Tom Russell - The Man from God Knows Where
List Price:
Our Price: $8.96
You Save: $4.98 (36%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.20 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Tom RussellBrand: RUSSELL,TOM
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1999-03-16
Music Label: Shout Factory
Soundtracks:
- The Man From God Knows Where
- Wayfarin' Stranger
- Patrick Russel
- Mary Clare Malloy (American Wake)
- The Outcast
- Ambrose Larsen
- The Dreamin'
- The Old Northern Shore
- The Man From God Knows Where
- Anna Olsen
- Rider On An Orphan Train
- Acres Of Corn
- The Man From God Knows Where
- Sitting Bull In Venice
- The Old Rugged Cross
- Anna Olsen's Letter Home
- Eg Er Framand
- When Irish Girls Grow Up
- Casey Jones
- Chickasaw County Jail
- Wayfarin' Stranger (Passage Of Time)
- Throwin' Horseshoes At The Moon
- The Man From God Knows Where
- The Outcast (Revisited)
- Wayfarin' Stranger (Revisited)
- Love Abides
Free Music Notes for The Man from God Knows Where
Free Music Review: Looking For The Roots
Hit: 5 Stars
If a first look at the music of the Irish Diaspora has to begin with a look at the ballads and traditions from the old country then the next look almost logically, at least for one writing in America, is to look here for the dispersal of that music. America, as a nation of immigrants from its inception, was a natural place for those who had to flee the old country to land. In the particular case of my forebears it was in the `famine' ships of the late 1840's, necessitated by the potato blight that led to the starvation of millions (although there was, in fact, plenty of food- for the British).
For the creator of the CD under review, Tom Russell, it was an earlier time for his forebears but the conditions were the same-luck, fate, opportunity, political opposition call it any name but mainly, it was time to leave- or be pushed outof the old country. Russell, in his search for his roots, has created this "concept" CD that reaches deep into the Irish immigrant experience and what became of its progeny. In some sense it is a generic immigrant story, but mainly it is an Irish story that goes the length and breath of America over several generations.
Here is a question first though: What is not to like about a serial tale of the Texas Irish, the Irish liberation struggle and Iris Dement? Well, given my commentaries over the past year reviewing the literary work of Texas author Larry McMurtry, some reminiscences of my own growing up in a poor working class, mainly Irish, neighborhood in the Greater Boston area and my `discovery' of my "Arkie Angel", Iris Dement, who is heavily featured here (especially good are "Acres Of Corn" and "The Old Rugged Cross"), the answer is absolutely nothing. Add in an well-cast appearance as "The Outcast" (representing the wretched of the earth who landed on these shores, for good or evil) of an old folk favorite, Dave Van Ronk, and this sets up as a great CD for those searching for their roots.
Two themes dominate this album. The first is suggested by the title-"The Man From God Knows Where..." That little concept encapsulates the gist of the American experience over the past century and one half as the Irish (and others) assimilated and took their places in society. Nevertheless, as described here, it was a near thing and as some of the songs indicate it was dearly bought either by alienation from the main culture or a lost of sense of the past in th eold country. Hence the search. In some senses that title song (broken up into several tracks interspersed throughout the album), "Patrick Russell" (about the first Russell on these shores), "Mary Clare Malloy" (about the landing on the shores) and "When Irish Girls Grow Up" (about the varied possibilities when young women leave home in search of adventure, etc.) represent that aspect of the immigrant experience.
The other theme is that of the "American Primitive Man" who takes this land by a storm, one way or another, starting with old Patrick and who twists and turns it to his liking-or gets turned and twisted by it. That contradiction lies just below the surface of this fine work, and is epitomized by the story of Tom Russell's Texas tall father (who is the inspiration for this whole thing) in "Chickasaw County Jail". But enough. Get this CD and listen (several times) to a slice of our common history.
The Man from God Knows Where Poster
No Description AvailableNo Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: RUSSELL,TOM
Title: MAN FROM GOD KNOWS WHERE
Street Release Date: 03/16/1999
Genre: FOLK
Country Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Country Music CDs
Johnie Lewis - Alabama Slide GuitarRelease date: 1998-01-20; Music CD
Best price: $6.98
Price in other shops:
Lightnin Hopkins - Texas BluesRelease date: 1993-11-30; Music CD
Best price: $11.61
Price in other shops:
Lewis - LegendsRelease date: 1986-11-01; Music CD
Price in other shops:
![Hotel California [Vinyl] Image](/images/Hotel-California-Vinyl-B0000001D6-X.jpg)
Eagles - Hotel California [Vinyl]Release date: 1997-12-05; Music CD
Best price: $229.99
Ccr - Bayou CountryRelease date: 1993-06-18; Music CD
Best price: $84.99
Taj Mahal - Senor BluesRelease date: 1997-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Fonte VivaMusic CD
Blackland Farmer-Complete StarBear Family (GE; Published: 2008-02; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $74.98
Taken By Surpriseby Red Hot Burritos
Published: 1992; Music CD
Best price: $19.99
Christmas Joy: Solo Piano for the Holidaysby Deborah Offenhauser
Pba Music Pub; Published: 2005-11-30; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $23.99
Top Rated Albums
Tom Russell - The Long Way Around (Acoustic Collection)Release date: 1997-05-06; Music CD
Best price: $8.11
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - Love and FearRelease date: 2006-03-21; Music CD
Best price: $7.89
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - Modern ArtRelease date: 2003-04-22; Music CD
Best price: $8.06
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - Song of the West: The Cowboy CollectionRelease date: 1997-09-09; Music CD
Best price: $8.59
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - BorderlandRelease date: 2001-04-17; Music CD
Best price: $11.06
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - Blood & Candle Smoke (Dig)Release date: 2009-09-15; Music CD
Best price: $8.41
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - The Rose of the San JoaquinRelease date: 1995-09-19; Music CD
Best price: $8.22
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - Indians Cowboys Horses DogsRUSSELL,TOM; Release date: 2004-02-24; Music CD
Best price: $8.36
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - Veteran's Day: The Tom Russell AnthologyRelease date: 2008-10-28; Music CD
Best price: $16.42
Price in other shops:
Tom Russell - MesabiRelease date: 2011-09-06; Music CD
Best price: $8.48
Price in other shops: