"There's a fine legacy of Texas blues and Woody Russell is well up there alongside many of his heroes. His guitar playing on this album is excellent, his hard-edged vocal style is perfectly suited to his self-written songs and the whole thing has the feel of an album that is part of the man and not just a project. From the first moments of 'Make It Tough On Me' with its chugging rhythm and ringing guitar he sounds like he means business. 'That's Just The Way My Wheels Roll' has a funky and choppy riddim with some fine harp from Jose Ruiz. He really explodes on 'They Won't Know What Hit Them' getting the full power of the track belting along with his guitar, fluid and riffy below his throaty and harsh vocals. When he does solo, he shows a real flair and speedy fingers but when he gets soulful, as he does on 'Under My Door', he can play sweet as well. He even manages to mix up both sides of his nature on 'Right Side Of The Grass' with some honeyed vocals against his harder guitar side. I don't think anyone is going to stand back and say "Wow, I never heard anything like that before", but he has taken the influences around him and made an album that sounds like the work of a man whose life revolves around his music and he writes and plays well enough to put him well ahead of most of his peers."  - Andy Snipper, Blues Matters (UK) Feb/Mar 2011  

"Woody Russell has crafted a lovely collection of original blues and soul music. A pair of rockers reminiscent of SRV are exceptions on Up Against It (Cats Up The Street Music), where the Austin singer-guitarist puts contemporary touches on number of classic styles, updating roadhouse shuffles and Howlin' Wolf stomps, blending Curtis Mayfield with Stevie Wonder on "Under My Door", toughening the creamy soul of Willie Mitchell's Memphis productions in "Right Side Of The Grass", and exploring electric and acoustic R&B ballads. Russell dials in a variety of appealing guitar tones; his crisp, inventive lines blend funk and blues with Jeff Beck's fearlessness. If there's a knock, it's that Russell plays too much guitar: his melodies and songs would easily stand up with a minimum of decoration." -  Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue  Jan/Feb 2011 

“Russell’s guitar work is exemplary and his vocals alternate between fiery and soulful… a strong composer with a unique perspective on the blues. If you like your blues with a touch of soul and rock, Up Against It will be a satisfying purchase.” - Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes  (read complete review here) Nov 2010

"Woody Russell brings an excitingly fresh, diverse and dynamic approach to the blues with his newest release "Up Against It". Strong compostions with melodic vocals firmly anchored with a driving, top notch band. Pick up a copy and give it a spin...you'll be glad you did. " - The Blues Hound , 90.1 FM KPFT Houston Oct 2010

"If I had to describe Woody Russell’s new album Up Against It in two words it would be “GOD DAMN!” This record is like air and blood: necessary for life... pure genius in the form of Texas blues. Stevie Ray Vaughan himself is tapping his toes and tipping his hat to Woody from the great blues club in the sky." - Doug Morrissey, MusikReviews.com (Read complete review here) Oct 2010

"Woody Russell's musicianship and vocal delivery on this album are second to none... a very good musician, an exceptional singer and let's not forget his songwriting that seals the deal for this total package artist. " - John Vermilyea , The Blues Report / BluesUndergroundNetwork.com (Read complete review here) Oct 2010

"Blues artist Woody Russell does a great job of melding the old and new to create something that will appeal to a wide range of listeners. His voice is definitely old soul and full of soul. His guitar playing flows from traditional Texas blues to searing, E.V.H. bursts of fret prowl ness to 60’s Stax/Volt soul with lots of funk rhythms and riffs sprinkled throughout. Russell opens “Up Against It” with the red hot blues number “Make It Tough on Me” and winds it all down with a little heartfelt soul ditty entitled “Between Nowhere and Goodbye”. Everything in between is like the butter and honey in the biscuit. Good stuff." - J.R. Oliver, Ear Candy (www.earcandymag.com) Oct 2010

“Audience favorite...” - Newport Daily News  (Read complete Newport articles here) 

“...a cross section of sounds and flavors throughout this delightful disc (Salt). Russell has a down to earth emotive vocal style that is sincere and warm. He is first and foremost a storyteller, and a very talented one that happens to sing, play guitar, banjo, and handle some percussion and loops to round out his musical multi tasking... the bottom line is this music works on you and gets you emotional.” - Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, Blues Matters (UK) review of "Salt"

“Uh oh. Warning: an artist from Austin, Texas. Translation: prepare yourself for some very fine music. Russell composes rustbelt blues rock with Americana on the back porch looking for the lemonade. His voice is never stagnant and is sincere with the possibilities of tender lyrics one would read from a personal diary. I love the production on this album. It never tries too hard to sound brilliant and that’s where the genius is — it allows the album’s tunes room to breathe and to become an emotional standby for any music listener that happens by.” - J. Sin, Smother.net review of "Salt"

“He's got some powerful, gut-emanating pipes, full of soul and deeply-felt conviction. His eclectic six-string was like something out of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame. He immediately drew attention with his intricate finger work. The packed crowd was roaring in the tiny venue… awesome lyrics about farms, liquor, women and solitude… eclectic and unique and worth more than the price of admission.” - Chart Magazine (ChartAttack.com) review of NXNE performance

