Maxwell Russell and The Shakedown Kings
Florence, Alabama, United States | SELF
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some recordings i have played on outside of my own music. - Front Porch recordings
Maxwell D. Russell –Alabama Moon
Review by Emily Clarke
Ahh. The sweet sounds of country. Bless Maxwell D Russell. His singing is sometimes a bit thin but regardless, this album is a gentle, well played record, perfectly suited to drinking beer on your imaginary porch. Baby Blues, despite being a cringe-worthy love song, has truly tender slide on it that doesn't attempt to assault your ears.
Russell evades the stigma of ‘"must slide, must slide loud"’in favour of calm ramblings. Can't Drink the Water is a bit of a jumping hoedown, which provides sweet respite before the seedy blues of The Old Man Was Right. Take back what I said about the vocals on this one, he's whining like a good boy, and curling his voice up to shrill notes with ease.
Alabama Moon is quite a naked record. The sounds is modest, and pictures of Russell teetering on his chair playing his steel guitar are the perfect companion to your basic but genuine laments of deep south blues. In The Doghouse Now is not, as you might expect a carbon copy of In The Jailhouse Now, but altogether pleasantly rhythmic and slippery song.
Russell's album is an accomplishment; I think he's quite an honest man, with a good sense of how he plays - he doesn't ever howl above his mark I mean. Try it –you might like it. Just get ready to book your ticket to Alabama. - Blues In London
on line magazine. shoals area.world wide. - Richard Mc Culley
interview online radio jeff classic popka. - jeff classic popka
hh. The sweet sounds of country. Bless Maxwell D Russell. His singing is sometimes a bit thin but regardless, this album is a gentle, well played record, perfectly suited to drinking beer on your imaginary porch. Baby Blues, despite being a cringe-worthy love song, has truly tender slide on it that doesn't attempt to assault your ears.
Russell evades the stigma of ‘"must slide, must slide loud"’in favour of calm ramblings. Can't Drink the Water is a bit of a jumping hoedown, which provides sweet respite before the seedy blues of The Old Man Was Right. Take back what I said about the vocals on this one, he's whining like a good boy, and curling his voice up to shrill notes with ease.
Alabama Moon is quite a naked record. The sounds is modest, and pictures of Russell teetering on his chair playing his steel guitar are the perfect companion to your basic but genuine laments of deep south blues. In The Doghouse Now is not, as you might expect a carbon copy of In The Jailhouse Now, but altogether pleasantly rhythmic and slippery song.
Russell's album is an accomplishment; I think he's quite an honest man, with a good sense of how he plays - he doesn't ever howl above his mark I mean. Try it –you might like it. Just get ready to book your ticket to Alabama. - Blues In London
Discography
SOLO ACOUSTIC ALBUM "ONCE IT GETS IN YOUR BONES"
ACOUSTIC BAND ALBUM "ALABAMA MOON"
THE SHAKEDOWN KINGS " ONE STEP FROM THE BLUES"
ALL INDEPENDENT AND SELF PROMOTED.
MORE ON THE WAY!!!
Photos
Bio
Maxwell Russell was born and raised in northwest Alabama. He grew up in the Colbert County area, a region which has had its share of music greats. It is home to Muscle Shoals Sound, Fame and other famous, ground breaking studios. It is also the hometown of Blues legend W.C. Handy. Maxwell has been playing the guitar since he was a youngster but started his journey in the "business" at the age of 26, forming bands along the way and playing his originals at gigs. He writes music ranging from Country ballads and Country rockers to Blues and Jazz numbers and old time Rock ‘n’ Roll. His music is influenced by old school Delta music, Slide, Boogie, Shuffles, Swing and old Rock ‘n’ Roll. He plays songs by the likes of Howling Wolf, Ike Turner, Muddy Waters, Carl Perkins and newer artists like Tony Joe White and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name a few. Max has played mainly throughout the southeast for festivals and clubs. In 2006, he entered and won first place in a Blues band competition in Birmingham, Alabama and was sent to Memphis for the IBC competition. He has two independent albums and one live recording of solo Delta Blues music which will be released soon. He is working with his band The Shakedown Kings...a group of seasoned players from in and around the Muscle Shoals area. Max is still hammering away at the clubs with his band,and playing his acoustic blues.
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