Lets talk Tom Rush

Subject: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: olddude
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 09:53 PM

Just listening to Drivin Wheel
I feel like some old engine
lost my drivin wheel

What are your favorites? I haven't given Tom a serious listen in years - amazing songwriter I think anyway

Dan

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Zhenya
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 10:10 PM

Hi Dan,

Just saw your message and cued up The Dreamer from the New Year album on my iTunes. Some other favorites from that album are Gold on the River and Merrimack County. (That last one I first heard in high school, many years ago...). I agree, I really like his songwriting. Thanks for inspiring some instant nostalgia.

Zhenya

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: oldhippie
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 10:13 PM

"Beam Me Up Scotty" has got to be my favorite Tom Rush cut.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Rapparee
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 10:20 PM

Likewise. A good songwriter; you've brought back some nostalgia.

I just GOTTA dig out the LPs!

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Ron Davies
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 10:26 PM

He didn't write it, but, as I recall, he did an absolutely classic version of "Urge for Going".

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: cptsnapper
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 11:20 PM

I just wish that he would come over to Britain to tour.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 12:17 AM

Then you'll love THIS ONE ... a new one, but already it's classic Tom Rush!

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Barry Finn
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 12:35 AM

Nice song Jed but to close to home, thanks for the link

Ron, that's the song I think of when I think of Tom Rush, do you know when he 1st recorded "Urge For Going"? Must've been in my late teenage yrs or very early 20's by the memories that it invokes.

Barry

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: cptsnapper
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 04:14 AM

I first heard Tom years ago on the tv when he was singing " No Regrets" - just as my girl friend * I were saying our final good byes! But I still rate him highly.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 08:50 AM

A great songwriter - but Driving Wheel is credited to D Whiffen. As good as his own songs are, his taste in songwriters is even better. He was one of the first, if not the first, to record Joni Mitchell, Jesse Winchester, Jackson Browne....

Urge For Going was on the LP, The Circle Game. My copy has no date on it, but if I said 1967 I don't think I'd be off by more than a year one way or t'other.

And before he discovered all those songwriters, he did a fine line in trad stuff on his earlier albums.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 08:53 AM

add James Taylor to that list of firsts ... (Sweet Baby James)

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: olddude
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 08:56 AM

Oh my Gosh
Urge for Going ... how long has it been since I thought of that
Thank you ...

I didn't know that about Driving Wheel ... thank you

Great stuff, now I am all pumped to find my old records or borrow them from my buddie

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Dave Illingworth
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 09:08 AM

Yes indeed, Tom Rush.

I have been a fan for many a year - and still cherish those two live LPs I bought.

In my own limited way, I have been singing songs from his repertoire for ages:- URGE FOR GOING, NO REGRETS, BEAM ME UP SCOTTY;       and DRIVING WHEEL has long been our closing number in three different bands I have sung with (plus solo gigs). And was again two nights ago.......

A lovely laid-back voice and a fine ear for good material.
I would love to see him sing in UK.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: topical tom
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 09:38 AM

I first heard Tom Rush at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival.He appeared in a workshop with John Sebastian and Dave Van Ronk.What a treat!He sang a song about a coyote hunt somewhere out west.One or two coyotes ended up dead.A line of the song invited the hunters to kill coyotes "one for country, one for God."How the audience laughed!He also sang the song about visiting the state of Arkansas.Among many others, I'm sure, Lee Hayes of The Weavers sang that song.
Tom is a treat to hear, and doesn't only sing humorous songs.An excellent entertainer.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 09:40 AM

Yeah,

He is one of my heros. Jed, that song you linked to wasn't written by Tom. Can't remember the writer's name (oops). Just another example, however, of his excellent choices in songs.

I have been playing and singing "No Regrets" for nearly 40 years and I still haven't grown tired of it. He also led me to "When She Wants Good Loving", which shows up in most of my gigs. That was written by those blues greats Lieber and Stroller.

He is the artist I have seen most often seen in Concert. Saw him once at the Cellar Door in Washington. I got there late and the opening act had started. Some guy at the piano singing "My time went so swiftly, I went lickety-splitly, out to my old '55. As I pulled away slowly, I was feeling so holy, God knows, I was feeling alive." That was my introduction to Tom Waits.

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 12:59 PM

I'm a huge Tom Rush fan too. I don't think of him as a song-writer, but as a performer. I realize that he has written some songs, but his strength is in his interpretations of other people's songs, like joanie Mitchell's Urge For Going or David Whiffen's Driving Wheel.
I've heard criticisms of Tom for being a "Cover Artist", but I've suffered through many evenings of singer/songwriters who refuse to perform the works of others, but perform only their own so-so songs. If a songwriter is truly gifted, like Fred Eaglesmith or Todd Snider or Bob Snider, then they can put on a great show using only their own material, but most singer/songwriters don't have this talent. Many of my favourites, like Pete Seeger, Billie Holiday, Jack Elliott... are better known for their performance of others songs and traditional songs, though they did write songs themselves.
I have written songs and tunes , but am not prolific enough to put on a whole performance of just my own tunes and songs. I have had two of my songs recorded by others and I find it a great honour. I'd like to extend that feeling to others by performing (and crediting) their songs. I always mention the writer in my introduction or liner notes.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 01:04 PM

I'll echo what Jim said. Perhaps my favorite song that I heard done by Tom Rush was "Hobo's Mandolin". And those of you that havn't heard "Trolling for Owls" need to rush right out and get it.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 03:32 PM

He does a great job with "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" and "Duncan and Brady" on (Got A Mind Yo Ramble, prestige 1963).

