We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
One of the early successes of the singer-songwriter era was New Englander Tom Rush. He had a series of critically acclaimed albums in the mid to late 60’s. The LPs were full of his own songs but he also became notable for cutting the songs of some of the up and coming songwriters including James Taylor, Jackson Browne and especially Joni Mitchell. He did a scintillating cover of “Circle Game” which became the title of his 1968 LP
One of his own songs became a folk standard. “No Regrets”, full of break-up angst, but seeing a bereak-up as clear-eyed as any song of the genre….It even had a promtional video to go with it.
In 1972 Rush released a tasty little LP called “Merrimack County”. It’s full of the lyrical phrasing that his songs were known for. Lines like ” Finding myself wanting nothing, but to be with you again”. Or “Seems the life I chose is different than my dreams”. Or, “No matter how I plan these years, there’s no way out alive.”
My faves on the Lp include “Mink Julip”, “Seems Like The Songs”, Wind On The Water” and Merrimack County II”. He also continues to promote new talent by cutting ‘Browne’s ‘Jamaica Say You Will” and a sparkling “Mother Earth” from Eric Kaz.
He’s joined by some quality cats backing him up including Canadian Trevor Veitch who adds some nice mandolin on a number of songs.
Rush never was a big name but he did put together a nice career that continues to this day. If this is your first listen he has a lot of music to explore.
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