The Wounded Heart of America

Tom Russell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 21, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shout Factory
• ASIN: B000TSJTVE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,838 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #91 in Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave & Post-Punk > Urban Folk

Editorial Reviews

A compelling walk through the song library of one of America's greatest songwriters. The world's best singers have paid their respects to Tom Russell over the years, a strong cross section is included here. From Johnny Cash's amazing take on Veteran's Day, to Suzy ogguss' hit version of Outbound Plane, from Dave Alvin's growling Blue Wing, to beat poet legend Lawrence Ferlinghetti's absolute cool reading of Stealing Electricity, and Doug Sahm's St. Olav's Gate, Tom's genius shines through. Bonus tracks include own recordings of Who's Gonna Build You Wall, The Death of Jimmy Martin, the rocking Home Before Dark, and a great rave up version of Cuban Sandwich with Barrence Whitfield on vocals and Amos Garrett on guitar. For long time fans, or a great primer for someone just being introduced to him, Wounded Heart of America is a must have.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still uncompromising in his art, August 21, 2007

By 

juliarb08 "fan from train ride days" (Gulf Breeze, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wounded Heart of America (Audio CD)

I just heard Tom play cut #16 "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall" on Letterman tonight and as usual he was poignant and right on. I am about to order this CD to add to all our others. He is truly an American original and if you haven't heard him yet do yourself a favor and treat yourself. I doubt if he's ever worried about being P.C when it comes to his belief system and from what I heard tonight I think that still holds true thank goodness .

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tom Murphy: American Bard, September 21, 2007

By 

C. Korbel "Prairie Girl" (Minneapolis MN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wounded Heart of America (Audio CD)

I have played "Wounded Heart of America" over and over again. Some of the cuts are pure pleasure to my ear and sensitivities, some are very insightful, some are a little humerous but the name is well chosen in that all address some aspect of "wounded" America. My favorite cut is "Walking on the Moon," a ballad that distills the ineffably exhilarating sweetness of falling in love into a song. "Navajo Rug" and "Cuban Sandwich" will put a smile on your face. "Veterans Day" should be mandatory listening for the families of Vietnam-era vets. "Gallo del Cielo" recounts the inevitable outcome of gambling but I don't like the cock-fighting aspect of the song. "Sky Above and Mud Below" is also quite raw and shocking to my sensibilities. "St. Olav's Gate" is great; "Acres of Corn" will be appreciated by any midwestern farm kid. I bought the CD because I heard Tom Russell sing "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall?" on David Letterman a couple weeks ago; it should be mandatory listening for anyone who thinks they've got a simple answer to the illegal immigration situation. Pair that with "Manzanar" and you'll have a perspective on immigration that should inform the current national debate. The orchestration is also fabulous. The variety from the Asian-influenced "Manzanar", the Zydeco Accordian on "Who's Gonna build Your Wall?" the spare guitar on "Walking on the Moon" to the Mexican sound of "Gallo del Cielo" provides very enjoyable listening apart from the poetry of the lyrics. I love this CD and highly recommend it. I only gave it four stars because it's not quite up to "Graceland" or "Glass Houses" but it is more than well worth the purchase price.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, January 16, 2012

By 

Beth Garcia (Terlingua, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wounded Heart of America (Audio CD)

Tom Russell is an amazing songwriter/performer and this album doesn't disappoint. I enjoy nearly every song, which came as no surprise; I'm a big fan of his writing!