Last summer, singer, guitarist, and folk music interpreter Jake Xerxes Fussell released his fifth album, When I’m Called, via Fat Possum. KLOF Mag’s Glenn Kimpton described the album as Fussell’s finest set and most delicately arranged. He also interviewed Fussell, in which he spoke about the recording process, working with James Elkington, and the influence of artist, musician, folklorist, and mentor Art Rosenbaum; you can read it here.
Today, Fussell unveils his version of Arthur Russell’s “Close My Eyes.” This was also the opening song, performed solo on guitar, of the album Love is Overtaking Me, initially released in 2008 on New York City’s Audika imprint. The album featured 21 demos and home recordings of unreleased pop, folk and country songs from Arthur’s vast catalogue, recorded between 1974-1990, and, as an album, arguably has the broadest appeal of all his work, as this country waltz testifies.
Just as Russell did, Fussell performs it beautifully and solo on guitar. His soothing delivery is perfect for this number, making it a beautiful tribute to the late musical polymath. After hearing this, you can understand why this number has become such a regular in Fussell’s setlist.
He says: “I’ve long felt partial to the country waltz as a song form. I enjoy playing them. And like so many of us record listeners, I became intrigued a number of years ago with the posthumously released recordings of the beautiful composer / cellist / singer / producer Arthur Russell. ‘Close My Eyes’ naturally became something I’d slip into my shows every now and then. People began requesting it and in time it became something of a setlist fixture and it seems to have developed a life of its own there.”
Jake Xerxes Fussell has also announced new dates in Europe and the UK this summer. A complete list of dates are below, and tickets and further information are available here.
Order the new single via Bandcamp: https://jakexerxesfussell.bandcamp.com/track/close-my-eyes
Jake Xerxes Fussell 2025 European Tour Dates
Tickets: https://www.jakexerxesfussell.com/shows
Thu. June 5 – Lyon, FR @ Marche Gare w/ Naima Bock, Clara Mann
Fri. June 6 – Paris, FR @ Petit Bain w/ Richard Dawson, Naima Bock, Clara Mann
Sat. June 7 – Le Havre, FR @ Le Tetris w/ Naima Bock, Clara Mann
Mon. June 9 – Groningen, NL @ Lutherse Kerk w/ Naima Bock
Tue. June 10 – Nijmegen, NL @ Merleyn w/ Naima Bock
Wed. June 11 – Rotterdam, NL @ Lantaren Venster w/ Naima Bock
Thu. June 12 – Ghent, BE @ Palmarium at the Botanical Gardens
Fri. June 13 – Amsterdam, NL @ Zonnehuis
Fri. Aug. 29 – Sun. Aug. 31 – Dorset, UK @ End of the Road Festival
Tue. Sept 2 – Bristol, UK @ The Fleece
Wed. Sept. 3 – York, UK @ National Centre for Early Music
Thu. Sept. 4 – Hebden Bridge, UK @ The Trades Club
Fri. Sept. 5 – Liverpool, UK @ Philharmonic Music Room
Sat. Sept. 6 – Gateshead, UK @ Glasshouse
Sun. Sept. 7 – Edinburgh, UK @ The Caves
Thu. Sept. 25 – Luxembourg @ Philharmonie Luxembourg
Sun. Sept 28 – Hamburg, DE @ Aalhaus
Tue. Sept 30 – Warsaw, PL @ BARdzo
Wed. Oct. 1 – Berlin, DE @ Silent Green
Thu. Oct. 2 – Jena, DE @ Trafo