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View Full Version : Album Club 03.01.2012 : Calvin Russell - A Crack In Time



Bazil
03-01-2012, 10:07
I had never heard of this guy until his death was flagged up on a forum last year, accompanied by this video http://youtu.be/5yngIMszdK8 (not on this album). I was immediately hooked by his vocal and inquired which album to buy first.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3007/crackbh.jpg

Crack in Time (1990)- Russell's debut at the age of 41.
http://open.spotify.com/album/7pJIl29QrKNxGDhVYqxnYT


Not well known in his native USA, Calvin Russell made a career touring the continent and releasing albums on a French label.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Russell_%28musician%29
"My Way" track 6 (not the Sinatra song) has become my favorite "last one before bed" a real winding down over a malt song.


http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/1032/20787769.jpg
Calvin Russell 1948-2011

Tim
03-01-2012, 12:19
I'm quite enjoying this, never heard of him before. Not sure I would buy it at the moment, but I will certainly give it a second listen and vote after that - bit of ZZ Top in there too ;)

The Grand Wazoo
04-01-2012, 00:55
I've played this a couple of times today (amongst a whole lot of other albums) and my initial impression is that I quite like it. I spotted the ZZ Top analogy of Tim's straight away on track 2. But the rest of it mostly reminded me of Grant Lee Phillips / Grant Lee Buffalo, who I like a lot, so this album had a fairly easy ride.

Not so dark sounding as Grant Lee, but a similar sort of style. I'm not convinced I'll be buying it yet, but a few more plays may change that.
Is this his best album then Barry?

Bazil
04-01-2012, 12:03
Not so dark sounding as Grant Lee, but a similar sort of style. I'm not convinced I'll be buying it yet, but a few more plays may change that.
Is this his best album then Barry?

That was the question I asked and was told his debut album was excellent and its always best to start at the beginning. I've since bought the 2nd which has the excellent "Crossroads" (see you tube vid in OP) on it but IMO its not as good as Crack in Time.
I have vinyl copies which are extremely hard to come by, both s/h and from Germany.

Bazil
04-01-2012, 12:37
Been surfing to get a bit more info, it seems his 1st (Crack) is highly regarded and the track Crossroads as I've mentioned gets a lot of praise. Being very much a performer his 3 live albums are all relatively big sellers.

Alex_UK
04-01-2012, 12:58
I'd never heard of him, to be honest... I played it yesterday, and after track 2 especially, had to play Eliminator straight after! :eyebrows:. I'll give it another spin today before giving it marks out of 10, but I quite like it. :)

MartinT
04-01-2012, 13:15
I'm liking this a lot, the feel and atmosphere as well as his singing are quality. The ZZ Top connection in track 2 is clear, but there is more to it than that, with depth and some great slow numbers.

MartinT
04-01-2012, 15:36
A firm 8/10 from me and I've ordered a copy :)

Bazil
04-01-2012, 17:23
A firm 8/10 from me and I've ordered a copy :)

Nice one Martin, what do you think of "My Way"?

MartinT
04-01-2012, 17:53
Nice one Martin, what do you think of "My Way"?

It's one of those great slow burners, isn't it? I also like Big Brother. It's a consistently good album.

Just listening on Spotify, I can tell that this is a good dynamic recording. Can't wait to get the CD but wish I could have found an LP.

baron
07-01-2012, 18:14
Good choice, never heard of him, just ordered the CD 8/10. Thanks

keiths
07-01-2012, 18:21
I've just given it 8/10 as I've really enjoyed the couple of listens so far. A good mix of country ballad-type songs and more uptempo ones. Often he sounds a bit like Willie Nelson (no bad thing really) but with a more contemporary feel. Will get a copy and also check out his other albums.

Bazil
13-01-2012, 09:58
Anybody else voting, really interested in peoples opinion on this artist.

MartinT
13-01-2012, 12:23
Got the CD, love it :)

Bazil
13-01-2012, 13:21
Really glad you like it Martin, I lent my LP to a mate who was also hooked straight away.

Reid Malenfant
13-01-2012, 15:42
Anybody else voting, really interested in peoples opinion on this artist.
I'll be catching up with a load I have missed now that I can trace & delete all spotify storage on my PC :eyebrows:

So yes, more to come yet ;)

Reid Malenfant
13-01-2012, 17:16
I wouldn't normally listen to this sort of music, but I enjoyed it :D

Not sure I'd buy it as I have other priorities, but it gets a solid 7/10 from me :)

Alex_UK
13-01-2012, 18:25
Anybody else voting, really interested in peoples opinion on this artist.

Sorry Barry - I was expecting a nice gentle start to 2012 - not quite how it has panned out, so not been on AoS a great deal compared to usual, or indeed listening to music. :(

Still, Calvin gets a solid 7 from me, and I also love the fact that someone can suddenly launch a music career at 41 (only a year younger than me - gives everyone hope who still has a dream...) Not sure if I will buy it yet, but I will definitely listen again on Spotify and may well splash out on a copy. :)

Welder
19-01-2012, 00:08
I couldn't really get on with this. Just had that feeling that i had heard it all before.

4/10