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Tom Rush question
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Subject: Tom Rush question From: Mark Cohen Date: 20 Feb 03 - 02:34 AM I've long believed that Tom Rush was the first person to record songs by Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne, before either of them had their own recordings. Is that true? Or is one of my cherished folk facts just a factoid? Tom's first album, "The Circle Game", included Joni's "Tin Angel", "Urge for Going", and "The Circle Game", and Jackson's "Shadow Dream Song". It also included two by James Taylor ("Something in the Way She Moves" and "Sunshine Sunshine"), so maybe he should be added to the list. Somebody should be able to answer this one. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Joe Offer Date: 20 Feb 03 - 05:17 AM Hi, Mark - take a look at the All-Music Guide. You'll find theat the 1968 "Circle Game" was NOT Rush's first album, but that Joni Mitchell's first album did come out in 1968. Joni's recording of "Circle Game" came out on her Ladies of the Canyon in 1970. Sure does seem that Tom Rush did record some of those great songs before the songwriters did. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: JedMarum Date: 20 Feb 03 - 08:28 AM I remember hearing Tom Rush tell the story of getting Jackson Browne's "These Days" before it was published. That was in 1970. I am quite sure that Rush tried to get unpublished songs like that released on his albums. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: BuckMulligan Date: 20 Feb 03 - 08:58 AM Rush put out two very early albums on Prestige, of tracks he recorded with Fritz Richmond (in someone's apartment off Harvard Square, according to legend, but I dunno) in 1963. I believe the LPs came out shortly thereafter (not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure it was pre-Circle Game). They're terrific, and available on a single CD called "Blues, Songs, and Ballads" by Fantasy, FCD 24709-2. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Ballyholme Date: 20 Feb 03 - 09:29 AM Couldn't agree more, Buck Mulligan. Tom's recording of Barbara Allen on those early albums is superb. His use of slide guitar is inspired and still blows me away when I listen to it. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Rick Fielding Date: 20 Feb 03 - 10:09 AM Jeesus!! Ballyhome, what a memory you've brought back! On the steps of the Riverboat in Toronto....Tom showing some youngsters (me included) how to play the "Barbry Allan slide style". Within two weeks I'd bought an Epiphone Texan! He was singing not only Joni Mitchell's and Jackson Browne's songs very early on but also Fred Holstein and Murray McLaughlin....remember "Old Man's Song" and "Child's Song". And don't forget "Michael Smith's "This Here mandolin". Rick |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Ballyholme Date: 20 Feb 03 - 10:30 AM OK, Rick Fielding, don't stop. What tuning did he use? Any other tips you remember from the great man? |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Midchuck Date: 20 Feb 03 - 10:55 AM I recall hearing Tom do "Circle Game" at the Club 47 while I was in Law school, which makes it prior to Spring of '67 - more likely '65 or '66. Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Midchuck Date: 20 Feb 03 - 10:56 AM Correction: It was "Both Sides Now" he was doing that early. P. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: GUEST,chinmusic Date: 20 Feb 03 - 11:59 AM The thing I most remember about Tom Rush is his superb interpretations of the cover material that he performed. We live in an age where the singer writer is exalted, and they are a lot of great ones around to be sure, however, I think that an artist who can intrepret a song and make it their own, is a wonderful talent to have. I recall spending lots of magical nights at the Riverboat, in Toronto, marveling at this gifted performer. Those were the days, my friends. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Jim Colbert Date: 20 Feb 03 - 12:27 PM I don't think Jackson ever "officially" recorded shadow dream song, did he? Wasn't that only on the record of demos he was circulating in the late sixties? I love Tom Rush... I think there are few live albums better than his late nite radio/new years eve sets from the early 80's, now available on a "most of the good stuff" single CD. jim |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: pxp Date: 20 Feb 03 - 06:57 PM I believe "The Circle Game" was written in 1966. Ian & Sylvia's recording of it appeared that year. Buffy Sainte-Marie's cover appeared the following year. