Russ Nasset | Human Tongue
Published: December 17, 2009
The gray-haired musicians still have it. Have a listen to one of Missoula’s best. Russ Nasset, he of coffee-ground inflections and fleet-fingered guitar muscle, has released a solo album that rings with authenticity.
Nasset has been making music in these parts for over 30 years, in various blues and rock bands. He was a founder of that great oldies band, the Latest Flames, and has been singing the blues better than anybody around for a long time. His band, the long-lived Russ Nasset and the Revelators, still packs ‘em in.
This new record is a departure for Nasset. It consists of blues and folk standards that he’s probably been singing awhile, and finally felt the need to record. He presents them unadorned – just voice and guitar. The good players aren’t afraid to put themselves out there, and Nasset acquits himself admirably on these 12 tunes.
He knows the styles, so great pickin’ abounds. He opens with the
traditional “Black Jack David” at a fast clip and with fine-grit sandpaper in his delivery. Next is Bob Dylan’s “Girl from the North Country.” It’s wistful and Nasset goes underground for those low notes.
There’s a loping gait to the classic, “Long Black Veil,” with its cool intro. “Drop Down Mama” is an up-tempo blues with lots of reverb-y vocals and features Nasset’s one accompanist – his son, Sam, who plays a stinging guitar break.
Nasset dives into Robert Johnson’s “Come on in My Kitchen” with abandon, opening with some gutteral “un-hunh’s” and nailing monster swampy guitar licks. There’s a gospel waltz, “Little Moses,” and the great folk song “Cuckoo Bird” resonates with a cantering lilt.
Nasset is in fine voice these days. He made lifestyle choices a few years back due to health problems, thereby smoothing out his serrated baritone.
He continues to wail and growl in live performances, and still puts the smoke in smoky. But on this album he chooses to understate his delivery, making the songs all the more powerful. Couple that with Richie Reinholdt’s fine production work, and you’re hearing a sonic gem.
– Mariss McTucker
