Story teller Tom Russell releases CD-epic about the Norwegian and Irish emigration to America

"The man from God knows where" is Kirkelig Kulturverksted's major release this winter.

With Kari Bremnes, Sondre Bratland, Irish singer Dolores Keane and American singers Iris DeMent and Dave Van Ronk as guest soloists, the famous artist and song writer Tom Russell takes the listener along on an incredible journey. It starts in 1810 and goes from the western coasts of Norway and Ireland across the Atlantic to New York, and then on through the Mid West to California. It follows Irish and Norwegian blood through generations until it ends in Tom's own person; citizen of today's USA and carrier of stories and secrets that are never told: Shocking truths about what "The American Dream" really cost countless nameless emigrants and their offspring.

During 74  minutes we are confronted with a gallery of people based on Tom Russell's own Norwegian-Irish family tree. They each have their song, their own unvarnished story to tell. It comes in the shape of a song cyclus or, as Tom himself likes to call this project, a "folk opera".

The band consists of Knut Reiersrud (guitar), Andrew Hardin (guitar), Annbjørg Lien (harding fiddle and harp), Eoin O'Riabhaigh (bagpipes and flute), Jørund Bøgeberg (bass) and Anders Engen (drums). The recordings were made at Baroniet Rosendal in Hardanger, Western Norway during September last year, and producer was Erik Hillestad.

"The man from God knows where" will be released in several countries during the first months of 1999. On 28. March the first stage version will be performed at the Vossajazz Festival in Voss, Norway.

Tom Russell, who now lives in El Paso in Texas, has had a long career as recording artist and song writer for other artists such as Nancy Griffith and Johnny Cash. He has strong ties with Norway, linked both by his family descent and through his longlasting contact with the Norwegian music scene, particularly in Oslo.

Track list:

1. The man from God knows where

2. Wayfarin' stranger

3. Patrick Russell

4. Mary Clare Malloy

5. The Outcaste 

6. Ambrose Larsen

7. The Dreamin'

8. The Old Northern Shore

9. The Man from God...

10. Anna Olsen

11. Rider on an orphan train

12. Acres of corn

13. The man from God...

14. Sitting bull in Venice

15. The old rugged cross

16. Anna Olsen's letter home

17. Eg er framad

18. When irish girls grow up

19. Casey Jones

20. Chicksaw County Jail

21. Wayfarin' Stranger

22. Throwin' horseshoes at the moon

23. The man from God...

24. The outcaste

25. Wayfarin' stranger

26. Love Abides