John Nelson songwriter guitarist singer instrumentalist reviews, Seattle Times, Victory Music Review

Reviews...

Tengo Ranchito

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 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)

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!

- Tom Petersen (Victory Music November 2007)

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 All 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!
Rootsville (Belgium)

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 (JJC) Le CRI DU COYOTE October/November 2008

Soliloquy

Seattle Times -

Guitarist's soulful music soothes ailing children -
For Seattle musician John Nelson, life really does inspire art. Every week, with guitar in hand, Nelson performs at the bedside of infants and children at Seattle's Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center.
"It's really gratifying for me. It's given me the opportunity to give something back, "said Nelson, who has been volunteering at the hospital for 2 1/2 years. "It's very deep to be with people in that environment."
The experiences at Children's Hospital inspired Nelson's first full-length instrumental recording, "Soliloquy." The Album, which is mostly acoustic guitar, consists of gentle, sweeping music that is at once calming and inspirational.
The self-taught musician, who has been playing guitar for nearly four decades, is also a composer who brings an array of musical tastes, from rock to world beat, jazz and folk, to his work. Nelson brings music to the people through regular performances at cafes around the Seattle area, including Ravenna Third Place Books and Honey Bear Cafe. (October 12, 2003)
See the original "Sound Off" review here.

Victory Review Acoustic Music Magazine- (September 2003)

John Nelson is a versatile guitarist whose playing ranges from rock'n'roll to rock-a-billy to the exquisitely gentle contemplative music that fills this, his first solo CD. Nelson has spent a great deal of time in the studio as producer and arranger, working with a remarkable range of musicians. He also spends a good deal of time at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, playing for the patients, their families and the staff that cares for them, and this CD is dedicated to them, calling them the inspiration for his songs. Clearly, there has been a richly loving and emotional interaction between the patients and their caregivers and Nelson's playing. This is one of the most gratifying solo guitar sets in some time - sweet, surprisingly simple, touching - a great companion to nearly any of your daily (or nightly) activities and a delicious listen like letting your eyes dwell on a campfire or waterfall. The word that keeps coming to mind is "care". You are likely to care deeply for this set. - (Bill Fisher) Victory Music

CD Baby

This CD is exquisite. Each piece has its own set of colors, its own voice, and allows the listener to dance, hum, or look inward. No two songs are alike, and this continuum of surprise compels the listener to appreciate the entire work. John Nelson's skill as a guitarist, composer and performer leave the listener more than satisfied. The music travels from folk song tradition to jazz, gypsy and almost classical. It only enhances the beauty of each piece to know that much of the music was inspired by children making their journeys through illness, children John knows and plays for at Seattles Childrens Orthopedic Hospital. It is a rare, must have collection by a stunningly talented, insightful musician. - (Caroline Aaron) CDbaby.com

The Light Connection - (September 2004)

Soliloquy is the telling work of a man who has devoted himself to assisting others in their healing process. Soothing and inspirational, his solo guitar provides a gentle experience that frees the mind and invites the soul to do its healing work.
This collection of guitar instrumentals combines meditative themes and varying time signatures to produce a spacious feel and an embracing sound. It also works well as gentle background music.
"For Seattle musician John Nelson, life really does inspire art," reports the Seattle Times (Oct. 2003). "Every week, with guitar in hand, Nelson performs at Seattle's Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center."
"It's really gratifying for me," says Nelson, a self taught musician and composer. "It gives me the opportunity to give something back."

New Age Retailer Magazine - (October 2003 Issue)

The simple sleeve packaging for Soliloquy belies John Nelson's soothing, talented, and original guitar work. Offering ensemble and solo instrumentals, his latest CD was inspired by the patients and staff at Children's Hospital in Seattle, where he performs regularly. The recording quality of Soliloquy is professional and intimate, clearly revealing Nelson's emotional connection with his original audience. The melody on "Rondelay" gracefully circles round and round, while "Island Waltz" takes listeners on an easy autumn journey through the San Juans of Puget Sound. This music is equally calming and inspiring. Play Soliloquy in your store to promote this accomplished indie artist and to amp your music sales. New Age Retailer

Coast Bound Train

Schwennsen & Nelson have been making music together and with other Puget Sound-area heavy hitters for years and years, and they've reached a wonderful, amazing place with their music: a place where the roots they dug up and the roots they planted themselves a couple decades ago have intertwined completely. Coast Bound Train is a great record, one that sounds very different each time it's played. It stands up to serious musical scrutiny, it works as a "headphones" record, it works in the car. Schwennsen & Nelson play "loose/tight", with their two guitars busily searching out completely different approaches to rhythm and melody yet somehow always complementing each other; their duet singing is most often a dual lead, though sometimes there's what the doo-whoppers used to call "fishin' harmony". It all sounds very loose, but the realization builds that these two are really inside each others' heads. The album is arranged that way, too, with the laid back, jangly tunes on what would have been side one of vinyl, and tighter, more rockin' material on "side two". There's a vinyl vibe on Coast Bound Train, sure, but that's only the roots showing. The songs are about mature relationships and things that grown ups think about in 2005, without any brooding about what's past and gone. If the music happens to occasionally remind us adults of, say, Brewer and Shipley, well that's OK and it's about time somebody did! The album is tastefully produced and handsomely packaged and was made with worthy cameo appearances by the legendary Alice Stuart and fiddle ace Jon Parry, back in town to help his buddies. Go get it.
(Tom Petersen) Victory Music July 2005