Rene Russell: Press

Few forces in music are as easy to enjoy or as difficult to deny as the presence of a powerful female lead vocalist. The mesmerizing strength and sheer confidence can change the face of an entire genre, particularly in the mostly male-dominated formats of rock and country. With the awesome grace and energy or a female lead, then, it's no wonder that singer/songwriter Rene Russell has been able to hold her own for the past 18 years. A talented guitarist with an incredible voice and far more than simple rock sensibility in her writing, Rene Russell has seen success on both coasts of the USA and even popularity in more central spots like the great state of Texas. With a tremendous style that can only be described as a marriage of country rock and rock & roll, Rene takes her musical ideas in directions that few performers have been able to in recent times. Armed with a 12-string Taylor guitar, an indomitable voice, and self-titled, 10-track album, this sophisticated siren can burn up a stage or a stereo with the best of seasoned veterans and well-known acts.

Opening with the up-tempo and cerebral-sounding Perfection, Rene's album is immediately reminiscent of Stevie Nicks' work with Fleetwood Mac, combining a rumbling Texas-style bass undercarriage and Rene's own trademark riffs dancing on top of the beat with the driving intensity and hard-hitting drum figures of country rock. While having a great deal in common, interpretively, with Nicks, Rene adds her own flavor to a similar style, throwing in sultry growls and vocal climaxes that seem to direct the development of the song, independent of the other instruments. The slower, more soulful Choices gives Rene an opportunity to lay real sensuality into her singing, drawing out every syllable with precision, and stringing listeners along the cool, almost nostalgic melody from start to finish. Covering more than her fair share of instrumental roles on the solo album with her 12-string Taylor, this songstress owns every inch of the product of this CD, her writing and silky-but-strong vocals giving the music a personality of its own and an intelligence that sets her apart from the rest of the pack.

Dazzling audiences for the past 18 years from Nashville to San Diego, Atlanta to Austin, Texas, Rene Russell not only writes her own material, but performs it with the passion and precision only a dedicated solo artist is capable of. Now residing in her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, Rene has made her mark on the music industry, sharing the stage with performers such as the Indigo Girls, Tom Chapin, and the Ellen James Society. The power of her voice and her incredible presence in front of an audience could easily fit her onto any stage, and keep her level with any other artist.

Rene Russell's incredible voice and unique skills on the 12-string guitar compliment her passionate writing perfectly, giving her not only the ability to perform her material, but, truly, the ability to bring an audience to its knees or to its feet on her own. The driving power of the ghostly, but upbeat Night-Mare and Too Late, contrasted with the easy-going style of Just Because and Home show Rene's versatility, not only in performing, but in her remarkably intelligent composition, as well. Rene Russell's 10-track CD is a tremendous example of musicianship, and comes through in a format that any music fan can appreciate. This record makes a great addition to any collection, and should not be passed up by any listener looking for a musical experience that only an artist of Rene's caliber can provide.

Rene Russell's self-titled album is currently available for sale at her website (www.cdbaby.com) or by contacting her via e-mail renerussell@renerussell.com.

ACOUSTIC-ROCK/ RENE RUSSELL
Rene Russell can handle almost any musical request. The singer/guitarist has nearly two decades worth of live performances under her belt, from Nashville, to Texas to Charleston. In recent years, she's won the adoration of local audiences with her technical proficiency on the 12-string, her versatility, and her warm singing style. She can make the transition from a U2 pop hit to an Eagles twanger to a Melissa Etheridge anthem with ease. "This is my third summer at Morgan Creek," Russell says. "It's an older crowd most of the time, but people of all ages come by and check out the music...kids and grandkids. Many request songs that are in my genre, but sometimes they'll ask for something I don't technically know__if I kind of know the music and they know some of the words, we'll just do it together. That's memorable for them. It's a big, fun, casual thing. I'm not on a big stage. People can come right up and talk to me. It's just a big party, really." Russell play regularly at Morgan Creek Grill at 80 41st Ave. on Isle of Palms. Showtime is 7pm.

The Cowgirl's Oasis has begun to host female performers on the weekend nights. I was privileged to attend the first of these hostings. Very privileged. Rene Russell was the first guest performer, and if any of you read my article about the Lone Star Women's Festival, you may remember that I raved about Rene's performance there.

