Allison Russell: “The Returner” (Song of the Day)

The title track to Allison Russell’s album “The Returner” is a powerful (and catchy) song about empowerment and loving yourself and others.

Allison Russell has followed up her outstanding solo debut album Outside Child (2021), showing no sophomore slump, taking us to new heights with the wonderful album The Returner (2023). In her solo work, she continues to explore what makes us human, facing trauma, and finding ourselves.

American Songwriter summarizes the new album as “a 10-song collection woven together with surprise, gratitude, pain and musical beauty the world has never quite seen before.” Ken Tucker of NPR explains that while Outside Child made “stirring music out of the harrowing details of Russell’s youth as a survivor of sexual abuse and homelessness,” The Returner features “songs about a more uplifting adulthood.” While there is some truth to that album comparison, it may be a little simplistic to draw a sharp line between the two albums that way. Both albums convey struggles and strengths that are not often encountered with such poetry and grace in pop music.

Regarding the title track of the album, Allison Russell creates music that sounds like a lost classic from the 1960s. When I first played the song, I felt like I had heard it many times, and I had to stop everything so my ears could give it my full attention. And then once you pay attention to the lyrics, you realize this song is really something special.

“The Returner” is about turning over a new leaf and finding a better and stronger person within yourself, despite the struggles and pain you’ve been through. It’s as inspiring as “We Will Rock You” or the theme from “Rocky,” with this fighter taking on something larger and darker and coming out on the other side.

In “The Returner,” the singer proclaims one of the most life-affirming things one may say: “I’m worthy.” But she is not keeping the newfound worthiness and strength for just herself; she aims to spread the power and the love to everyone she can. And that is what Russell does with these songs.

Goodbye, so long, farewell, all I’ve been;
Ooh, oblivion,
Throw me in the ocean,
Ooh, see if I can swim;
I’m wild again, I’m a star child again;
I’ve come ten million miles, ooh, I’m burning;
I’m a summer dream, I’m a real light beam, I’m worthy
Of all the goodness and the love that the world’s gonna give to me;
I’m a give it back ten times, people, are you ready?
If you think you’re alone, hold on, I’m coming.

Check out “The Returner” from Allison Russell.

Russell incorporates different genres in her music, including elements from Americana, R&B, Country, Soul, and Folk. Even the lyrics to “The Returner” show her broad embrace of music, referencing jazz great John Coltrane and country legends the Carter Family in the same sentence: “I can’t think of a thing / That hasn’t been born of a dream / Like a love supreme / Like a circle unbroken.” Another example of the lack of limits on her music is that musicians on the album include Americana artist Brandi Carlile and Wendy & Lisa (Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman). The latter are known for their work with Prince in the 1980s.

As one may note from the results, Russell is not aiming to make ordinary music. Russell, who before these two albums was in Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters, highlights on the liner notes the importance of the studio where she recorded The Returner. She recorded the album in the same studio as Joni Mitchell’s Blue and Carole King’s Tapestry, two of the greatest singer-songwriter albums of all time. With such artists, Russell continues to carve out a significant place among the stars.

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Allison Russell and Brandi Carlile Remind You That “You’re Not Alone”

On a powerful new single release of “You’re Not Alone” to benefit charity, Allison Russell gets some help from Brandi Carlile for an inspirational recording.

Two of the most talented living singer-songwriters Allison Russell and Brandi Carlile recently joined voices on “You’re Not Alone.” The duet is one of the most powerful pieces of music we have heard in a long time.

The song, written and produced by Russell, as noted by her website, features “inspiring meditation on the power of ancestral strength and the essential nature of community.” Russell, who was born in Montreal, includes French lyrics in the song, stressing the universality of its message that during difficult times we can find hope from others, past and present.

Originally, Russell’s former group Our Native Daughters included their beautiful version of “You’re Not Alone” on their 2019 debut album. In the new version of “You Are Not Alone,” the song begins with quiet strings, building in strength. The song’s musicians include Sista Strings: Monique Ross, Chauntee Ross, and Larissa Maestro.

In the cradle of the circle (oh, In the cradle of the circle),
All the ones that came before you (all the ones who came before you),
Their strength is yours now (their strength is yours);
You’re not alone.

Why did Russell decide to release a new version of her song now, besides the fact that she has found a bond with Carlile, part of her “chosen family”? Well, recent events, such as school shootings and the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs, seem to have influenced the inspirational new version.

