Grounded visionary, seminal American folk song storyteller Tom Rush has always stayed true to himself. James Taylor explains why he patterned himself after Tom. "It was easy, it was conversational, it was humble, it wasn't blown up."
This documentary about Tom is a no-frills-needed look at the man behind the music, with his folk music as the score. Gifted with one of the smoothest voices this side of forever, his performances run the range from calming to bringing tears; before you even realize it, your collar is wet.
We hear from Tom himself about his childhood as an adoptee, waiting for his birth parents, the king and queen to arrive. He walks us through his homes, his Harvard hootenannies, and shares a story of how he tried and failed to be a beekeeper and farmer for nine months.
Rush talks about his associations with Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor, whose songs he covered early on in his career, including the hit "Urge For Going," and "Shadow Dream Song," by the upstart Browne. Tom tells a classic, fun story about Jackson Browne.
His narrative takes us through his recording contracts with Prestige, Elekra, Sony, Columbia, and more. He became an entrepreneur to stay on the track he wanted to be. Tom began his own record label, connected directly with fans via email, and is not defined by the artists whose songs he covered. Tom does Tom as he performs in a one man show; standing solo for hours with a guitar, his voice, and tender tales, he enraptures his crowds.
A triumphant return to Symphony Hall concert in 2012 was funded by a Kickstarter campaign as Tom reunited with some of his great musical contemporaries along with outstanding newer talent like Dom Flemons.
SONGS COVERED IN THE FILM Hot Tonight Dreamer Way Down Yonder Merrimac County Josua Fought the Battle of Jerico San Francisco Bay Blues Drop Down Mama Julie's Blues Panama Limited Urge For Going No Regrets Rockport Sunday Child's Song Mother Earth On The Road Again River Song Drivin' Wheel Maggie Joshua Gone Barbados
I highly recommend this film.
This documentary about Tom is a no-frills-needed look at the man behind the music, with his folk music as the score. Gifted with one of the smoothest voices this side of forever, his performances run the range from calming to bringing tears; before you even realize it, your collar is wet.
We hear from Tom himself about his childhood as an adoptee, waiting for his birth parents, the king and queen to arrive. He walks us through his homes, his Harvard hootenannies, and shares a story of how he tried and failed to be a beekeeper and farmer for nine months.
Rush talks about his associations with Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor, whose songs he covered early on in his career, including the hit "Urge For Going," and "Shadow Dream Song," by the upstart Browne. Tom tells a classic, fun story about Jackson Browne.
His narrative takes us through his recording contracts with Prestige, Elekra, Sony, Columbia, and more. He became an entrepreneur to stay on the track he wanted to be. Tom began his own record label, connected directly with fans via email, and is not defined by the artists whose songs he covered. Tom does Tom as he performs in a one man show; standing solo for hours with a guitar, his voice, and tender tales, he enraptures his crowds.
A triumphant return to Symphony Hall concert in 2012 was funded by a Kickstarter campaign as Tom reunited with some of his great musical contemporaries along with outstanding newer talent like Dom Flemons.
SONGS COVERED IN THE FILM Hot Tonight Dreamer Way Down Yonder Merrimac County Josua Fought the Battle of Jerico San Francisco Bay Blues Drop Down Mama Julie's Blues Panama Limited Urge For Going No Regrets Rockport Sunday Child's Song Mother Earth On The Road Again River Song Drivin' Wheel Maggie Joshua Gone Barbados
I highly recommend this film.
