Recent reviews:
OUTSIDE LEFT MAGAZINE
Review of live performance supporting Dwight Yoakam, 11-16-05 @ The Varisty Theatre, Baton Rouge
The opening act, Monty Russell, was my kind of roots rock, a brace of 50+ fat guys with a pleasant demeanor and great stories and chops that could Ginsu any upstart to shreds. His guitarist, introduced as General (Keith Patterson) alone was worth the price of admission, with his years of road work layered like summer hot asphalt on the stretched of Highway 61 the band sings about. Everyone in the place exclaimed to the person next to them, "That guitar player is f**king awesome!"
OFFBEAT
Louisiana and New Orleans' Music Resource Magazine
Album Review, January 2006, The Fool Monty Russell
Decked out in baggy pants, drab black jacket and Buddy Holly glasses, Monty Russell looks every bit the antithesis of the slick, polished, Nashville-groomed country star. Perhaps that's a reflection of his style which is also antithetical to the sounds being cranked out today along "Music Row." But what this grandson of Leon Russell from Ruston, Louisiana has going for him is the same thing the pioneers of the genre had going for them: pure, raw talent. Russell's guitar and vocal style is reminiscent of his musical forefathers. For fans of roots C&W it's a refreshing change of pace from all the sound-alike male country performers on today's scene. This Nashville-recorded CD is well-crafted, complete with the requisite roots C&W components pedal steel guitar, fiddles, and accordion. Twelve of the thirteen tracks feature original lyrics that demonstrate great creativity and imagination. With strains of Cajun and blues influence sprinkled throughout, Monty Russell has turned out a great effort.
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS
John Godspeed
June 2005 Column promoting performance with the Ace In the Hole Band, New Braunfels, TX
Then there's honky tonk filtered through Louisiana bayous in the form of Monty Russell and the Hardcore Troubadours. Russell, a former Ruston, LA, police officer and a singing-songwriting road dog in that neck of the woods is touring in support of his sophomore release, The Fool Monty Russell, a stick- to-your-ribs stew of country, swing, blues, cajun, and even a dash of Dixieland and Tex-Mex. Try a taste.
EL DORADO ARKANSAS NEWS TIMES
Roderick Harrington
July 1, 2005 Review of LA Peach Festival performance supporting Marcia Ball
Equally impressive as Marcia Ball was Monty Russell and the Hardcore Troubadours, who opened for Ball. Russell and the three guys who back him (especially the wonderful talent of The General on guitar) are wonderful live. Russell's originals are exactly that, original. They don't sound like anyone else's and each one is different form the others. He's a wonderful songwriter, performer, and vocalist.
MONROE LA NEWS STAR
Fred Phillips
May 26, 2005 album review of "The Fool Monty Russell"
The album opens with the boogie-woogie sounds of "Slammin' Doors,'" which is exactly the kind of country I'm talking about. Over the course of the 13 songs on the album I found myself tapping my toes and humming along more than a few times. It could be just my bias toward the faster numbers, but Russell seems to me best when he's singing about having a good time. The Jerry Lee Lewis flavored "Picasso" is a perfect example. That said, he can score on more heartfelt, but still rocking, "Lovin' On." Like all good country music, Russell's songs are based in real life. This is never more apparent than on my favorite track on the album "Peter Filed Chapter 13." When I first popped this cd in my truck player, I'd had a rough day at work and was looking at the prospect of paying bills that night. When Russell sang "I've robbed Peter to pay Paul so many times, Peter filed Chapter 13," it gave me a much needed laugh. Russell also shows off some tasty blues stylings on the album closer "The Next Hurricane." If you've seen Russell live around the area, the album delivers exactly what you expect. It's very traditional country, yet mixes a variety of styles, and most importantly, it's a lot of fun.
Monty come by and check out David St Romain's new single "That's Love". David is doing great with this single its on the new and noteworthy page on iTunes so give it a listen. He also has a great video for it on his site!
(retired )Capt. Denny and Donna Taylor Many of you that know this man, will know him as an entertainer, singer/songwriter. Some of you may owe him a debt gratitude for helping fight fire on your property or save a life in a burning house. I know him as a dear friend who is fighting a serious illness. Denny (in the last years with Donna on harmonica) Taylor and I have played in and out of bands together since the mid 70's . Watch for bulletins in Myspace and notices in Facebook for deatails of the benefit in the works to help these wonderful folks with the mounting bills . Stan
You needc to be iving the heads up in advance when you're going to be in Baton Rouge so I can take a ride over there. Better yet, you need to play some shows in New Orleans! Tell Ms. Nettie and Josh HI from me.. Love you guys.
Hey, Mon-TY! Sure enjoyed hearing you at the V.I.P. in Orange Beach. My computer has been to the doctor. :( But I'm back up and running. Wrote 3 new songs since I've seen you! Hope you're doing well. Love and music, lk.
Hosted By: Spirits Food and Friends When: Wednesday Jan 14, 2009 at 7:30 PM Where Spirits Food and Friends 1260-H Texas Avenue Alexandria, Louisiana|19 71301 United States Description: Spirits Food and Friends
Driven by the blues along the Mississippi River Delta and in the Red River roadhouses; the rocking honky tonk sounds of Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, and Johnny Horton born at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport in the 1940’s and ‘50’s; the funky second line and Dixieland sounds of the New Orleans Street Bands; the soulful swamp sounds of Tony Joe White; the Cajun and zydeco sounds from Acadiana; the western swing floating in across the border from Texas; and the driving rockabilly sounds of Cash, Elvis, and the “Killer” that broke out in the 50’s and 60’s, a singer-songwriter born and raised in Louisiana can’t help but toss all those influences into one big iron pot to create a musical gumbo that’s uniquely Louisiana.
