Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan

Few singers can construct a song as well as Claudia Russell, and her sharp, well-observed lyrics, have an engaging timeless feel. She’s also a hell of a singer. Russell has made some fine discs in her career. This new one is an important release – it’s close to perfect and very entertaining!” – Paul Riley - Country Music People (UK)

Whether fashioning a warm-hearted childhood recollection or relaying varied scenes from the grown-up world of love, Ms. Russell imbues each offering here with vivid visuals, convincing emotion and melodic instincts that match a persona more often cheerful than not. Splendid, primarily acoustic backup is highlighted with touches of mandolin and viola. Russell and partner Bruce Kaplan co-wrote the totally charming openers, “Pirate Girls” and the title track. The Ann Peebles r&b classic, “I Can’t Stand The Rain”, retrofit in folk-rock regalia, is a nice surprise. – Duane Verh - Roots Music Report ★★★★★

All Our Luck Is Changing is a masterpiece! Though everything Claudia’s done solo or with others has been great, sparked by the singular charm of her sweet voice and pure spirit, this is the best yet. With Peter Case at the helm and a new batch of beautifully realized songs, this is everything that is great about her and more. Her singing has never been more poignant or confident, and these songs come to life with an effortless spirit of genuine soul. This is heartwarming stuff, both inspirational and comforting at a time we need inspiration and comfort more then ever.
– Paul Zollo Read the full review here. - American Songwriter

ÒClaudia Russell is a great performer...And her band. LetÕs just say theyÕre hot. Connect them to the power grid and theyÕd light up a medium-sized townÉThis CD is as musically solid as they come and in the world of obligatory live CDs, Live Band Tonight shines.Ó
--Rich Warren, Syndicated DJ, The Midnight Special - Sing Out magazine, Fall 07

"Singer-songwriter Claudia Russell is a vocalist in the old-fashioned sense. She can really sing. Not only does she have an impressive set of pipes, she interprets songs rather than merely convey the lyrics. [Her latest 2nd CD,] "Ready to Receive" is a professional work of strong musicality delivered by a superior voice in the crowded field of singer-songwriters." - Rich Warren, Sing Out Magazine

By: Ben Ohmart (Assistant Editor)

The elusive Element X is difficult to figure out. Claudia certainly has the fluttering voice of a country star (and I do mean Star) and the ornamentation of bluegrass, but also there is jazz, pop, rock, easy listening (adult contemporary, if you like) in the gist of the disc. Yet like any good smelling perfume, the secret is in the secret ingredient. YOU tell ME what it is.

'I Second That Emotion' is a classic that's been dusted off plenty of times, but this is first bluegrass-like ballad version I've ever heard! Andy Ratliff's sporty, never-overworked banjo and Claudia Russell's own acoustic guitar make this into a version never perceived in The Big Chill. Claudia's smooth country voice ebbs in and out of the bluegrass arrangement like the one good girl in a whorehouse.

Speaking of Dolly Parton, Claudia has that kind of voice, a little lower than our big blonde friend, with a slight trill and a hopping, confident stride into all areas of southern comfort. 'Whiskey Walk' is much like country jazz, if there were such a dominating genre. A blues piano (thanks, Rob Strickland), a cool electric guitar from Eric Lewis, all held together with Kevin Sheahan lite walking bass, and of course Claudia is her usual, standard, brilliant self.

In short, quite the last kind of music you might expect from the offspring of a 1930s BBC Dance Orchestra vocalist (who's hit 'The Teddy Bear's Picnic' is known to all Goon Show fans, thank you), and a professional dancer (see mom in flicks like White Christmas and An American in Paris). However Claudia got into western beauty of songs like 'Tall Blue Candle' is hard to fathom. But those self-penned tracks show off the quiet strength of Ms. Russell's gentle bag of soul and song.

Her pick of instrumentation is a huge part of the greatness of this 40 minute piece of peace. Mandolin, violin, organ, accordion, acoustics, plug-ins; it's the sort of thing that could wind up in several different bins in the record store, the dominant section being the folk/acoustic setting.

