one take of "The Outcast" would easily have sufficed.

The real treat for he however was Russell's take of David Massengill's "Rider On An Orphan Train." The song has led me on a quest to learn as much as I can about this late 19th and early 20th century experiment of "placing out" children and adults to help populate the American West.

Thanks, Tom. This is truly brilliant.

Once every few years, an album comes along with such long-lasting visceral impact, that it can be classified as a masterpiece. "The Man from God Knows Where" is such an album. Kari Bremnes singing "The Old Northern Shore" is one of the most moving songs that I have ever heard. If you want music to move your soul, then buy this album.

I'll tell you what. I read all the online reviews about this album with scepticism but it is everything that Russell fans are raving about. I'd never heard of him before I'd read a 5 star review in a music magazine. I then read all the 5 star reviews here at Amazon. I figured I better give it a try. The whole CD is a story of Russell and his ancestor's move from Europe (in the early 1800's) to the USA, and the present time. As The Who's "TOMMY" is a 'rock opera'-----Russell's "The Man From God Knows Where" is a folk opera. Great stuff! I am now a new fan.

First off, I must say that even though I like Tom Russell very much, I never expected something of this depth and intensity. His songwriting has never approached this kind of maturity, and the production of the album is superb. All the "guests" do a great job of adding to the cast of characters and the music is top notch. I was mesmerized from the very beginning until the last note, and I immediately replayed it over and over again. Some of the highlights range from the light and hopeful "Casey Jones" to the dark and insightful "Acres of Corn". There isn't a bad song in the bunch and that's saying something for an album that has over twenty songs. Let's hope that this album is the launching pad for Mr. Russell. Even though he has written many great songs in the past and has had many good albums before this, if he continues writing and playing like he did here, he will soon be mentioned in the same breath with other great songwriters like Greg Brown, Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Neil Young, etc. I have given this album 4 stars only because I reserve 5 stars for the absolute best and even though I would like to say it is a great, great album, I cannot say that it reaches the likes of say, Dylan's best, but maybe after another few listens I'll change my mind.

I Just want to make a quick addition to all the praise this album has received. I bought this Cd shortly after it was released in 1999 and 6 years later my opinion of it has not changed. This is the best album I have ever heard, period.
If you ever have an opportunity to see Tom Russell and Andrew Hardin Live do it. you will be amazed.

Tom Russell get's called "the best songwriter you never heard of" by 90% of the critics and reviewers who interview him. They're right, he is the best songwriter...but this CD may finally let you hear of him. I just saw Tom perform all these songs at a house concert (God knows where) and every one is a jewel. Some are multifaceted, some 'roughcut', they make a pretty impressive crown when combined. Don't let the constant 5 star ratings from customers affect your decision, don't let his fine voice sway you, or the great artists he got to collaborate, don't even let the fabulous guitar work of Andrew Hardin (the greatest guitar player you never heard of) make you cough up the CD price. Don't buy this for all these good reasons...buy it because your ancestors insist. Tom tells their story here, and you need to hear it. Call this 'country' the way it ought to be played, call it 'folk', call it what you want. It's great American music, and rises above classification. Of course, that means the radio wallahs can't plug it into a 'format' and play it in between traffic reports so you'll have to take steps to hear it on your own. If you don't, your ancestors may take steps of their own to get you to pay attention. Don't blame me if your milk turns sour...buy the CD. You've been warned.

Tom Russell has woven his family history into a vision of the American history and character that is completely compelling and deeply moving. When I first heard it I played it three times over without stopping, and many times since. American as a land peopled by outsiders, castoffs, and oddities -- come here to possess Indian land, to work it and be toughened in the process, to work, lie, drink and dream -- this album urges us to face those truths in our own lives, our families and our nations. And such voices and songs. Buy it, listen to it all.

I bought this to illustrate a high school US History lesson on immigration; my usually jaded students loved it, I love it. The voices are good, the stories are poignant, and the balance of material is outstanding. Enjoy!