Tom Rush - Gardens Old, Flowers New (2024)

The album’s title, “Gardens Old, Flowers New,” is a line that appears in two of the songs here. I mean to convey the idea that many things in life — watching your child learn about the world, or falling in love — have happened millions on millions of times through the eons, but each time is always fresh and different.

I can’t bring myself to say vintage artist, a blast from the past, an old-timer, or nostalgic. Not with this CD. Right from the first gust of wind in “Sailing,” through to the excellent “Nothin’ But a Man,” Tom Rush (vocals/acoustic guitar) may be mature, but he cooks up some marvelous stuff here.

The musicianship on every cut is stellar & Rush is always in fine voice. There’s a coolness to his authoritative tone, something seldom heard in younger artists. Maybe it takes time & experience & having lived the songs as Rush has.

Yes, it’s folky, but it’s not immersed in heavy-handed political sauce. The songs are often poignant, formidable, reflective & in a time-honored way. The melodic soil that Gardens Old, Flowers New is planted in comes from a rich & fluid place.

It has memorable tunes with no visible retreads from another era. Instead of a young rebel, we have a “father’s” voice — soul searching & where the message brokers once dealt the revolutionary cards with political mudslinging & bellyaching — they should have just told a good story with a lesson in it. A good story like Tom Rush did. Music isn’t going save the world, but it will shed light, a bright light…if it knows where to shine. Mr. Rush knew where to point his light. With “Won’t Be Back At All,” Rush touches upon a John Prine-type narration that touches down achingly beautiful.

The 14 blossoms on this new set were produced by Matt Nakoa (keys/guitars/slide trombone/harmonics/add’l percussion) in CT. Songs composed with expertise & quite distinguished. Never indulgent, just tasteful & wait for it – groovy. Yeah, groovy. I haven’t said that word in decades but, it’s applicable with a wink.

This is Tom’s first new LP in 5 years & it also celebrates the label Appleseed’s 25th year. The project incorporates songs about watching a child learn about the world & falling in love with tunes that are cheerful, sad & dealing with loneliness.

Tom’s a folk icon from the 60s. His classic song “No Regrets,” is high on my list of desert island discs, his version & Scott Walker’s cover. Tom is an artist with musical instincts that have never rusted – not judging by this collection. Immensely enjoyable.