An interview with veteran folk and blues singer Tom Rush was featured on a special edition of Greasy Tracks on Oct. 15.
The program also included music from across Rush’s career which is now in its sixth decade. Rush appears at Bridge Street Live on Nov. 7.
Click here to check out an archive of the program, while a playlist is here.
In 1962, Rush released his debut album — Tom Rush Live At The Unicorn — as two of his performances at the famed Boston coffeehouse were recorded, even though only 600 copies were ultimately pressed. The record remains highly sought after by collectors.
It was during this period that Rush, a native of New Hampshire, helped introduce the era of the singer-songwriter, paving the way for artists who would become household names years later, including Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Jackson Browne to name but a few.
Rush would go on to record a number of songs written by the aforementioned artists. Throughout his recording and performing career, he’s managed to find the right balance between his own compositions and a wide range of tastefully done covers.
In March, Rush was diagnosed as having COVID-19, but by the following month, had apparently recovered from the sickness.
Rush will be joined by multi-instrumentalist Matt Nakoa at the Bridge Street show. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Nakoa first played with Rush during an impromptu recording session in 2014 when he sat in on piano. Impressed by Nakoa’s ability, Rush took him on the road shortly thereafter and the duo have worked together regularly since as Nakoa accompanies Rush on guitar or keyboards.