Jeb Loy Nichols - Lovers Knot (CD)

All Music Guide

The hallmark of popular American music in the second half of the 20th century was a variety of fusions between rhythm blues and country western. On Lovers Knot, Jeb Loy Nichols fits the pieces together in a new and fresh way. His intimate drawl and the banjo picking out time carry the country side of the equation; the horns, gospel-group backing vocals, and funky drum hold up the RB end. An amazing cast of guest musicians aids the project: John Medeski from Medeski, Martin Wood on organ, Curtis Fowlkes from The Jazz Passengers playing trombone and providing horn arrangements, the Sherman Brothers and Sonya Cohen backing up Nichols on vocals. Nichols-originals; all are love songs tinged with melancholy, but they're never morbid. "As the Rain" and "Dark Hollow" really pull you in with soulful hooks and keep you wanting more with rhythm-banjo playing. "Our Good Good Thing (Just Gets Better)" could be a happy sequel to the Eagles' "I Can't Tell You Why." If you imagine that country musi...c had allowed itself to be more influenced by black music and that it had not gone "Hollywood," this is what might have resulted. The last three out of the ten tracks are a little weak and the album is only 38 minutes long, so make sure you don't overpay, but don't miss this inventive and emotional disc. - Kurt Keefner, All Music Guide Read more Less