Monty Russell, The Fool (Independent)

Decked out in baggy pants, drab black jacket and Buddy Holly glasses, Monty Russell looks every bit the antithesis of the slick, polished, Nashville-groomed country star. Perhaps that’s a reflection of his style which is also antithetical to the sounds being cranked out today along “Music Row.” But what this grandson of Leon Russell from Ruston, Louisiana has going for him is the same thing the pioneers of the genre had going for them: pure, raw talent. Russell’s guitar and vocal style is reminiscent of his musical forefathers. For fans of roots C&W it’s a refreshing change of pace from all the sound-alike male country performers on today’s scene. This Nashville-recorded CD is well-crafted, complete with the requisite roots C&W components—pedal steel guitar, fiddles, and accordion. Twelve of the thirteen tracks feature original lyrics that demonstrate great creativity and imagination. With strains of Cajun and blues influence sprinkled throughout, Monty Russell has turned out a great effort.