
Tony Russell
A music historian and critic, Tony Russell has written about blues, country, jazz and other American musics for MOJO, The Guardian and many specialist magazines. He has also acted as a consultant on several TV documentaries, and been nominated for a Grammy three times for his authorship (with Ted Olson) of the books accompanying the Bear Family boxed sets. He is the author of Blacks, Whites and Blues (1970), The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray (1997) and Country Music Originals: The Legends and the Lost (2007).
Latest articles by Tony Russell

How Jimmie Rodgers changed the face of popular music – and built a song franchise in the process
By Tony Russell published
Nearly 100 years ago, Jimmie Rodgers wired a connection between the blues and country music with a guitar, some jokes and a yodel

Who did the best version of Baby Please Don't Go?
By TONY RUSSELL published
From Mississippi to Northern Ireland to Australia, this classic has inspired musicians from around the world. But can the original be beaten?

T-Bone Walker: Great Blues Vocals & Guitar/I Get So Weary + Singing The Blues
By TONY RUSSELL published
Monumental early recordings by the architect of modern blues guitar.

Neal Black & Larry Garner: Guilty Saints (Dixiefrog)
By TONY RUSSELL published
Another Euro-American collaboration for Louisiana veteran Larry Garner.

Cuttin' Heads: Pony Blues
By TONY RUSSELL published
Charley Patton’s equine tale has inspired generations of blues singers, but can we separate the lame nags from the thoroughbreds?

Magic Sam Blues Band: Black Magic
By TONY RUSSELL published
An expanded reissue of Sam’s second album, from 1969.

Cuttin' Heads: Please Set A Date
By TONY RUSSELL published
Memphis Minnie vs Elmore James vs Erja Lyytinen

Blues Collector: Memphis Jug Band/Cannon’s Jug Stompers
By TONY RUSSELL published
The Jug Bands Volume One (Natchez NEP 701)

Jimmy Rogers: Chicago Bound
By Tony Russell published
The complete 50s singles of an architect of Chicago blues.

Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames: Slip Into A Dream
By Tony Russell published
Chicago guitarist and one-time sidekick of Lil’ Ed Williams.

Memphis Minnie: Keep On Goin’ 1930–1953
By Tony Russell published
A revealing wide-angle snapshot of one of the great blueswomen.

Whose version of Little Red Rooster is better: Howlin' Wolf's or the Stones'?
By TONY RUSSELL published
It’s the song that has ruffled feathers from the moment it first appeared, but did The Rolling Stones or Howlin' Wolf create version of has the most to crow about?

Album Review: Sunnyland Slim
By TONY RUSSELL published
Slim’s Shout + Chicago Blues Session (SOUL JAM)

Various Artists Wait For Me
By TONY RUSSELL published
Romance and recrimination, etched in the grooves of rare 78s.

Cuttin' Heads: Sonny Boy Williamson V The Yardbirds
By TONY RUSSELL published
Sonny Boy Williamson's tale of playground love was transformed to fit swinging London by The Yardbirds. But which version is top of the class?

Cuttin' Heads: Muddy Waters vs Heritage Blues Orchestra
By TONY RUSSELL published
A down-by-the-river country standard about casting a rod competes with Chicago electric blues and swing-dance. Which version is catch of the day?

Lightnin' Hopkins – Mojo Hand + Blues In My Bottle
By TONY RUSSELL published
Two contrasting albums from the early 60s by the Texas bluesman

Chris James & Patrick Rynn – Trouble Don't Last
By TONY RUSSELL published
Downhome blues dragged thrillingly up to speed.

Various Artists – The Rough Guide To The Blues Songsters
By TONY RUSSELL published
The curtains drawn back on the music that came before the blues.

Snooks Eaglin: New Orleans Street Singer/That’s All Right
By TONY RUSSELL published
Timeless recordings of a singer and guitarist who astonished 60s blues fans.

Omar Coleman: Born & Raised
By TONY RUSSELL published
A harmonica player and singer in the great Chicago tradition.

Cuttin' Heads - Blind Lemon versus Lou Reed
By TONY RUSSELL published
A blues about death first recorded in 1927, and then taken for a walk on the wild side in 2003. But which version is the buried treasure?
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