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 03:36 PM

I know the link is not to a song written by Tom. As far as I know he does not write much.

He is such a terrific performer it is hard to explain to folks who've not seen him - and there's big show or flash - it's just Tom Rush.

I saw Linda Ronstadt open the show for Tom at the Orpheum Theater in Boston. This was when Linda was on top of the world with her big, rockin' band, you remember, "I've been cheated - When will I be loved" sort of stuff. She played an awesome show with that great band, balzing guitars. pedal steel, bass, drums, keys - then out Tom by himself and he brought the house down!

What a show. What a performer!

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 03:52 PM

OOOOPs

I ought to read before I post.

That should say "- and there's no big show or flash "

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 04:15 PM

And i also love him singing
"Down around Biloxi"
wonderfully evocative song
albert

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Dave Illingworth
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 04:48 PM

Thanks GUEST Jim for stating my own feelings about Tom Rush and the accusations certain great singers get for being so-called "cover artists". Rush really knows a good song and knows how to put it over. Who cares if he is hardly a prolific song-writer (although I would die happy if I had just written one song as good as NO REGRETS)
he is a fine singer and interpreter.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 05:57 PM

Thanks for starting this thread. Tom is one of the under rated folk singer/songwriters whose material I have listened to since the seventies. I hold him in tremendous high regard.

I didn't get to see him perform live til last year, and he was terrific; modest, warm, funny and personable as a performer, and his songs and touching and poignant as ever.

My favorites from Tom(whether or not he wrote them , they are songs I first learned from him) are

Rockport Sunday- gosh I WISH I could play this like he does, song is

                   SO evocative and touching


No Regrets - signature tune


Biloxi -I believe written by Jesse Winchester, but I first heard Tom's verison of this mystical and sensual tune


Joshua Gone Barbados - haunting and beautiful song about an ugly
                           and true political situation

along with Child's Song, Driving Wheel, etc. etc.


And yes, he did the" Memory Song "in concert - it was so funny and true, you know.... I can almost remember it.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: MarkS
Date: 27 Jun 08 - 10:48 AM

Tom still tours and his albums are still available - just go to his web site for schedule and store.

Years ago I wore my fingers bloody copying his version of Bukka Whites "Panama Limited"

When I (infrequently) gig today, I still use a lot of Woody Guthrie which I learned from his albums. And the last time on stage I did a shameless copy of the Remember Song. Brought the house down.

When on stage today, Tom does a hilarious bit about the songs you just can't do any more. "Big Fat Woman" for example. His routine is on his "Trolling for Owels" CD - from his site.

Hope he keeps going forever!

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 11:03 AM

While we're at it, let's credit some of the songwriters Tom has covered (and helped bring to our attention).
Wesley S. mentioned Hobo's Mandolin, written by the great Chicago song-writer Michael Smith. I think Michael called it This Old Mandolin.
The song mentioned by Kevin, Duncan and Brady is probably a folk song, but Tom's version is a cover of Spider John Koerner's.
Lefthanded guitar mentioned Joshua Gone Barbados which I believe was written by the late Eric Von Schmidt.
Child's Song, also mentioned by Lefthanded guitar was written by Canadian Murray Mclachlin (Sorry if I mis-spelled your name Murray)Appropriately, I don't remember who wrote The Remember Song.

As was mentioned above, when Tom Does decide to perform one of his own songs it's what Guy Clark calls "a keeper" like No Regrets.

A great thing about Tom's live show is his between song patter. Right up there with Utah Philips, Gamble Rogers, Fred Eaglesmith, Hayes Carll...

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: JedMarum
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 11:46 AM

don't get me started on "cover artists"

I hate that snide, f*cking term! It was invented to belittle performers who are not necessarily songwriters - implying that songwriting is a more superior art - and that singers of other people's songs are somehow less worthy! That's a load of crap and Tom Rush is a perfect example of just how much shite that argument is!

A cover band or cover act is one that dedicates their art to imitating another artist or style. It is NOT simply a performer who sings other people's songs. The best and most prolific songwriters in the world almost always sing other people's songs!!

I think Tom Rush has a good mix of originals with his performance. He writes well and the songs he writes fit perfectly within the "story" he weaves on-stage at each of his concerts. A concert artist like Tom has a flow and narrative to his performance - whether it's planned or not, I don't pretend to know - but he brings variety, humor and his own vision of humanity to his audience through the music he presents. He is generous with information and praise for the sources of his music (songwriters and other characters) and each song fits the grander purpose of honoring the music of time and our culture. That art is certainly as high as songwriting.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: JedMarum
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 11:50 AM

I know no one in this thread was using "cover artists" as an insult ... I guess it's obvious the term is a pet peeve of mine! No offense meant to any of my fellow posters in this thread.