With this release, Russell explained: “Every child deserves to be loved and protected. Our families with LGBTQIA+ parents are just as precious. No one should be forced into the sacred role of parenthood against their will. Human Rights are worth fighting for. We’ve come a long way but we must go farther still.”

Proceeds from downloads through Bandcamp will benefit the Looking Out Foundation’s Every Town For Gun Safety Support Fund and The Fight For Reproductive Justice Campaign.

Russell and Carlile are currently touring together. Check out Russell and Carlile performing “You’re Not Alone” live at Bethel Woods in Bethel, NY on August 19, 2022.

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  • Allison Russell: “The Returner” (Song of the Day)
  • Allison Russell’s “Nightflyer” (Song of the Day)
  • Picture Show Online Tribute to John Prine
  • Video of the Day: Brandi Carlile’s “Party of One”
  • John Prine Takes the Stage With New Music at Radio City Music Hall
  • John Prine New Single: “Summer’s End”
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    Picture Show Online Tribute to John Prine

    Picture Show John Prine

    There was a lot of love going around in last night’s tribute to John Prine called Pictire Show: Tribute to John Prine. Singers, performers, and friends appearing with stories and songs included Bonnie Raitt , Todd Snider, Sturgill Simpson, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Bill Murray, Kevin Bacon, Rita Wilson, and many others.

    Throughout the tribute, Prine’s wife Fiona Prine makes several appearances to introduce artists. It is a loving tribute with great stories and music.

    The full tribute is available for a limited time through Sunday, June 14. So, for now, check it out below. [Update: The full show is no longer online.]

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • John Prine Takes the Stage With New Music at Radio City Music Hall
  • John Prine New Single: “Summer’s End”
  • Arlo McKinley: “Watching Vermont”
  • Allison Russell: “The Returner” (Song of the Day)
  • Allison Russell and Brandi Carlile Remind You That “You’re Not Alone”
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    Video of the Day: Brandi Carlile’s “Party of One”

    Party of One

    Brandi Carlile’s new song “Party of One” is a rare treat, taking an adult look at relationships, getting beyond dreamy love or angry hate.
    The singer has been through arguments with a lover and has survived hostilities, “You should always let the sun go down on your anger /
    Let it burn you to sleep.” But at the end of the day, through all of the fighting, the singer knows they will remain together

    Oh your constant overthinking and your secretive drinking,
    Are making you more and more alone;
    And girl, you can slam the door behind you,
    It ain’t ever gonna close;
    Because when you’re home, you’re already home.

    At the end, the singer repeats “I am yours” over and over again. Real relationships have fights, but hopefully the two can still find a way to come together.

    The official video for “Party of One” features Elisabeth Moss and Nicole Disson. Carlile specifically sought out Moss, the star of The Handmaid’s Tale, for the video.  And Moss also ended up producing and serving as creative director.

    Carlile originally wrote the song about the domestic pressures on same-sex relationships. And putting the song with the visuals of two women lovers in the video further reinforces the inclusiveness and universality of the message. Check it out.

    “Party of One” is the closing track of Brandi Carlile‘s album, By The Way, I Forgive You (2018).

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Allison Russell: “The Returner” (Song of the Day)
  • Allison Russell and Brandi Carlile Remind You That “You’re Not Alone”
  • Picture Show Online Tribute to John Prine
  • John Prine Takes the Stage With New Music at Radio City Music Hall
  • John Prine New Single: “Summer’s End”
  • Dolly Parton Covers Brandi Carlile’s ‘The Story’
  • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts.)

    John Prine Takes the Stage With New Music at Radio City Music Hall

    Prine Radio City On a Friday the 13th, one of the greatest songwriters of all time, John Prine, took the stage at Radio City Music Hall to launch his first album of new material in thirteen years.  With some help of a great band, opener Sturgill Simpson, and special guest Brandi Carlile, the 71-year-old showed that he remains a great entertainer too.

    The April 13, 2018 show began with Sturgill Simpson opening for Prine, taking the stage alone with a guitar for about an hour.  Few performers can command such a large audience alone, but Simpson is one of them, even as he admitted being nervous before coming out.

    Simpson’s set included many of his best songs, with a highlight being his performance of “Turtles All the Way Down” back-to-back with “Just Let Go.”  Both of those songs appeared on Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014).  Other songs included a moving rendition of “Oh Sara.”  And he played the opening song from A Sailor’s Guide to Earth (2016), “Welcome to Earth (Pollywog).”

