During this period he also collaborated with Allen Ginsberg, accompanying him on cello while Ginsberg read or sang. Russell also spent time in a Buddhist commune in California; he left when they decided to collectivize his cello.
By the mid-1970's Russell relocated to New York City, where he studied at The Manhattan School of Music. He formed a band from 1975-1979, The Flying Hearts, recorded by John Hammond and featuring David Byrne, Rhys Chatham, Jon Gibson, Peter Gordon, Jerry Harrison, Garret List, Frank Pagano, Andy Paley, Leni Pickett, and Peter Zummo.
In the late 1970s Russell became enamored with the disco scene in New York. At the time it represented a liberation force, particularly for the gay scene, just a few years after the Stonewall riots. (For more see "Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco" by Peter Shapiro).
'Kiss Me Again' was Russell's first dance track. Released under the name Dinosaur L by Sirerecords, it was to be the first of many innovative dancefloor tracks released under different names and with different collaborators, such as 'Is It All Over My Face' by Loose Joints, released in 1980. In 1982, Arthur Russell and William Socolov founded Sleeping Bag records and their first release was his 24-24 Music. This featured 'Go Bang' which was re-mixed as a 12" single by Francois Kevorkian.
Arthur Russell continued to release dance singles such as 'Tell You Today' (4th and Broadway, 1983) an upbeat dance groove featuring the vocals of Joyce Bowden . 'Wax the Van' (Jump Street, 1985) with vocals by Lola Blank, wife of notorious BobTreehouse aka Bob Schoolbell (Sleeping Bag, 1986) and 'Let's Go Swimming' (Upside / Rough Trade, 1986).
At the same time, he produced more meditative works on the albums 'Tower of Meaning' (Chatham Square, 1983) and 'World of Echo' (Rough Trade, 1986), which presented many of his pop and dance compositions in solo cellist form.
Arthur Russell died of AIDS on April 4, 1992, at the age of 40. The obituary in the Village Voice wrote: "his songs were so personal that it seems as though he simply vanished into his music."
In 2004 a renewed interest in Arthur Russell saw the release of "The World of Arthur Russell" on Soul Jazz records, which compiled his best-known dance hits alongside more introspective love songs such as "Little Lost" and "Keeping Up".
In the same year Audika records reissued "World Of Echo" and produced "Calling Out Of Context", 12 unreleased songs from 1985-90. The songs were taken from an album "Corn", recorded in 1985 but never released. They showcase a set of visionary pop songs years ahead of their time, minimalist and expansive, evidence that Russell's best work was perhaps never realized before his death.
In 2006 Audika released "First Thought Best Thought", compiling Russell's out of print orchestral and instrumental works with previously unreleased material.
Tone Bone Kone
Arthur Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
this evening you gave me good advice
and more and then
oh,
tone bone kone
?
In the song "Tone Bone Kone" by Arthur Russell, the singer expresses his gratitude towards someone who has given him good advice and much more. He says that he is so happy that he met this person and came to find them. The phrase "Tone Bone Kone" acts as a sort of refrain that punctuates the song but its meaning is unclear. It may be a nickname or a reference to something that has special significance to the singer or the person he is addressing.
The lyrics suggest a sense of relief and comfort that the singer feels after connecting with this person. The mention of receiving good advice suggests that the person may have acted as a mentor or guide to the singer. The overall tone of the song is one of appreciation and fondness, with the repeated refrain acting as a kind of celebration of the connection between the two people. The lyrics are open to interpretation and leave the listener with a sense of the singer's emotional state more than a concrete narrative.
Line by Line Meaning
i'm so happy that i met you and came to find
I am overjoyed that our paths have crossed and that I have had the opportunity to know you.
this evening you gave me good advice
On this particular night, you offered me valuable guidance on a personal matter.
and more and then
Furthermore, you provided me with additional insight beyond the initial advice.
oh,
This interjection is expressing excitement or wonderment about what is being discussed.
tone bone kone
This phrase does not have a clear meaning, it may be a playful nonsense phrase used to express gratitude or fondness for the person being addressed.
Contributed by Carson H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.