Nelson Graham | Graham & Company

The Capital Times, Wisconsin State Journal
RHYTHM SECTION (www.madison.com)
Thursday, December 14, 2000

CD REVIEW BY NATASHA KASSULKE
"Nelson Graham enjoys uplifting, meaningful music, But he also has quite a sense of sassy rural humor.

"In fact, if you like short stories that speak to everything from angry blackbirds to those lawn ornament cut-outs of women bending over, then Graham's new 17-song "Lucky Day" CD will make you smile.

"Graham, a local singer/songwriter/guitarist, calls it "grass-roots music." It's a mix of folk ("Lucky Day"), country ("So Dear"), jazz ("If You Love Me") and fun ("In the Country")as well as serious ("Cry, Rachel,Cry")songs. His songs reflect his experiences, especially rural life.

"Songs such as " In the Country" and "When the Corn Grows" will tug at people with farming roots. Graham, after all, balances his music life with a full-time agricultural career.

"Graham wrote and composed all of the songs for "Lucky Day" except for the moody "Lamplighter," based on a verse by Robert Louis Stevenson, and "The Chair," written by Hank Cochran and Dean Dillon.

"The CD was recorded at Randy's Recording Studio in Cottage Grove and major selling points are Graham's rich voice and intricate sonic details such as the twittering of birds on the opening "Lucky Day."

Each song comes with a brief explanation or dedication in the CD liner notes. "Have a Little Hope,"for example, is Graham's cure for depression, while "Someday" is a late-winter lamentation.

Graham is joined on the CD by a talented bunch of instrumentalists playing everything from accordion to percussion and guitar. There are several guest singers on the CD, including an 18-member chorus, which was conducted by Graham's sister, Nancy Love Graham.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin recieved a percentage of sales of "Lucky Day." The CD may be purchased from Graham directly (graham@nelsongraham.com) or at the Higher Fire Clay Studio on Regent Street in Madison, Wisconsin.