Russ Tolman is a hero of the Paisley Underground. He was in The Suspects with Kendra Smith, Steve Wynn and Gavin Blair. With Gavin, Richard McGrath, and initially Sean O’Brien he formed True West, recording a famous cover of ‘Lucifer Sam’, and the Drifters and Hollywood Holiday albums.
There followed some acclaimed solo albums, a partnership with Pat Thomas helming the Innerstate label, and a successful True West reformation, captured for posterity on The West Is History DVD.
Russ now returns with Goodbye El Dorado, a concept album about dreams found, lost and found again in the City of Angels. A superlative collection of memorable songs; everyday laments of time melting away on the 405 freeway to personal musings over the intimate, familial travails of having your hopes and dreams running headlong into reality. ‘Los Angeles’ below provides a taster – it’s some taster!
It was recorded in LA, mixed in Osaka, and the supporting personnel is nothing less than a supergroup. Just read and weep; drummer Kevin Jarvis, multi-instrumentalist Robert Lloyd, former Dream Syndicate bassist Davie Provost , and guitarist Kirk Swan from Dumptruck. Cindy Wasserman of Dead Rock West adds backing vocals, and Tom Heyman is on pedal steel.
For LA folks there is a launch this Saturday and Russ is in Europe in May through early June, at a bunch of cool venues including the Colegio de la Abogacía in Bilbao, Music Star in Norderstedt, Folk and Rock in Malmo, the Red Rooster Festival on June 1st, and then a week of UK dates.
All the dates and ordering info is on Russ’ website
Bucketfull Of Brains 