    Simpson also played some traditional songs and covers, including When in Rome’s “The Promise,” which he had included in Metamodern Sounds, and the Bee Gees’ “Come on Over.”  And he began “Long White Line” with a riff that took a detour into Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire.”

    One has to admire Simpson, who could fill the seats just on his own, having the respect for Prine to be his opener. Simpson is one of the best music artists today, in or outside the country genre, so it was great to see him in this context.

    Simpson also announced that while he will be playing a number of festivals until September, after those shows he plans to take a year off from touring.  His wife is having another son and he wishes to spend time watching his children grow.

    John Prine Takes the Stage

    John Prine took the Radio City Music Hall stage for the first time in his career with a sharp band, including new members Ken Blevins on drums and and Fats Kaplan playing fiddle, mandolin, and lap steel guitar. At one point Prine explained how much it meant to be on this stage when he recounted seeing Bette Midler at the venue performing his song “Hello in There.”  At the time, he dreamed of one day playing here.

    Because the show was the album-release show for The Tree of Forgiveness (2018), many of those new songs made it into the set.  But there was plenty of room for old gems.

    Prine Radio City

    Early on, Prine played a wonderful rendition of his classic “Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow).”  And there was a fun performance of “Grandpa Was a Carpenter.” But the audience was just as welcoming of the new songs from The Tree of Forgiveness, sometimes helped by a humorous introduction, as in the case of “Egg & Daughter Nite, Lincoln Nebraska, 1967 (Crazy Bone).”  Everyone in the audience will be receiving the new CD in the mail after buying a ticket for this show, but they had not received the album yet.

    While there was not much politics in the show, there was a nod to the political climate with “Caravan of Fools.”  And Prine introduced his old gem “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” by saying that he normally dusts off the song only for election years.  But he said that after the last election, he is keeping it in his set.

    While some may have wondered how Prine’s voice would hold up at his age and after two bouts of cancer, he eliminated any doubts by generally being in great shape.  His voice got a little hoarser as the show went on and he missed a few of the high notes on “Hello in There.”  Yet, any voice cracks gave more emotion to the song, and guest and backup singers helped out in the last part of the show.  And with all that, Prine was still going strong at the end.

    In the middle of Prine’s show, all of the band members left to take a break.  And the 71-year-old entertained us with just his voice and guitar for several songs, including the best version of “Sam Stone” I have ever heard.

    Special guest Brandi Carlile helped out with Prine’s new song “Summer’s End,” which she also sings with him on the new album.  She also did a great job trading verses with Prine on what may be his most recognized song, “Angel From Montgomery.”

    And one of the highlights of the entire show was when Prine and Carlile came to the front of the stage for “In Spite of Ourselves,” a song from Prine’s  1999 duets album of the same name that had featured Iris Dement on the tune.  Prine introduced the song by saying that his wife said he could do another song with Carlile if he did not talk too much during the show.

    Sturgill Simpson returned to join Prine too.  The two men sang “Please Don’t Bury Me” and a touching “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness.”  With the band, the whole group gave a rousing performance of “Pretty Good.”

    The latter song transcends well in a live setting with multiple electric guitars and the power of Simpson’s voice, while “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness” was a quieter moment befitting the lyrics.

    Finally, it was time to say goodbye.  Prine closed with with his wonderful epic “Lake Marie,” backed up by the band along with a few guests that included Carlile, Prine’s son, and Prine’s wife Fiona.  Then, they finished with another song of spoken words and choruses with “When I Get to Heaven” from Tree of Forgiveness.  The final song, referencing lost loved ones and looking with joy toward death, was a touching and humorous finale.

    It was my first time seeing Prine perform live, and as in the case anytime I have seen a long-term favorite artist perform, I could count a number of songs I wish he would have played.  But with such an amazing catalog, there is no way he can play even a significant portion of his great songs.  Yet, during the show, I never spent any time wishing for anything else besides what was going on at the stage. It was a fantastic celebration by one of America’s gems.

    Photos by Chimesfreedom. Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Picture Show Online Tribute to John Prine
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  • John Prine New Single: “Summer’s End”
  • John Prine Releasing New Album, “For Better, For Worse”
  • Arlo McKinley: “Watching Vermont”
  • Allison Russell: “The Returner” (Song of the Day)
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)