2009-02-22
On his third release, Drew Nelson seems to be developing into Michigan's version of John Mellencamp, commenting on the state of life in our corner of the country with a storyteller's insight and a troubadour's melodic passion -- with alternating flashes of anger and grace. Check "Highway 2," "Stranger" and "Farmer's Lament" for the best examples of these references. He's on the side of the working man, urging them to persevere despite the odds and looking to the beauty of what's natural (land, sky, water) and what's true (hope and love) -- for inspiration: "I want a baptism in a trout stream and my religion to be you." Local musicians Rachael Davis, Natalia Zukerman and Claudia Schmidt provide some well-appointed harmonies, particularly Zukerman's additions to "True and Fine." [NOTE: There's a one-minute pause after the last listed number, followed by "I'm a Little Catfish," a song written as a cartoon soundtrack.] F-Contemporary 02/09 Michael J.SARAH MCLACHLAN
Mirrorball (The Complete Concert)
NEIL YOUNG
LE NOISE
Paul Brady
Say What You Feel
CLIFF EBERHARDT
The High Above And The Down Below
DAR WILLIAMS
Promised Land
JAKE ARMERDING
Walking on the World
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