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The gospel of Russ Taff
Every once in a while I plumb the depths of my own ignorance. This morning, goofing around when I have way too much to do to justify goofing around, I followed a link to YouTube, and then decided to see what Crooked Still video might be up, and then clicked, by accident, on a version of "Ain't No Grave" by a gospel singer name of Russ Taff.
Some of you are laughing at me already. Taff has been around a good while (he's in his mid-50s), has cut eight or ten albums for various Christian labels, and one for Reprise, features on the Gaither Homecoming series (all homework quickly done once one has the name and the motivation). Just another reminder that we still live behind walls of our own making, even those of us who seek to keep our doors open most of the time.
I have a fascination with gospel which I shan't roll around in just now, for I haven't time to try once again to figure out why a relentlessly secular fellow like me adores the passion of great gospel. Bags must be packed. Laundry folded. Garbage tossed. Time presses. I delay. But I do trip past the TV preachers and the gospel shows on PBS and stop to listen, now and again. Most of the music is as artificial as the hair. But not all of it. The Gaithers, for example, can flat sing.
This guy, Russ Taff? Sweet Jesus, he can sing. Take a listen, especially those of you who don't believe a church can be rocked. And I'd be obliged if somebody knew his recorded catalog well enough to point me to an album or two which rock this hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3k-siqVp34
Posted by grant on January 9, 2008 9:15 AM | Permalink
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Comments
Hello Grant Sir,
I hear the Blues in the latest Russ Taff record, especially in "Until I Found The Lord". If you like the music of Russ Taff, Mike Farris, I think would spark an interest. I think the roots of all music are still being planted. I don't think the color of our skin, should judge the content of our character, or music, if I may borrow some words from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blues, Country, Rock, Rap,etc... should only come in cellophane, and not be branded in any form. Blues can be anger, Rap can be blues. Both can be hope. I hope that music listeners find the music they like through music, not corporate trends and branding. Music is a release, a bridge, a sacred place for the soul.
Posted by: Scott M. Anderson | January 9, 2008 1:30 PM
I would highly recommend 1990's "The Way Home" or "Under Their Influence." His last solo one was good too, little heavier on the preaching, though.
Posted by: C. Eric Banister | January 10, 2008 11:31 AM
I believe "Ain't No Grave" is from "Under the Influence" which is probably the best record of his that I've heard (though I mostly abandoned my CCM listening days long ago). He also did a pretty nice authentically retro (as in 40's/50's sounding) Christmas album.
I liked "The Way Home" at the time, but my guess is it was probably overproduced as most CCM of the time was (still is?)
Posted by: Jason Burton | January 15, 2008 4:53 PM