Life Don’t Miss Nobody
BMG, 2023
8/10
Listen to Life Don’t Miss Nobody
The legendary roots singer Tracy Nelson returns with her first album in over a decade, and she’s got some well known guests along for the songs that tell the story of her humble beginnings to world wide fame.
“Strange Things Happening Every Day” opens the listen with John Gardner’s animated drums and Byron House’s frisky upright bass making for an upbeat and swinging climate that showcases Nelson’s soulful, booming voice, and “There Is Always One More Time” follows with Mickey Raphael’s emotive harmonica adding much to the cautious, poetic beauty.
Halfway through, “Yonder Come The Blues” showcases Steve Conn’s warm piano and Doug Mosher’s soothing clarinet that complements Nelson’s cozy voice, while the upbeat shuffling of “Honky Tonkin’” welcomes Willie Nelson’s inimitable pipes to the lively energy.
Close to the end, “Where Do You Go (When You Can’t Go Home)” finds itself in gospel territory thanks to the precise backing vocals from Dianne Davidson, Vickie Carrico, Reba Russell, and Issac Ferguson Dillard, and a solo version of “Hard Times” exits with Nelson’s stirring voice and acoustic 12 string finishing the listen with much sincerity.
A very diverse effort that illustrates a wealth of talent and experience, let’s hope it isn’t another 10 years before Nelson makes music, cause her forthright song craft is much needed during these often turbulent times.
Travels well with: Meredith Moon- Constellations; Lynn Miles- TumbleTweedyWorld