Bottom line: well-produced kinda country, variety-heavy, fun-oriented, star quality voice, veering more toward the positive than the negative pole. - MusicDish.com

Watching Russell and her Folk Unlimited Orchestra is like taking a cross-country trip in a gleaming Airstream trailer, traversing the vast American landscape, stopping at wondrous musical landmarks along the way. The band might kick off with some So Cal style Folk Rock, head south for some accordion fueled border town folk, travel onto Buddy Holly’s Lubbock Texas for some retro rock, then sweat their way through some hot Louisiana cajun, head up into Nashville county, and make their way into Kentucky for a Bluegrass run. Then its onto a pit stop for some St. Louis Blues and beeline to New England for some sincere singer songwriter folk.

Lesser singers might stumble, or sound fake and uninspired. But Russell and her band possess an uncanny ability to get behind each song and make it their own, so the segues sound natural and the changes in style work to reveal different sides of a strong musical personality.

You might think that a singer as powerful as Russell would play The Diva on stage. But just the opposite. Rather, Russell assumes a sort of latter day Gracie Allen character - a little dizzy - while husband/mandolin player Bruce Kaplan plays the George Burns role. Their banter is often hilarious and they seem to take pleasure in trying to make each other laugh. So, as the two take the music seriously, they donÕt take themselves. The in-between comedy is a nice bonus that helps endear Russell and Kaplan to the audience. - Mike Rossney, Sargentsville Courier

A veteran of Los Angeles's independent music scene, Claudia Russell boasts a musical pedigree that includes sharing the stage with such notable songwriters as Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and (hold on to your hats) Mickey Dolenz. Russell is also the daughter of the late renowned vocal coach Gilbert Russell, who instructed stars like Natalie Wood, Beau Bridges, and Dyan Cannon in the fine art of singing.

Small wonder, then, that it's Russell's voice that stands out most on this aptly titled indie release. Expressive, tremulous, and evidencing just the slightest hint of twang, Russell's vocals often bring to mind the Nashville pop of the late '50s and early '60s. Music-wise, Song Food revels in an eclectic mix of styles that includes sprite western swing, country blues, and (mostly) straight-up folk pop. Fleshed out with rootsy instrumentation that includes dashes of mandolin, viola, and National slide guitar, Russell's compositions (and the CD's cover songs, as well) resonate more deeply with each listen. High points include Russell's own "Dance" (All She Wanted to Do), the spunky "Until I Got You in My Arms," and a Delta blues reworking of the folk classic, "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down." - Performing Songwriter Magazine

Berkeley's own Claudia Russell is a smoky-voiced thrush able to deliver a cosmopolitan lounge blues or a bluegrass romp with equal aplomb. Her second self-produced CD, Ready to Receive, is earning rave reviews and national airplay. She also is a fine guitar picker and songwriter, with tunes like "Oh California" and "Just Like You" sounding like ready-made Americana hits. Ð j. poet, East Bay Express - East Bay Express Reader's Poll

"Russell has a light, almost fragile voice that is made for folk music. She breaks hearts with such numbers as "Kathy's Song," playing the guitar as she sings."


Full Text:
'Old Friends' makes Simon songs new again
By Elaine Schmidt

Last Updated: Dec. 12, 1999

The music of Paul Simon is as much a part of the last four decades of this century as denim and acoustic guitars.

That music, and the memories it evokes, are at the heart of the Stackner Cabaret's current production of "Old Friends." Devised by James Kaplan and Jeffrey Herbst and produced in collaboration with the American Folklore Theatre, the show is an evening of Paul Simon's songs. Directed by Kaplan, with musical arrangements and musical direction by Herbst, the show features Michael Messer, Claudia Russell and Kurt Ziskie.

Tinkering with the music of Paul Simon, particularly with tunes that have been etched into our brains by decades of hearing the inimitable sounds of Simon and Garfunkel, is touchy stuff. We know how these songs were sung down to the slightest nuances.

