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Old 07-19-2019, 06:07 PM
RogerPease RogerPease is offline
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Default Russell Smith, R.I.P.

I didn't find a thread on this but there needs to be one.

Russell Smith, songwriter and lead singer of the Amazing Rhythm Aces passed away 2 days ago from cancer at age 70.

For more see:
https://musicrow.com/2019/07/song-ma...-smith-passes/

Please post your favorite Russell Smith song as a tribute.

I'll start with "The Ella B".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXH8s7rAAKg

R.I.P., Russell.

_Roger

Last edited by RogerPease; 07-19-2019 at 09:22 PM. Reason: added URL
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Old 07-19-2019, 09:23 PM
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Bruce Sexauer Bruce Sexauer is offline
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I do a couple of his songs, I think. Third Rate Romance is one. Certainly Amazing Rythm Aces. They remain the best ”bar band” I ever heard. Fare thee well, Russell.
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Old 07-20-2019, 12:31 PM
jseth jseth is offline
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The Amazing Rhythm Aces were a terrific band, and Russell Smith wrote a lot of great songs... always felt they were not recognized as much as the should have been; other than "Third Rate...", I don't recall another "hit", and this was back in the day when a hit song was nearly everything to "make it" in the biz...

My favorite? Hard to say - I still will do "I'll Be Gone" from time to time, when I'm performing... "Emma Jean, won't you unlock your back door screen?" - don't recall the title of that one, but I liked it a lot, too...

Thanks for all the great music, Russell... great job!
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Old 07-20-2019, 01:10 PM
JStotes JStotes is offline
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ARA was maybe my favorite band. I cover 15 to 20 "aces" tunes as well as some of his solo stuff. He was an incredibly gifted song writer and will be missed by those of us into the country/rock/blues styles he did so well.

RIP!!!
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Old 07-20-2019, 01:33 PM
slowesthand slowesthand is offline
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sad news, I was turned on to the ARA a few years ago by a jam buddy of mine. And still play a couple of theirs regularly. I think "The end is not in sight" is my favorite.

Theres a great live version of in on U tube, from Austin City Limits.
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Old 07-20-2019, 01:57 PM
12barBill 12barBill is online now
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He also had a solo career after ARA. I have always loved his recognizable voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEkT5Upft9A&app=desktop
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Old 07-21-2019, 10:14 AM
12barBill 12barBill is online now
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Live from Australia in 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zla-mjEfU0&app=desktop
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Old 08-05-2019, 04:35 PM
Greg Rappleye Greg Rappleye is offline
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I am sorry to hear this. "The End Is Not In Sight" is a particular favorite of mine.

If I'm not mistaken, Smith actually sang the song (instead of Jesse Winchester) on Winchester's 1977 album, "Learn to Love It."

Greg Rappleye

CORRECTION: This is what you get for relying upon a 66 year-old memory. Russell Smith actually sang "Third Rate Romance" on "Learn to Love it."

GJR

Last edited by Greg Rappleye; 08-05-2019 at 04:46 PM. Reason: Facts
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