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Mark Cohen Date: 21 Feb 03 - 01:34 AM Thanks for all the information and memories, folks. I saw Tom perform at the Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA (a Main Line suburb of Philadelphia) in 1970, the summer after my high school graduation. He was accompanied by Trevor Veitch, as I recall. A fine concert, even though I wasn't musically sophisticated enough to realize just how good it was. As I recall, Tom's version of "Colors of the Sun" was one of "our songs" with my first girlfriend...sure brings back that adolescent angst! Thanks for the info about the early stuff, Buck. I do recall now seeing one of his early albums in a record store, but I was blues clueless then, so I didn't buy it. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Stewie Date: 21 Feb 03 - 02:47 AM Mark Rush's first album for Elektra has been reissued by Collector's Choice Music. In fact, my copy arrived in the mail yesterday. It stands the test of time very well indeed. Tom Rush 'Tom Rush' CCM-231-2. Lovely stuff! --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Mark Cohen Date: 21 Feb 03 - 03:45 AM Thanks, Stewie. I got a little confused, because his first Columbia album (1970) was also called "Tom Rush". I guess creative album titling was not one of his strengths. Aloha, Mark One of these days I will HAVE to get a turntable that works... |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Lin in Kansas Date: 21 Feb 03 - 05:01 AM Stewie-- Was that the album that had This Old Drivin' Wheel" on it? I just found my copy buried in a box in the basement and was surprised at how good it still sounds. Gotta get that old stuff transferred to CD before it's all ruined. Sigh...too many good songs, not enough time! Lin in Kansas |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Stewie Date: 21 Feb 03 - 09:44 AM Lin It is not on the Elektra one. It was on a Columbia album also titled 'Tom Rush'. There is also an excellent live version of it on his 'New Year' album on the Night Light label. The track listing of the Elektra 'Tom Rush' is: Long John If your man gets busted Do-re-mi Milk cow blues The cuckoo Black Mountain blues Poor man Solid gone When she wants good lovin' I'd like to know Jelly roll Baker Windy Bill Panama Limited --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: GUEST,Elizabeth Byrne Date: 21 Feb 03 - 10:17 AM Hello, This is a message on a different topic for Stewie, hope you don't mind me interrupting! Stewie, I'm a BBC Northern Ireland researcher, and I posted a thread here looking for recent recordings of a SUNG version of 'The Coolin'. PeterT told me that Al O'Donnell does a great version on one of his recent albums, which you sent Peter details of about a year ago... would you by any chance still have those details? If so I would very much appreciate you posting them for me! Thanks very much, apologies again if I'm breaking etiquette. Elizabeth Byrne |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Rick Fielding Date: 21 Feb 03 - 10:29 AM Hi Ballyhome Sorry, missed this yesterday. I seem to recall that it was open D (DADF#AD) but that was SO high for me to sing, I used open G (DGBDGD). He also showed us an instrumental that we LOVED! "Mole's Moan" (Jeff mauldaur's nickname was "mole") Cheers Rick |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Jim Colbert Date: 21 Feb 03 - 11:14 AM Stewie is right on the money- the live version of drivin' wheel positively aches! I think if you check out tom's website he answers some questions on guitar tunings, btw. jim |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Lin in Kansas Date: 21 Feb 03 - 04:52 PM Thank you very much, Stewie. I didn't know there was a live version of "Driving Wheel." I'll have to see if I can find it; that's my favorite Tom Rush song. Lin |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Stewie Date: 21 Feb 03 - 07:34 PM Hi Elizabeth, It is not recent, and it is on one of those albums to which the notorious Mr Bulmer has the rights and is making sure that no one is able to reissue them albeit he appears to have no interest in doing so himself. 'Cuilin' is on Al O'Donnell's first album: Al O'Donnell 'Al O'Donnell' Trailer LER 2073, recorded and produced by Bill Leader 1972. The version he does is from Dominic Behan with traditional tune. O'Donnell's brief note reads: 'This is Dominic Behan's interpretation of one of the classic Irish ballads. Ireland is symbolised here as a beautiful woman'. