Man On A Mission
Mountain Home, 2021
8/10
A singer-songwriter and mandolin player, Darren Nicholson blends country, bluegrass, roots and rock’n’roll into a very appealing formula on this impressive EP.
“Love Is War” opens the listen with flowing strings that emit much beauty from the banjo and fiddle before a firm country-rock approach enters, and “Southern Ground” follows with Nicholson’s smooth pipes guiding the intricate keys
At the halfway point, “Them Hateful Woman Blues” is full of melodic keys and strings, thumping drums and Nicholson’s rugged yet tuneful pipes, while “The Fool For You Is Me” offers a twang friendly and heartfelt album highlight.
Further still, “All Night Long” offers a warm ballad of poetic song craft, and “Man On A Mission” exits the listen with harmonies from Leeda Lyric Jones as a R&B spirit enters the thoughtful exit.
If you’re familiar with Balsam Range, you’ve already heard Nicholson’s work, and his festive, rockabilly nods are certainly appreciated here, just as the more intimate moments are, on this universally enjoyable listen that spans the breadth of human emotion.
Travels well with: The Grascals- Up All Night; Chuck Wagon Gang- Radio Days