Many guitarists have gravitated toward the American Primitive movement, but how this teenager sailed so close to the style of some of the genre’s figureheads is a mystery. To help us piece the puzzle together are two reissues via Tompkins Square – A Stone’s Throw from ‘79, and this release, Neither Here Nor There from ‘81.
Russell Potter’s short musical career is liberally littered with references to his heroes, and one glance at the track listing here will tell you he was a John Fahey fanatic. Maybe conscious of the need to put some distance between himself and Fahey, Russell mixes in some gorgeous Irish airs. And, when he throws in a Fahey cover, he thrashes out a ballsy electric version of The Dance Of The Inhabitants Of The Palace Of The King Phillip XIV Of Spain sounding akin to a sketch for a Spaceman 3 classic. Elsewhere, The Flowers of Edinburgh could easily pass for Renbourn or a number of primetime pickers. By this time his focus had moved away from his more rag based repertoire, but he could still throw in a masterful dirge if the fancy took him. The level of accomplishment for one of such tender years is awe inspiring: there isn’t a hint of pastiche and the vibe is alive. Sadly this was to be the last recording from a virtuosic free spirit.
