SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: THE AMERICANA SESSIONS- THE NELONS
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
CD REVIEW:
THE AMERICANA SESSIONS
THE NELONS
LABEL: DAYWIND RECORDS
PRODUCER: JASON CLARK
RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 24, 2017
GROUP MEMBERS: KELLY NELON CLARK (ALTO), JASON CLARK (TENOR/LEAD), AMBER NELON THOMPSON (SOPRANO), AND AUTUMN NELON CLARK (ALTO)
SONG LIST:
Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford)
Colors Of The Wind (Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz)
Coat Of Many Colors (Dolly Parton)
You Needed Me (Charles (Randolph) Goodman)
Daddy And Son (Jason Clark, Dony McGuire, Reba Rambo-McGuire)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Paul Simon)
Oh Shenandoah (Traditional)
Take Me Home Country Roads (John Denver, Mary & William Danoff)
An America Trilogy (Mickey Newbury)
Mama Tried (Merle Haggard)
Battlefield (Vince Gill, Sonya Isaacs)
THOUGHTS:
The Nelons are one Southern Gospel Music's most beloved family groups. This great family takes on some of this country's greatest classics with their new album The Americana Sessions. This incredible recording features well known standards such as "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Take Me Home Country Roads," "You Needed Me," and "Gentle On My Mind." The album opens with the latter a Glen Campbell tune which is lead by Amber Nelon Thompson and sets the tone for the project. Thompson gets to shine on a Disney classic "Colors Of The Wind" and her younger sister Autumn takes the lead on Dolly Parton's "Coat Of Many Colors." Matriarch Kelly delivers the lyric of "You Needed Me,"made popular by Anne Murray, which showcases her tender alto. Jason Clark is featured on the mid-tempo Country Gospel track "Daddy And Son," which tells of an estranged father and son reuniting. Clark co-wrote this song (which fits perfectly with the others on the project) with Dony McGuire and Reba Rambo-McGuire. "Bridge Over Troubled Water," showcases the brilliant harmonies of this group. Amber gives a simply stellar performance of "Oh Shenandoah." Her soaring vocals are on full display on this timeless anthem. Next, the group takes on the John Denver classic "Take Me Home Country Roads," which is complete with that down home country style. "An American Trilogy," is a medley of "Dixieland," and "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," and done expertly I must say. Jason once again takes the lead on the Merle Haggard hit "Mama Tried," which fit his voice quite well. This incredible record closes with a breathtaking a cappella version of the Sonya Isaacs and Vince Gill penned "Battlefield," which expresses devotion to the Lord.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
THIS ALBUM IS SIMPLY FANTASTIC! THE NELONS HAVE OUTDONE THEMSELVES YET AGAIN WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION OF CLASSICS. THE HARMONIES, THE MUSICIANSHIP AND PRODUCTION QUALITY ARE SUPERB. THIS RECORD SHOWS THAT NOT ONLY ARE THE NELONS GREAT IN GOSPEL MUSIC, THEY CAN ALSO SHINE IN AMERICANA. ONE OF THE BEST CDS OF THE YEAR! IF YOUR A FAN OF THE NELONS OR CLASSIC AMERICANA MUSIC, THIS IS A MUST BUY!
5 OUT OF 5 STARS!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.kellynelon.com