Tom Rush - What I Know '2020

Tracks list

Tracklist

01. Hot Tonight
02. East of Eden
03. River Song
04. Too Many Memories
05. What I Know
06. All a Man Can Do
07. Fall into the Night
08. Casey Jones
09. Youre Not Here with Me
10. What an Old Lover Knows
11. Silly Little Diddle
12. Lonely
13. No One Else but You
14. One Good Man
15. Drift Away


Its hard to believe that What I Know marked the first Tom Rush studio album in
35 years when it was released in early 2009. But its true -- although he
released quite a bit of studio material in the first decade of his career, and
has remained active as a touring musician since the mid-70s, this is the first
studio product to emerge since then. Sounds like hes never been away is the kind
of cliché you hear often when these projects appear, but in Rushs case, it
seems more appropriate than it does in most such situations. His vocal style
remains the same -- good-natured, friendly, and intimate, with a tinge of weary
wistfulness. Thankfully, the production, like Rush himself, is low-key and,
though grounded in folk and country music, has full and varied instrumentation.
While there are celebrity cameos in the shape of guest harmony vocals by Emmylou
Harris, Nanci Griffith, and Bonnie Bramlett on a track apiece, those are
sympathetic complementary contributions, not parts roped in to grab attention.
The songs are a comfortable mix of Rush originals (only five; hes never been the
most prolific writer), the traditional song Casey Jones, and nine choices of
outside material. The most renowned of the other writers being Eliza Gilkyson
(who composed Fall into the Night), and the most surprising choice of material,
the CD-closing Drift Away, Rush rearranging that 70s soul hit into something
suitably folky and reflective. The good-natured riding-into-the twilight feel of
this record might guarantee it wont cause any earthquakes, but Rush has never
been that kind of artist, and this record is a solid continuation of the mood
hes largely followed all his musical life.

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