Nels Andrews - Pigeon and the Crow

  by Nicky Crewe

published: 27 / 5 / 2020

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I find myself increasingly drawn to music that has its roots in the Irish American diaspora, where transatlantic influences create songs of great beauty, longing and hope. I hadn’t come across Nels Andrews before but I was intrigued because his PR notes compared his music to Van Morrison’s 'Veedon Fleece' and to Milton Nascimento. Of course. there’s always a risk of disappointment in these kind of comparisons, but I took that risk and I am so glad I did. Nels Andrews now lives in Santa Cruz, California and there’s a real sense of the coastal landscape in his sound. The cover uses images of waves crashing on a pebble beach, muffled by the sea fogs. This isn’t bright sunshine and surfboards. He writes songs that are beautifully crafted short stories with a fascinating and sometimes poignant cast of characters. He brings his past and his influences to the present. These aren’t a young man’s songs, but they still have a sense of a wide eyed observer of life who hasn’t yet become cynical or self absorbed. They are also songs for these times. We are living in a Covoid 19 lockdown present that couldn’t have been further from any of our minds when these songs were recorded, but they are perfect as stories of resolve and survival, time passes, life changes, all set in a landscape that stays the same. They are yearning without being melancholy, with a gentle and reflective mood which is perfect for these slow listening times. The musical arrangements are enchanting, with traditional Irish flautist Nuala Kennedy and Steth Uvlang of The Lumineers among the guest artists on the album. The title track, 'South of San Gregorio' and 'Table by the Kitchen' with its shimmering violin sound are top tracks as I’m listening now, but I know every song will take its turn. There’s also an unlisted bonus track, 'Candidate’s Handshake'. As with all special albums there is already a mythology around the recording process. It was recorded at the Whispering Pines Studio in Los Angeles, a studio originally built for Sam Cooke in the 60s. Nels Andrews slept on the studio floor for an intense three days of recording the basic tracks, dreaming in technicolor. Nels Andrews should have been touring the Netherlands and UK through April and early May to promote the album. Sadly that tour is now cancelled, but every cloud has a silver lining as I will now do my best to get to see him when it is rearranged.

Track Listing:-

1 Scrimshaw
2 Memory Compass
3 Pigeon & the Crow
4 Holy Water
5 Eastern Poison Oak
6 South of San Gregorio
7 Table by the Kitchen
8 Lions Jaws
9 Welterweight
10 Embassy to the Airport
11 Candidates Handshake

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