Album Mini-review: Russ Tolman — Compass & Map
File next to: Dream Syndicate, late-period Byrds
True West swam in the rootsier, countrified end of the 1980s “paisley underground” pool. Once that band folded, founder-guitarist-singer Russ Tolman began a solo career; to date he’s released seven albums of new music and several singles. But most of that material was released in Europe and largely unavailable in the U.S. Compass & Map isn’t a greatest-hits collection – Tolman’s always been a semi-underground artist – but taken together, the 20 track on the disc sound a lot like one. Tolman’s sometimes wobbly vocals suit his jangling, often proto-Americana tunes, and quite a few of the songs rock, too. Almost certainly designed as a reintroduction of his work ahead of a new album schedule for release later this year, Compass & Map succeeds on that level as well as a collection of new (or new to most listeners) songs from this fine songwriter.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, will be published in December 2021 by HoZac Books.