John Nelson delivers each song with a calm, almost moist vocal that draws a little
from Paul Simon, an accent-less Graham Nash, and a gentle Neil Young. His voice
is elegantly calming as it and the harmonies melt into the disciplined guitar
picking and tender band. It all feels so effortless, as it floats out of
Nelson and his band. Tengo Ranchito, Nelson's 2007 release succeeds in gently,
beautifully squeezing out your breath.
Jeff Weiss - Miles of Music
(Mystery Bay Records)
Wow, what a good record. Old hand John Nelson sounds great, the playing is crisp,
and the songs are endlessly engaging. It's nearly Country Rock, with the addition
of drums and some brushes across a Tele and an Epi archtop on several tunes. The
one cover, "Satisfied Mind", and the lead off "Small Town Girl" rock pretty well
too, but while the whole record maintains a good groove, Nelson usually gets the
job done acoustically. The title cut is an intricate story, and the next song,
"Light On The Shore" is hushed and hopeful. It just gets better from there -
one dreamy mix of marvelous musicianship mated to thoughtfully wrought stories
after another. And whereas Nelson's last outing, a duet with Max Paul Schwennsen,
was an exuberantly rough record of tub-thumpin' and fishin' harmonies, Tengo Ranchito is
spankin' clean and Nelson works hard to get things just so. Oh, Boy does he!
John Nelson is by my knowledge a new name. The web learns me that it round a,
everything older man goes that in 2003 an instrumentale plate made, (recorded in
a kinderziekenhuis in Seattle), and a duo plate plate disc with Max Paul Schwennssen.
John makes acoustic, in folk soaked music that strengthen does think of the years
70 singer-songwriters to drawer Jackson Browne, Terence Boylan, Graham Nash… John
has a soft voice that sounds as if they not through the life drawn is. He brings
acoustic splendor songs that for a large divide the same structure have. John on
acoustic guitars and whispered singing (its voice does at Eugene Ruffolo think),
a soft basis, an instrument an accent to lay (violin, piano, harmonica..) and
mostly Jane Milford as second voice. This works in the title number with a beautiful
violin as inkleuring. It works certainly also in single other numbers. Only works
a succession of numbers that so similar handles as a valiumpil. After single
numbers, the attention sleeps away and hope you actual on a sturdy guitar or a
surprising turn in a number. Totally on the end, there is an attempt till plain
fizzy drink-tempo with She's Lucky. Radios can set Ruby & Pearl on their playlist
because of the beautiful dobro and violin. For fans of Al Steward justest then
again Sail Away with a the guitar in the principal part. There on this plate
well single numbers are that I see will gladly once through stronger singers get
coverd. For lovers of soft, acoustic music. - (LD)
MazzMuzikas
Only weeks ago we received an email from John Nelson with the question of
whether his 'Tengo Ranchito 'we could not review. For me he was unknown John
and I first went web 'surfing' to see what information could be obtained. Usually
John Nelson is playing acoustic guitar on this album but he did call on Jane Milford
(BG vocals), Chris Leighton (drums), Jeff Simmons (Piano) and Bella Trio (violin). After the
first show to have heard of this album was my initial reaction ... wow. A mix of
Neil Young and Bob Dylan and for me there may be Eagles in a pinch. Country
and Folk are mixed together with beautiful poetic texts and these are all from
the pen of John himself. Certainly not in a loud 'Barrel House' presentation, let
alone at a festival where beautiful immediately goes into the fog. No, John Nelson
you should you to in a club where there is respect for song writers like
him or by the fireplace with a glass of wine.
14 Tracks are equally beautiful and harmonious with the singing of Jane, this is
certainly a feast for the ear. From the magnificent 'Tengo Ranchito' to the wonderful
instrumental 'Wysteria' to the dreamy 'Horses With Wings' piece by piece poetry.
The need for some luck anyway in a small corner that is full with mega successful and
others less to do with all these people are just as John Nelson who live for their
music and truly enjoy with their guitar in hand and take away equal time with their
music. Beautiful!
It's from the Northwestern United States that comes John Nelson, a musician who
gained some notoriety as a producer and has played the guitar since the age of
14 years, now is performing as a songwriter. In the references he claims are Tim
Hardin, The Beatles, Ron Davies, Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Muddy Waters,
Freddy King and Jimmy Reed. With it, you better be good! Well the village is not
bad at all. True, his voice is sometimes a limit of accuracy but it has finally
put the emotion that distills the 14 songs on this album. Only Satisfied Mind is
a return, the other 13 were written by John himself. During the course of nearly
an hour, verging on country, touches on blues, tango, gentle on the folk and tickles
the rock. In any case, certain songs are excellent, none is bad. As for production,
of course assured by John Nelson. Well it is the talent of the various participants