Off topic: Russell Thornberry

BrunaZanelli

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Jul 7, 2002, 8:42:28 AM7/7/02

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Back in the 70s I bought an LP by Russell Thornberry because he reminded
me of Gord. 'One Morning Soon' was the LP. Have just found it again and the
Lightfoot influence is SOOOOO evident! Has anyone else ever heard of him?
Richard maybe?
Thornberry was a Texas boy who moved to Canada in the late 60s, for a while, at
least. I would be interested to hear if he is still singing, recording.
If anyone sees this album anywhere, buy it.
Bru

BrunaZanelli

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Jul 7, 2002, 9:18:48 AM7/7/02

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I forgot to mention - one or two tracks
are total rip-offs of GL songs ... but he
did admit to being influenced and
inspired by Lightfoot.
Bru

Richard Harison

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Jul 7, 2002, 9:20:28 AM7/7/02

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I had lunch with Russell in Edmonton in the 70s. His bassist on that album
was John Stockfish. He freely acknowledges his GL influence. He phased
himself out of the business and returned to his first love, naturalism. I
continue to sing "Things I Used to be" to this day.
--
All the Best,
Richard Harison
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BrunaZanelli

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Jul 7, 2002, 6:18:29 PM7/7/02

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>
>continue to sing "Things I Used to be" to this day.

Richard,
that's a favourite of mine too. Thanks
for the update - I had a feeling you
might know him.

Bru

staytuned

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Jul 7, 2002, 11:36:18 PM7/7/02

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Hey, Bru. That piece of vinyl is in my collection in a box somewhere. The
title track struck me as Thornberry's attempt to re-write If You Could Read
My Mind. The Music Box and Miss January could easily have passed off as
Lightfoot songs.

- Mel

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BrunaZanelli

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Jul 8, 2002, 4:40:22 AM7/8/02

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>The Music Box and Miss January could easily have passed off as
>Lightfoot songs.

Hi Mel,

How about the final track on the LP:
Eulogy to Mother Earth? Familiar?
But I still like him. :)

How you doing, Mel and are you
coming to Toronto?

Bru

quad...@gmail.com

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Nov 7, 2013, 9:24:16 AM11/7/13

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Roseline, which was on that album, was a hit in Canada. That song reminds me a bit of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne in terms of its lyrics - but, yes, the sound is like Gordon Lightfoot.

mich...@lfbc.net

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Nov 18, 2013, 11:51:25 PM11/18/13

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Hey there. This is Russell's daughter, Michelle. So nice to hear that folks still love his music. I know this is an old post, but I am chancing a reply anyways. He did record again, a collection of nutball songs, more along the lines of Ray Stevens. :) I guess aging gave him some levity. You can get his "Lonesome in the Saddle" project on iTunes or from www.cdbaby.com.
He became the editor of Buckmasters Whitetail Deer hunting magazine in Montgomery, Alabama but has retired back in Alberta, where he lives in the Caroline area. You can read up on his adventures at www.russellthornberry.com.

Both my brother, Darren and I, have followed in his footsteps and become musicians. You can give me a listen as well at www.barryandmichelle.com and hear my brother Darren's lovely tenor at http://www.reverbnation.com/whiskeyremedy. Forgive the shameless plug, but we will always ride on his coat tail. :)

Anyhow, he travels and performs all over North America and I am his booking agent, so if you ever have a hankering for some of his music, let me know. :)

Will Dockery

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Feb 23, 2014, 6:14:17 AM2/23/14

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Hello Michelle, I'm a pretty avid collector of "Folk Rock" work from that era, and many of the most obscure artists are among the greatest, Phil Ochs, David Blue, John Stewart... the recently rediscovered and brilliant Rodriguez,

I'm aware of some of Russel Thornberry, and what I know of it is very good... now that I have located you and your brother, I look forward to learning, and hearing, more!

Here's my Reverbnation link, but you'll be seeing that much sooner than this post. I look forward to hearing your music, and exploring the work of your father.

Will Dockery & The Shadowville All-Stars:
http://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery

LightByrd

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Feb 23, 2014, 4:19:50 PM2/23/14

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<mich...@lfbc.net> wrote in message
news:09d103a7-b8f9-42be...@googlegroups.com...

Hi Bru,
Don't often get back here anymore, as most have moved over to web based
Corfid.com
I never did make the move, as most topics there are not the kind to which I
could add anything informative based on my experience with Gordon.

I am quite familiar with and am an admirer of Russell. I have both "One
Morning Soon" and a previously recorded album as well.
He is a fine songwriter and guitarist with a lovely voice.
As far as sounding "like Gord" goes-- recall that one "One Morning Soon"
his bass player was John Stockfish and lead guitarist Bob Richardson was an
obvious disciple of Red.
So what!

I had the pleasure, back in the year (1973?) of having lunch with him in
Calgary, and I offered him tickets and a backstage pass, but he declined,
obviously conscious of the Gordon comparison. I tried to talk him out of
it, but could not.
And so it goes..................

--
Best Wishes,
Richard Harison

John Savard

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Oct 18, 2021, 1:34:48 AM10/18/21

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Rosaline, which got such an incredible amount of airplay in Canada, has _finally_
shown up on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMKmpsf3uKI

John Savard