Just an amazingly, fantastic album of great music. I'd love to share a beer with him and listen to his stories, but, since I probly can't, listening to this is a close second.

I have played "Wounded Heart of America" over and over again. Some of the cuts are pure pleasure to my ear and sensitivities, some are very insightful, some are a little humerous but the name is well chosen in that all address some aspect of "wounded" America. My favorite cut is "Walking on the Moon," a ballad that distills the ineffably exhilarating sweetness of falling in love into a song. "Navajo Rug" and "Cuban Sandwich" will put a smile on your face. "Veterans Day" should be mandatory listening for the families of Vietnam-era vets. "Gallo del Cielo" recounts the inevitable outcome of gambling but I don't like the cock-fighting aspect of the song. "Sky Above and Mud Below" is also quite raw and shocking to my sensibilities. "St. Olav's Gate" is great; "Acres of Corn" will be appreciated by any midwestern farm kid. I bought the CD because I heard Tom Russell sing "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall?" on David Letterman a couple weeks ago; it should be mandatory listening for anyone who thinks they've got a simple answer to the illegal immigration situation. Pair that with "Manzanar" and you'll have a perspective on immigration that should inform the current national debate. The orchestration is also fabulous. The variety from the Asian-influenced "Manzanar", the Zydeco Accordian on "Who's Gonna build Your Wall?" the spare guitar on "Walking on the Moon" to the Mexican sound of "Gallo del Cielo" provides very enjoyable listening apart from the poetry of the lyrics. I love this CD and highly recommend it. I only gave it four stars because it's not quite up to "Graceland" or "Glass Houses" but it is more than well worth the purchase price.

I just heard Tom play cut #16 "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall" on Letterman tonight and as usual he was poignant and right on. I am about to order this CD to add to all our others. He is truly an American original and if you haven't heard him yet do yourself a favor and treat yourself. I doubt if he's ever worried about being P.C when it comes to his belief system and from what I heard tonight I think that still holds true thank goodness .