DREW NELSON

Dusty Road to Beulah Land

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.

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 11/2016

    David Crosby
    Lighthouse

  • reviewed 07/2006

    RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOT
    I Stand Alone

  • reviewed 01/2010

    DAPHNE WILLIS
    What to Say

  • reviewed 12/2006

    LACH
    Blang!

  • reviewed 07/2006

    JOSHUA RADIN
    We Were Here

  • reviewed 04/2007

    Golden Smog
    Blood on the Slacks

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.