Tom Rush has been around – but still sounds fresh
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Toolbox
By ART EDELSTEIN Arts Correspondent - Published: September 18, 2009
There are few performers worthy of the title "legendary" so I do not use this word lightly when describing Tom Rush. This longtime folk musician performs on Saturday at the Chandler Music Hall in Randolph and his show should not be missed. (He will also perform the following Saturday, Oct. 3, at Stowe's Jackson Arena.)
Rush has been a performer for a long time, longer than his latest photos would reveal. He was an early contributor to the folk scene in Boston and New York and is a contemporary of Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Richie Havens and Joan Baez, among others of that first wave of urban folk musicians. His first album, "Tom Rush at The Unicorn," dates from 1962 some 47 years ago.
Rush may not have reached the heights of popularity that enveloped Dylan, Ochs and Baez, because back then he was less a songwriter than song interpreter. I also think he carried little of the "angry man" image and folk protester pose that his contemporaries had.
Through his long career his mellow New Hampshire-inflected baritone has only gotten better. This is proven on his recent CD "What I Know," his first studio album in 35 years. On this CD we hear a Rush whose voice shows no signs of the considerable wear and tear one might expect from so many performances over such a long period of time. Also, the material is anything but post-retirement geriatric musing. Unlike Dylan, whose voice now sounds cranky as well as creaky, Rush sounds like he could be an up-and-coming alt-country crooner.
While new studio CDs are great to listen to, the proof of a fine performer's mettle is in live performance. There's plenty of that on YouTube to check out, but a real gem of an album proving how good Rush is live arrived in the promotion package his management sent to this reviewer. The album is "Tom Rush Trolling for Owls," and is a limited-release found only at shows. This CD contains lots of stage banter and songs that are light-hearted or downright funny. This is pure Tom Rush at his best, showing just how entertaining this performer is.
For those who've never heard of Rush, suffice it to say that he is a fine guitarist although his instrumental abilities usually take a back seat to his vocal prowess. He is also a fine songwriter — the memorable "No Regrets" for instance — but generally is given credit for his interpretations of other writers' songs such as Joni Mitchell's "The Circle Game."
Sometimes Rush sounds pure folk, other times there is an inflection of country music in his voice. Regardless of the treatment, Rush's talent and pure professionalism make his work a delight to hear.
This should be a really good concert. Rush has is brand new album available, but don't forget to purchase "Trolling for Owls." It's a gem.