Tom Rush is one of the original connectors to the folk revival movement of the 1960s, and those are quickly disappearing.
Rush has spent nearly all of his 50-year career interpreting the songs of others. His early covers of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Jackson Browne helped them gain needed exposure. Rush has only written 20 songs during his career. That is what makes his new release, Voices, unique and interesting, as it contains 10 original compositions plus his arrangements of two traditional tunes.
Now in his late seventies, he remains a folk singer. There may be a little bluegrass in some of the music, and his arrangements of “Corina Corina” and “Elder Green” have a light blues feel. Overall, his lyrics and melodies remain at the center of American folk music.
His focus is always on the words, whether someone else’s or, in this case, his own. Songs of life, sex, and regret have been constant topics during his career and are presented is a straightforward manner on this release.
Rush has always had a subtle and wry sense of humor, which is exhibited on the quirky “If I Never Get Back To Hackensack.” As a counterpoint, “Cold River” is a simple “I fought the law” tune that would fit the Dust Bowl era of Woody Guthrie.
The center of the album revolves around such songs as “Going Down To Nashville” and “Voices,” which deal with life from his 77-year-old perspective.
Tom Rush is like an old friend who stops by every few years and then disappears for a while. Voices is his latest calling card, and it is well worth the visit.