“Woody Russell's voice is the first thing you notice about Salt. His smooth, emotional tone adds substance to his songs and makes them stick with you. The second thing you notice is the playing. The music is tight, with no wasted notes. This is only his third record, but Salt has the sound of a musician who has invested a lifetime in sharpening his playing. The songs themselves are thoughtful, with a pretty sharp sense of humor. Russell is establishing a reputation as a singer/songwriter to watch, and Salt is a proof point in support of his blossoming career.” - Lance Looper, High-Bias review of "Salt"

“...skillful at melding modern and vintage seasons into well-produced songs. Russell is supported by a talented band playing lap steel, upright bass and additional vocals. Salt is an eclectic mix of styles and all fourteen tracks are filled with rich imagery. 'Count On Me' is the strong opening track with standout jazzy instrumentation with each discernible as Woody warmly sings his visual lyrics. In comparison, the second song 'Parts and Labor' is witty and has an up-tempo, country flavor. 'Leaving' is slow and sweet with reflective lyrics and stellar, steel leads. Salt is a diverse, bold collection and a good complement to any music collection!” - Laura Turner Lynch, Kweevak.com review of "Salt"

(Five Stars) "... a true talent to watch out for.” - Editor, International Acoustic Music Awards (inacoustic.com) review of "Salt

“Randy Newman meets Tom Waits... I would go as far as to say Mr. Russell could go toe to toe with Newman if it came right down to it. Fourteen songs and not one single one is filler. Oh, and did I mention he’s a hell of a guitar player too. I love his rhythm guitar work. It has a real percussive feel that will have your head bobbin’ up and down like one of those little dogs that people have in their back windshield. This is a really fun album from top to bottom. It’s easy to understand why his Russell’s fanbase is rapidly growing after giving this captivating Texas troubadour a listen.” - J.R. Oliver, EarCandyMag.com review of "Salt"

“A little taste of Americana, Salt is a poetic string of love and loss. Rooted in Russell's unique, sometimes growling, often soft voice, each track unveils a different sound from the carnival-esque "In the Middle of the Fringe" to the faded blues of "DB Blues". Russell's guitar is sharp, but comfortable with the percussive grooves of Spanish-styled melodies. Warm at its core, the album orbits around the sincerity of the title track which magically accomplishes otherwise campy lines like "She's the roots to my tree/the salt in my sea" with heartfelt honesty. With an ear for craftsmanship, this album successfully captures the roots-folk sound often lost in production.” - Dan Cummings, Hyperactive Magazine review of "Salt"

“In Russell you'll find a rare musician with the versatility to wail in a true falsetto and then burst forth with a resonating purr that makes you want to hang your head and shuffle your feet in the dust as you walk alone down a long, gritty dirt road to nowhere. Russell writes his own songs, sings, plays the guitar among other instruments and even produces; the sound you hear is pure Woody, and that's a really good thing.” - Lisa Utman Randall, Mercury

“Russell is eclectic yet accessible, and his music leans more toward the rootsy side of Americana than the twangy side. Vocally he sits somewhere between James Taylor and Tom Waits, smooth but with a well-placed growl when necessary. Exploring social consciousness and philosophy as well as hopeless romanticism, Russell’s songs are interesting and catchy at the same time ala Elvis Costello. His guitar playing is solid as well, putting him a notch above other troubadours. The quirky and offbeat “Parts and Labor” is smile-inducing but the best track by far on this collection is the breezy We May Never Know.” - Mike Farley, Bullz-Eye.com review of "Salt"

“Very tasteful music making.” - John Aielli, host of "Eklektikos" on KUT 90.5 FM, Austin

“Vocal growls and pounding rhythms pierce the whole project like an indelible mark of hard-living at its best. Even when the moment turns slightly mellower, the music doesn’t display any sign of overt vulnerability. Instead it opts for a message of reinforced pessimism. A welcome viewpoint to the complexity of life and our willingness to accept it on our own terms.” - Editor, Independent Songwriter E-zine review of "Time To Go"

“... Russell's percussive guitar work and husky voice have made him one of the premiere roots rockers in the underground.” - Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide review of "Time To Go"

“Lyrics that paint a picture, mixed with skillful musicianship, it's far from Russell's time to go, it's now time for him to arrive. From the opening exclamation to the smooth 'Last Thing I Expected', Woody captivates the listener.” - Tim Waldal, Platter Chatter review of "Time To Go"

"The only performer to stand up, use an acoustic amp miked instead of direct box (like 007 shaken, not stirred) and a resonator guitar with a slight digital delay tremeloux like effect. His finger style accompaniment include a cornucopia of Django gypsy, classical to banjo like arpeggios, reggae, blues shuffle and steel like slides that support vocal styles as intimate as whispers to falsetto screams, whoop ass grit, T-Bone blues and Island Jamaican. Woody also uses his heel for percussion on the stage much like Austin's electric piano guru, 60's vintage, Blind George." - Polk Shelton, Austin Songwriters Group

"This guy deserves to be heard!" - Belgium Radio ATL

“Superb performer" - NW Folklife Festival

“A dark cinematic feel, punctuated with tasty guitar. A nice mixture of ‘ethereal Americana’ and humor. A highly recommended local artist.” - Victory Review of "...as simple as that"

“An outstanding debut (…as simple as that) filled with compelling songs about the dark side of life.” - Platter Chatter review of "...as simple as that"