Search - Tracy Nelson :: Ebony & Irony

At Long Last!!

Gregor von Kallahann | 05/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've written numerous reviews of Tracy Nelson CDs for Amazon.com and elsewhere. A true believer, I have long felt the need to get the word out about this great but sorely underappreciated singer. There are few artists out there who rival her in terms of soulfulness or power. She is also something of a perfectionist and has, resultantly, often downplayed the quality of her previous releases. One critic once noted that she almost never actively promoted her own recordings on stage, and that seems to have been true for the most part. At most I think I've heard her introduce a song in concert with a passing remark like, "This one's from the new record." And I'd think, "OK, Tracy, tell the folks what the NAME of the record is! They don't ALL scour the stores like I do for anything with your name on it." When I heard that she was extremely happy with this CD, naturally I got excited. As you can see by her own comments below, she is eager to get the word out on this one (and for people to get the title right too--it's shown up in more than one listing as "Ebony & Ivory"). How "ironic" to have potential sales of this wonderful record possibly scuttled by a typo.I received my autographed copy of E&I a week ago and have been playing it virtually non-stop since. As a fan, I love almost all of her recorded works, but I can readily understand why this recording is special to the artist herself. Tracy has never sounded better. She sounds truly energized and committed. From the first track ("You Will Find Me There") on, I could hear playful twists in the phrasing that I've never heard her do before. And some of the tracks, e.g. Mose Allison's jazz standard "How Much Truth," provide whole new ground for this brilliant vocalist to explore. She pulls it all off with aplomb. Some performers make a big deal about "reinventing" themselves by changing their image every now and then. Tracy Nelson reinvents herself with each new song. And ultimately, with her, it's all about the singing. I understand why one of the previous reviewers and some other fans might be a little put off by the eclecticism displayed on this album. Nelson has never ever been a one-genre artist however. It is true that her last label seemed to want her to focus mainly on blues-based material, and it's understandable why. She sings the blues with astonishing power and conviction--but it is not all that she's about. As with Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur and the recently re-surfaced Judy Henske, Nelson is beyond any one musical genre. Her eclecticism is a deeply rooted and genuine one, however. It's clear that she's not just out to put on a variety show.Every track on this CD presents us with a different side of this great singer. She teams up once again with old buddy and former label mate, Marcia Ball for the rollicking "Got A New Truck" and graciously acknowledges a new generation of emerging talent by recording the songs of young artists like Bekka Bramlett (Bonnie and Delaney's daughter) and her Tennessee neighbor Alice Newman, whom she's known since she (Alice) was a child. The latter song, the beautiful "Last Chance" is given an Irish folkie treatment and is just haunting.It's important to stress that the end result is not a mere grab bag of styles: it is a reflection of a complex artist who has come into her own and who will hopefully finally get the audience she deserves."

Underrated Singer Belts Out a Winner

Music Maven to the Max | California | 05/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am one of the few privileged individual who has enjoyed the talents and grace of Tracy Nelson's vocals and song selection for over 30 years. Move over Janis Joplin and Sarah Vaughn. You have met your match and she be Tracy Nelson! This latest album, Ebony and Irony, exceeded my expectations, which were already quite high. Nelson has a song as rich as a dark brewed cup of coffee and as smooth as silk. Her choice of songs on this latest album are steller and ecclectic. From blues to show tunes to Irish ballads, Nelson wraps her voice effortlessly around the heartbreak and joy of each lyric and lifts it to new heights as no other vocalist can.If you are already familiar with the history of Tracy Nelson's solo career, this album will not disappoint. If you have not given her a listen, do not hesitate to take this one home. You will become an instant fan. NOTE: Thank goodness someone had the good sense to re-release Tracy Nelson's wonderful self titled CD last year with "Slow Fall" and "After the Fire is Gone" as well as numerous other gems. If only this artist would get the kudos and noteriety she so richly deserves. Perhaps this latest release will do just that.--Carol Sveilich San Diego"

Tracy Keeps on Truckin'

Charles A Carlino | U.S.A. | 05/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tracy Nelson's voice is a force of nature, and with this 2001 CD, she keeps on delivering the goods. From "Strongest Weakness," a powerful ode to someone who's simply too good to resist, to "Got a New Truck," a playful, rolling anthem that was actually used as the theme to a popular automotive radio call-in show, Tracy stabs each song through the heart and soul with her patented delivery. For fans of real singers (though the curious are welcome to investigate). The real stuff."