Kaplan and Herbst wisely avoided comparisons to those familiar performances by writing the show for three singer/entertainers, one of them a woman. Even the most familiar of Simon's tunes get a fresh take in the hands of this trio, or members thereof, singing Kaplan's arrangements. The more obscure tunes are a delight to hear.

Messer, Russell and Ziskie are not cast into roles in this production. Instead they are onstage as themselves, interpreting Simon's music as they cozy up to the audience. They are a trio of talented musicians, accompanying themselves on guitars, bass, harmonicas and various hand-held percussion instruments as they sing.

The three singers seem at first to be an oddly matched group of performers. Ziskie is slightly reserved onstage, giving earnest deliveries with a polished voice and accompanying the songs on guitar. Messer is an animated performer, breezily toying with the audience, with the tunes and with his colleagues as he sings and plays guitar, bass and harmonica.

Russell has a light, almost fragile voice that is made for folk music. She breaks hearts with such numbers as "Kathy's Song," playing the guitar as she sings.

Although the three may seem at first glance to be a bad match, they balance and support each other onstage, creating a camaraderie that suits this feel-good music to a tee.

The singers appear in front of a selective New York skyline that is dotted with catch-phrases from Simon's lyrics. They are dressed in casual, slightly bohemian street clothes. They weave Simon's well-worn tunes into an evening of comfortably familiar entertainment. By the final number it is apparent that the old friends in the show are these now-classic tunes.

Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Dec. 13, 1999.
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Claudia's voice draws you into a song and keeps you there. Whether she is singing folk, country, blues or pop, you know you are going to get a soulful, satisfying musical ride. - David Holt, Grammy winner

"Russell has a light, almost fragile voice that is made for folk music. She breaks hearts with such numbers as "Kathy's Song," playing the guitar as she sings."


Full Text:
'Old Friends' makes Simon songs new again
By Elaine Schmidt

Last Updated: Dec. 12, 1999

The music of Paul Simon is as much a part of the last four decades of this century as denim and acoustic guitars.

That music, and the memories it evokes, are at the heart of the Stackner Cabaret's current production of "Old Friends." Devised by James Kaplan and Jeffrey Herbst and produced in collaboration with the American Folklore Theatre, the show is an evening of Paul Simon's songs. Directed by Kaplan, with musical arrangements and musical direction by Herbst, the show features Michael Messer, Claudia Russell and Kurt Ziskie.

Tinkering with the music of Paul Simon, particularly with tunes that have been etched into our brains by decades of hearing the inimitable sounds of Simon and Garfunkel, is touchy stuff. We know how these songs were sung down to the slightest nuances.

Kaplan and Herbst wisely avoided comparisons to those familiar performances by writing the show for three singer/entertainers, one of them a woman. Even the most familiar of Simon's tunes get a fresh take in the hands of this trio, or members thereof, singing Kaplan's arrangements. The more obscure tunes are a delight to hear.

Messer, Russell and Ziskie are not cast into roles in this production. Instead they are onstage as themselves, interpreting Simon's music as they cozy up to the audience. They are a trio of talented musicians, accompanying themselves on guitars, bass, harmonicas and various hand-held percussion instruments as they sing.

The three singers seem at first to be an oddly matched group of performers. Ziskie is slightly reserved onstage, giving earnest deliveries with a polished voice and accompanying the songs on guitar. Messer is an animated performer, breezily toying with the audience, with the tunes and with his colleagues as he sings and plays guitar, bass and harmonica.

Russell has a light, almost fragile voice that is made for folk music. She breaks hearts with such numbers as "Kathy's Song," playing the guitar as she sings.

Although the three may seem at first glance to be a bad match, they balance and support each other onstage, creating a camaraderie that suits this feel-good music to a tee.

The singers appear in front of a selective New York skyline that is dotted with catch-phrases from Simon's lyrics. They are dressed in casual, slightly bohemian street clothes. They weave Simon's well-worn tunes into an evening of comfortably familiar entertainment. By the final number it is apparent that the old friends in the show are these now-classic tunes.

Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Dec. 13, 1999.
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel