Luther Russell Explained

Luther Russell (born November 30, 1970) is an American musician who has been recording since 1991. He is the grandson of songwriter Bob Russell[1] and the grandnephew of songwriter Bud Green.

Career

At 17, Russell formed his first band called The Bootheels with Jakob Dylan, the son of Bob Dylan, later a member of the Wallflowers. The Bootheels also included drummer Aaron A. Brooks.

He was the lead singer/songwriter of the band, The Freewheelers,[2] who made two albums for DGC Records and American Recordings Company, respectively.

He went solo, starting with "Lowdown World" (1997),[3] "Down At Kit's"[4] (1999), and "Spare Change"[5] (2001) all recorded while living in Portland, Oregon. It was also in the northwest where Russell produced many independent records by such acclaimed artists as Richmond Fontaine and Fernando. Since moving back to his hometown of Los Angeles he has released his fourth solo record titled Repair,[6] which was produced by Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, The Jayhawks, and Ryan Adams). Russell and Johns also co-produced the debut album of singer Sarabeth Tucek.

Russell has worked with The Relationship featuring Brian Bell of Weezer, co-producing their albums and latest single. After producing albums and singles between 2007 and 2010 by artists including Noah And The Whale, Folks, Horse Stories, and many more, Russell released the critically acclaimed double-album, The Invisible Audience[7] (2011). He formed Those Pretty Wrongs[8] with Jody Stephens of Big Star. Their debut 7" was released in 2015 on Burger Records. Their debut LP came out on May 13, 2016 on the Ardent Music label.

Russell has traveled and performed extensively and shared the stage with acts such as Arthur Lee, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Etta James, Los Lobos, and Wilco.

Discography

The Freewheelers

Solo

Notes and References

  1. Bessman, Jim (8 January 2005). Russell's Songs Still 'Get Around' At ASCAP Fete, Billboard (magazine)
  2. Pareles, Jon (8 September 1991). "The New Season: The Annotated Calendar; Pop & Jazz", The New York Times ("THE FREEWHEELERS A chunky, down-home rock album steeped in the Band, from a group led by a raw-throated 19-year-old songwriter, Luther Russell. Sept. 17 (Geffen).")
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=gTFLAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Luther+Russell%22+%22lowdown+world%22 Lowdown World
  4. Web site: Down At Kit's - Luther Russell User Reviews AllMusic. AllMusic. 2016-02-07.
  5. Web site: Spare Change - Luther Russell Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic. AllMusic. 2016-02-07.
  6. Web site: Luther Russell - Repair. No Depression. 2007-05-31. 2016-02-07.
  7. Web site: The Quietus Reviews Luther Russell. The Quietus. 2016-02-07.
  8. Web site: Big Star's Jody Stephens Starts New Band Those Pretty Wrongs, Shares "Lucky Guy". Pitchfork. 2016-02-07. en-US.
  9. Web site: The Freewheelers - Freewheelers Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic. AllMusic. 2016-02-07.
  10. Web site: Waitin' for George - Freewheelers Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic. AllMusic. 2016-02-07.
  11. (31 July 2011). Luther Russell's 'invisible audience' should be heard, The Eagle-Tribune