Nelson Wright – StillBurning
2012, Nelson WrightWhat can you say about a folk singer whose photo appears onthe cover of the classic Woodstockalbum and whose inventions are in the Smithsonian? You’re certain to think of much to say aboutNelson Wright as you listen to his album StillBurning. The northeast U.S. nativeand northwest émigré is thriving in Seattle’s nouveau art-folk music scene. Wright trades on the currency of well-writtensongs and artfully delivered stories that bring people, places and moments tolife with flashes of intelligence and wit.
Wright kicks off with “Worse Things”, a deliciously bluesyfolk love song that recounts all the ways his life could be worse than beingwith the one he loves. Wright’s roughhewn voice fits perfectly amidst his rather prodigious guitar riffs, and hissense of humor is somewhere between Lyle Lovett and Randy Newman. Wright paints a picture of a roadhouse and ayoung lady looking for a way out in “Five Feet Under”. If the name implies that something doesn’tquite measure up, the story confirms this as fact. It’s a tale youth escaping from desolationand pain through music. The resolutionis, perhaps, a continuing story, but there are sufficient tension and potentialplot lines to turn the song into a movie.Nelson Wright displays a unique ability to spin tales insong. “Time To Choose” takes a slightlydifferent tack, laying out the story of a relationship on the edge in one-sideddialogue. The vocal lines areaccompanied and occasionally broken by some heartbreaking electric blues riffson guitar. Angst, anger and pain arewrapped up in each tremulous note as they crash upon the shore ofindecision. “No Second Chances” followsa more traditional folk route, exploring with melancholy air the transitivenature of relationships and the fact that those lost rarely come back. Wright mixes melancholy and regret here withan almost clinical nature; a knowing observation in song.
In “Red Wing”, Wright recalls a brief liaison from hisyounger days with sadness: “there are tricks that time can play; the cruelestone is called regret.” The image of awhite sun dress becomes the icon of a magic moment that can never be recovered,but will always live in his mind. “Burnin’” explores heartbreak from a gritty, dysfunctionalperspective. He’s trying to shake herand knows she’s nothing but heartbreak, but can’t put out the fire inside. There’s a sense of urgency here that’spalpable, drawn out in the edgy blues/folk guitar work, and little resolutionin the end. It’s a well-written tunethat leaves the listener on the edge that the singer seems to feel.“It Ends With My Longing For You” may well be a continuationof the same story written with the perspective of time. Where “Burnin’” is in the immediate aftermathand is full of the urgent longing of heartbreak, “It Ends With My Longing ForYou” is written perhaps years later from a depth of melancholy andunderstanding. The contrast of the twosongs is appealing, and Wright particularly nails the melody on the lattersong.
“February Thaw” is an intriguing little song aboutunrequited love. The songwriter falls inlove with someone whose heart has been made cold by experience and is simplywaiting for the weather to change. Thissong is a thing of beauty, written in the plaintive but determined tones of aman who intends to wait out the winter no matter how long it takes. “Trouble In Mind” tells a story of young loveagainst the backdrop of a vibrant Zydeco-fueled arrangement. The song is catchy and vibrant, and thedueling guitar and violin solos threaten to rip the roof off of wherever theyare played. After spending much of“Still Burnin’” exploring stories of love lost or faded, Wright finishes offwith a story about today. “UnfinishedBusiness” finds Wright headed out with nothing but a picture of the woman heloves. His intent; to find her andfinished what they once left behind. It’s a carpe diem song, of sorts, but with a very personalinvestment. The song is well-written andfull of heart.Nelson Wright crafts songs born from experience, deepthought, and ultimately, from the heart. There isn’t a moment on “Still Burnin’” that isn’t somehow tinged withpersonal experiences. Wright eschewscynicism and theatrics, focusing on the truths each moment brings as he seesthem, occasionally moving around in time to offer different perspectives on thesame theme. The conclusion is that permanenceis what we make of it, or as Wright sings, “there ain’t no forever, there’sonly never lettin’ go.” These simpletruths are delivered in a mix of arrangements simple and complex, but full ofthe simple beauty of pure heart.
Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)Learn more at www.nelsonwright.org.
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