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Lane Date: 21 Feb 03 - 09:54 PM Anyone know of good sources for tab/lyrics for Tom's music? |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Mark Cohen Date: 21 Feb 03 - 10:36 PM Rick, I remember hearing Mole's Moan--that is, I recall the title but not the tune. It's not on my albums, so I must have heard him do it live. Or, come to think of it, I might have heard him do it as a guest on Gene Shay's folk radio show on WXPN in Philadelphia. Wish I could remember it. (TAB wouldn't do me much good...I play most TAB at about a measure a minute, if I can play it at all.) I just pulled out "Wrong End of the Rainbow" (I REALLY wish I had a turntable! though it seems I can hear those songs crystal clear in my mind's ear) There are some gorgeous songs on that one: I like two of the ones Tom wrote: "Merrimac County" is a great song, simple but it moves. And "Starlight" is very early-70's, but very pretty. I also think his version of Jesse Winchester's "Biloxi" is simply stunning. It's wonderful to hear that there are more folks out there who appreciate him. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Stewie Date: 22 Feb 03 - 12:05 AM Mark, A few years ago, a friend sent me some tapes of a few of Gene Shay's public radion programs and Shay was using Rush's 'Mole's Moan' as his intro/outro sting. That is probably where you recall it from. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Mark Cohen Date: 22 Feb 03 - 12:38 AM That's it! Thanks! |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: rangeroger Date: 22 Feb 03 - 01:25 AM I have the Tom Rush songbook "Wrong End of The Rainbow and other selections from his albums" that I have about worn out over the years. It has the following songs in it; It is my favorite of all my songbooks,and I can do most of the songs in it. If I can't remember them all I have to do is look. rr |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 22 Feb 03 - 02:44 PM I can't resist chiming in about Tom. His first Elektra album was the first album I ever purchased. I was hosting a one hour folk music show on WJHU (broadcast only to the Johns Hopkins dormitories). The early Tom Rush was my idol. A guy who didn't write many soungs, but certainly knew a good song when he heard it and could make it his own. He just led me deeper into folk music, seeking out people like Murray Mc Laughlin and Jackson Browne. I saw him live at the Cellar Door in Washington, D.C.. I got there a little after the show started. The opening act was on stage. Some guy hunched over the piano, almost turned away from the audience and singing in a barely tolerable gravelly voice. But his songs! I went out and bought Tom Waits first two albums right away. Tom seems more like a singer/songwriter now. Oh, well. Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Rick Fielding Date: 22 Feb 03 - 03:41 PM Mark (check the time zones...it's 3:35 Saturday afternoon at the moment) and gimme a phone call sometime. (416-690-8697) I'll play ya Mole's Moan over the speaker phone!! 'Cuz of this thread, I actually started playin' it again last night! Rick |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: GUEST,jaze Date: 22 Feb 03 - 04:44 PM Hi Mark. I loved Wrong End Of The Rainbow when I was in college. There are great songs on it.He does the best version of Sweet Baby James. Fortunately, my wife bought me one of those stereo combo deals that has a turntable! I listened to that lp not too long ago. James |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: Guy Wolff Date: 22 Feb 03 - 06:52 PM What a nice man he is. I live one town away from his parents and he has done lots of concerts over the years to help out in the area. He came into the pottery once and i had no idea who he was. When I asked him what he did he said " Im a folk singer. So i asked him if he liked Ry Cooders work and he said something like " Yah I played with him once or twice" when he said he was doing a concert in New Milford that night with Lui Collins I figured it out.. I thought Lui was in Origon but anyway a very kind and funny guy.. All the best to all here, Guy |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: GUEST,Elizabeth Byrne Date: 24 Feb 03 - 05:44 AM Hi Stewie, That's brilliant, I've really been struggling to find this, so thank you so much! Best, Elizabeth |
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Subject: RE: Tom Rush question From: belfast Date: 25 Feb 03 - 05:41 AM Can't help joining in here just to remark that much as I love the original of "Joshua Gone Barbados" by Eric Von Schmidt, I really prefer the version by Tom Rush. |
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