Rene Russell's performance was even better than I remembered. I was worried that she might not be as good as I remembered, perhaps it was just the glamour of the festival and sleep deprivation that was coloring my memory. Wrong!

The one word that I would use to describe Rene Russell is powerful. She has a powerful voice. Whether it is throbbing with emotion, growling, or seductively mesmerizing, it reaches out and grabs something--both vital and visceral. She has a wide repertoire, but her best songs are those she herself has written, although when she performed Bobby McGee I heard the comment that she could be Janis reborn. Her performance is intensely personal and intimate.

Her personality too, is powerful. It comes across both on stage and off, and has a tremendous impact on her music. She performed solo with some technical support consisting of an electronic equivalent of the theatre's 'deus ex machina'. Anybody know Latin for "band in a box"?

Anyway, it was pretty impressive. Gadgetry aside, the performance was outstanding. She had some of her newly released disks for sale, and for those who missed the performance, I believe Caroline purchased some extra disks. I'm already looking forward to her next one.

If someone tells you about the latest "overnight" sensation on the music-scene, don't believe a word of it. Most musicians who are serious about their vocation work long and hard just to get to the point where they can support themselves solely with their music. Those who don't put in the hours before attaining mass recognition are likely to fade out of sight as fast as they appeared.
For further proof of this musical truism, ask former Columbia native Rene Russell, who was getting noticed here five years ago for her winning combination of heat-felt, impassioned vocals and proficient 12-string acoustic guitar technique.
Since leaving Columbia, Rene has spent time in Atlanta, Georgia, and her current home base, Austin, Texas, playing every bar and restaurant she could find that would let her.
"I was working a lot, but wasn't very organized about it," explains Rene. "Now, I feel like I'm starting over again, with the new CD, and more focus on my own songs." The new album, a self-titled one on Texas based Verge Records, is indeed a major step forward for Rene. Her songwriting never a weak point in her performances, has been honed to a sharp edge by her years of playing solo shows, and the full band arrangements on the disc make the most of the quality material.
"Most of the songs on the album are taken directly from my own life," she says. "they are definitely more mature songs." One in particular, "We Live & Breathe," is, as Rene claims," the story of my life, of being gay, and all of the difficulty that adds to the already tough task of growing up." Her position of hope and tolerance for all is
espoused beautifully and succinctly in the song's chorus, "We live and breathe, we die, we fall in love. There is no difference when you're looking through the eyes of love." Like Melissa Etheridge, another openly gay woman rocker, Russell's lyrical references
can be taken however the listener chooses.
"Most songs, there's maybe one line that might mean something to someone who was gay," Rene says. "If you weren't looking for it, you probably wouldn't even notice. It doesn't have to be a gay thing." Indeed,
Russell's songs are best enjoyed as purely musical things.
With Sheryl Crow, the aforementioned Melissa Etheridge, and others in an ever increasing field of women performers out there already, one wonders if its too much of a good thing.
"Too many female artists shouldn't hurt my chances," Rene says hopefully. The current crop of female performers are both inspiration and challenges to Russell.
"It's nice to have more women performers out there," she admits. "Joan Osborne is the one I'm really into right now - her whole album is great."
Somewhere, someday soon, another musician will undoubtedly be saying something similar about Rene Russell.

It's been two years since singer/songwriter Rene Russell played in her hometown, so she's looking forward to sharing some new songs with old friends when she arrives in Columbia next week.

Russell now lives in the music friendly city of Austin, Texas, where she recently recorded a self-titled compact disc that features her working with a full band.
"We did it all live in the studio, with no overdubbing." She said during a phone call earlier this week. "We were all in there playing at the same time, so it feels more like a live album."

A fine writer and accomplished 12-string acoustic guitarist, Russell said she has more success when she plays and sings at the same time in the studio.

"I don't sing the same when I'm not playing the guitar," she said. "So if I have to stand and just sing to a microphone, I don't get as much emotion and feel and stuff. It doesn't come off anywhere close to what I normally do."

Russell's new album contains 10 original songs, three from previous recordings. It was recorded in four days with Billy Stull producing.

Russell said competition is fierce among musicians in Austin, but she's landed gigs at places like Maggie Mae's, Cafezino, the Filling Station and Fat Tuesdays. Her visit to Columbia is part of a three-week tour that will take her from Texas to New Orleans and Virginia and back to the Lone Star State.