Saint Of Second Chances
Pravda, 2023
8/10
Listen to Saint Of Second Chances
The Chicago singer-songwriter Nathan Graham makes a sizable impression with this debut album, where his South Side blues and Nashville Americana unfold with a soulful quality that places him in some excellent company.
“Pride” leads the listen with Cody Messick’s gritty electric guitar, as the soulful female backing vocals complement Graham’s soaring voice and the thick key presence, and “Fake Friends” follows with a hint of gospel alongside Michael J. Maimone’s lively piano and Ian Tsan’s thumping drums.
In the middle, the groove filled “Right One” uses John MacNeil’s bass superbly via the dreamy climate, while “Worrying My Life” flirts with R&B sensibilities amid the cozy textures of the retro flavor.
Approaching the end, “Already Won” spotlights the bright keys and welcomes some classic rock nods in the expressive album highlight, and “I’ll Get It Right” exits with Dorian Gehring’s pedal steel adding much personality to the lush Americana leanings.
An artist who was raised on Prince and Earth, Wind & Fire, Graham has an impressive resume as a hired gun on guitar, and this first effort as frontman certainly makes him a voice that warrants plenty of praise.
Travels well with: The Handcuffs- Burn The Rails; Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends- Just Fade Away