Disappointing release from Calvin Russell
Ian Graham | Winnipeg Canada | 02/26/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"On this release the laid back country rootsy blues of his previous excellent releases is gone replaced with a too loud upfront production that comes across sounding like an average 80s bar band. The only exception to this is "In spite of it all" which is truer to his previous releases. For me it was a disappointment and does not contain any memorable tracks and is marred by a weak set of songs. I am a fan of Calvin Russell's work and hope his next release is bck to his previous high quality."
This raucous, rockin', bluesy outlaw will blow you away!
Daniel E. White | Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada | 04/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I must admit that I only recently discovered the incredible musical ability of Calvin Russell through a couple of generously donated promotional copies. But I am incredibly grateful to have this music filling my home. "In Spite Of It All" now has a permanent place in my 5-slot CD player!
The first track, "Oval Room", opens with rocking guitars and Calvin's rich, defiant voice providing the social/political commentary that is so appropriate to our times.
We get a hint of insight into Russell's life in "My Money's On You", where Calvin sings, "There's a bad part of town in every town..." and "...if there's a chance one of us will make it, my money's on you...".
The SPV website lists the third track as "Voodoo River", though my promo copy had "But I Got You", another rocking tune where Calvin says he was "born with nothing" and humorously adds, "I still got most of that!". We sense Russell has had a hard life, but has learned to heal and grow through his expressive music that makes everything better somehow.
We move on to my favourite track, "When You Smile", which I also don't see on the SPV website track listing. This song is easily chart-topping material that reaches out to a diverse audience, so I hope it makes an appearance on a future domestic version of the CD if it isn't on the import. This song "runs deep" with a beautiful combination of guitars, keyboards, drums, and Russell's soulful voice.
"All I Need" will wake you up and perhaps elicit a chuckle as Calvin croons, "Some people want to be normal, some people want to be weird...all I want is to live until I die".
"Just Like L.A." will have people "shaking it" as Calvin tells how he dreamed he died and went to hell, only to discover it was just like L.A.! I can see this one becoming an easy hit for dance deejays everywhere, as it will definitely get people out of their seats.
"In Spite Of It All", the title track, brings us back to Russell's sad-but-hopeful social commentary. The moving lyrics and lilting guitars will have you playing this song again and again.
"Too Much Room" picks up the pace with its lanky guitars and Calvin's upbeat admonition that, "if you ain't livin' on the edge, you're taking up too much room".
"Cans" is easily one of his best songs as Russell puts forth the social statements our conspicuous consumption, SUV society should hear. Hard to categorize musically, I would describe it as a bluesy, folk-rock, hobo lament! We experience the life of a homeless person with lines like, "the cops on horseback, stay on my back; say don't care where you go, just don't stay here...a metal miser, a dumpster diver, you don't never know what you'll find there."
I think this album will appeal to a wide array of listeners and you won't go wrong owning a copy. Enjoy!
"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1