;-)

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: KenM
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 11:57 PM

Tom Rush is one of my all time favorites. I last saw him a year or so back at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. That great sense of humor, tremendous intpretation of songs, the wonderful stuff from "Trolling for Owls"....his monologue about the french canadian in New Hampshire will make you pee your pants (well, it will if you are as old as me)......Nobody mentioned yet on this thread his great open tuning technique which he shares with Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens......and, that incredible slide guitar he uses (usually with borrowed knives from the kitchen) on Galveston Flood

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 11:04 AM

JedMarum,
   In spite of the fact that I was the one who introduced the term "Cover artist" to this thread, I couldn't agree with you more. The term was not used on people like Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole nor Ella Fitzgerald, though they sang (brilliantly) songs written by others.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 02:07 PM

Just to follow-up. There is a prior thread "Lyr Req: Remember Song (Steven Walters)" You can use the search engine to find it. So the author of "The Remember Song" is Steven Walters. I still can't remember whom I heard sing it at The Folkal Point.

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 03:12 PM

Tom Rush was an important influence for me 'way back around '63-'64 when I first picked up the guitar. Back then, he was not recording any self-penned numbers, strictly his interpretations of songs he had learned.

When I got his eponymous Vanguard album (I assume it was his first recording), I was slightly taken aback that he included songs by Chuck Berry and Bo Diddly along with other material with more conventionally "folk" provenance. Even though I was starting to develop "folk-snob" attitudes around that time, I was totally charmed by Tom Rush's acoustic-guitar-and-vocal renditions of "Too Much Moneky Business" and "Who Do You Love" (along with the other stuff on that great record), and forever after kept an open mind about what kind of songs I could allow myself to listen to and to learn.

I always liked Rush's style, both vocal and instrumental, and liked the idea that he was a Harvard student (and graduate?) who aspired to make his living as a performer rather than as a lawyer, accountant, diplomat, etc. I remember telling my mom about Tom Rush's university affiliation, thinking it was a good thing, and being surprised at her reaction ~ it's bad enough that anyone would waste his time with that stupid folk music, but infinitely worse to waste such an expensive education!

Towards the end of the 1960s, I kinda drifted along with many of contemporaries from folk to folk-blues to "folk-rock" to psychedelia and rock/pop, and sorta lost track of Tom Rush for a while, missing out on the period when he began writing more and more original material. I certainly remember "No Regrets," but I'm not really familiar with any of the other titles mentioned above.

I'm sure his original material is very good, because I believe that he's the kind of guy who would never perform a song of his own unless he was satisified with its high quality. He certainly always had high standards (and very eclectic standards!) in choosing songs written by others for his working repertoire.

Despites once having aspirations to "become" a songwriter, I do not write at all and find complete creative satisfaction in coming up with intrumental arrangements and vocal interpretations for existing songs that I know and love. Nothing wrong with that, and there are plenty of artists far greater than myself who have succeeded by taking that approach. Tom Rush, Dave Van Ronk, Janis Joplin....

As my monthly email flyer regularly promises:

No originals ~ all PROVEN material!
Cringe-free listening experience guaranteed

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 08:12 AM

PoppaGator,

"Too Much Monkey Business", etc. was on Elektra and the album was "Take a Little Walk with Me". His first Elektra album was eponymusly titled.

Prior to those he released a cassette in 1962 on the Night Light label entitled "Tom Rush at the Unicorn". Then he had two albums on Prestige: : "Got a Mind to Ramble" and "Blues, Songs and Ballads".
The two Prestige albums were republished by Fantasy Records under the title "Blues, Songs, and Ballads".

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,Redneckred
Date: 18 Mar 20 - 11:58 PM

I have one very serious criticism of Tom Rush: Over the last six decades, he has never toured Western Canada even once! Scew you, Tom!

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 06:58 AM

From: cptsnapper Date: 25 Jun 08 - 11:20 PM
I just wish that he would come over to Britain to tour.

Manchester RNCM. Triple A presents Tom Rush.
Sun 21/6/20 8:00PM RNCM Theatre.

21 June 2020. We desperately need something to look forward to, but I'm not holding my breath.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: gillymor
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 08:52 AM

I think I first heard TR doing his version of Bukka White's Panama Limited on FM radio back in the early 70's. He also did my favorite version of Diamond Joe.

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: Elmore
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 11:06 AM

Saw him perform a lot un the sixties and seventies, Not so often after that. When I got to catch his shows recently I was pleased to find his singing and guitar work and story telling were as good as ever, maybe better

Subject: RE: Lets talk Tom Rush
From: GUEST,Greg F.
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 02:14 PM

Saw him in Middlebury, VT November 2019. Amazing - every bit as good as he was in the '60's. And yes, he did "Panama Limited".