Search - Tom Rush :: Circle Game

THE Definitive Tom Rush CD!

Barron Laycock | Temple, New Hampshire United States | 05/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I saw and heard Tom Rush perform was at the old Club 47 in Cambridge, MA soemtime in the late 1960s. His distinctive and singular vocal style and intricately lyrical guitar work sets a mood that I've never seen surpassed. All of the music here is terrific, from "Urge For Going" to "Shadow Dream Song" to the long and dreamy "Rockport Sunday/No Regrets" guitar solo (which sounds to the untrained ear like a instrumental guitar duet but is just Rush alone working his special magic on both ends of the guitar frets masterfully). There isn't a 'dog" in the set, and if you want to get a good idea of what folkies are referring to when they talk about spellbinding singer/songwriter/artists, try on Mr. Rush and this CD. Nice to know that he is still around and still recording and singing, and that he also has a new "Greatest Hits" album, which is also quite good. I recommend that as well, though I must confess I prefer the version of "No Regrets" on this CD, as it is fresher, cleaner, and not so heavily orchestrated. This is the absolutely essential New England folk music album, the singular creative product of a talented home-grown New Hampshire boy who gravitated to the big city, graduated from Harvard University with a degree in English Literature even as he began his casual walk toward his special place in sixties folk history. Buy the CD, listen to it, and ENJOY! Believe me, you'll have 'no regrets', and no 'urge for going' anyplace but right here in front of your stereo listening to this timeless music."

This was new, I was young, no one sang the way Tom sung...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 03/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Late 60's, out of college, can afford an album a week, and can't decide between protest, rock or stuff you love that isn't either of those. That was Tom Rush and me for a couple of years. I liked all kinds of music, tried to own some of every genre, but "Circle Game" was a favorite and I wore my vinyl out. Part folk, part blues, a little bit country, even a little rock and pop flavor...this one had it all. He taught us who Joni Mitchell was before she could sell us records on her own...did the same for James Taylor, Jackson Browne and others. He found and elevated young songwriters of genius, sang well, played great guitar, took his time with the tunes. Rush balanced fun and melancholy, a beat and thoughtfulness, better than anyone else at that time. It is still a hugely enjoyable record, and worth owning if you like this kind of art. Tom moved from the Elektra label to Columbia shortly after this one came out, and sold more copies, but he never made a better album overall."

Take a walk with a great folkie

Ward J. Lamb | slate hill, new york United States | 12/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of Tom Rush for as long as I can remember him. His honest clean baritone is synominous with the late 60s early 70s feel. His versions of "The Circle Game" and "Urge for Going" are poetic and as great as the originals by the creative giant Joni Mitchell. He stands toe to toe with Eric Anderson and Miss Mitchell in elegant and earthy phrasing. I love folk music, and Tom Rush is one of the best. This LP(cd) is a landmark in the genre!It will always be fresh."