Gary Nicholson - The Great Divide  

(Blue Corn Music, 2019)

 

For his latest solo effort, Nicholson turns his attention to the many issues facing our nation. Like many Americans, he is struggling to make sense of how things have become so fractured and divisive. His carefully chosen lyrics often break issues down to their basic level, leaving it to listeners to ponder why it is easier to live with hate rather than respect, if not love. Much of the instrumental backing is acoustic, which deepens the introspective nature of the recording. Nicholson’s smooth vocals serve to bring life to his messages, adding his acoustic guitar to the instrumental mix."  – Mark Thompson / Blues Blast 

 

Personnel:

• Gary Nicholson - acoustic guitars, vocals

• John Jorgenson - acoustic guitar on 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10;  electric guitar on 4, 5, 11;  resonator guitar on 5, 6; 12-string guitar on 2, 11; percussion on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10; mandolin on 2, 3, 4, 8; Wurlitzer electric piano on 2; Hammond B3 organ on 2, 5, 8, 11; autoharp on 2; saxophones on 4; backing vocals on 5

• John Cowan - backing vocals on 2, 3, 4, 10, 11

• Ruthie Foster - guest vocal on 1

• The McCrary Sisters (Regins, Ann, Freda) - backing vocals on 7

• Siobhan Kennedy - backing vocals on 6, 8, 11

• Shawn Camp - acoustic guitar on 4

• Dan Dugmore - steel guitar on 10

• Lynn Williams - drums on 4, 6, 7; percussion on 4, 11 

• Steve Mackey - bass on 4, 6, 7

• Jim Hoke - accordion, harmonica on 3, 4, 6, 8

• Joe Robinson - nylon string guitar on 1, 11

• Carmella Ramsey - fiddle on 8

• Kenny Vaughan - electric guitar on 7

• Catherine Marks - piano and Hammond B3 on 7

• Colin Linden - electric resonator guitar on 9

• Harry Stinson - drums on 11

• Glen Worf - bass on 11

• Kirk "Jellyroll" Johnson - harmonica on 9

• Chris Carmichael - string quartet on 1

 

Songs by Gary Nicholson except "Soft Spot," written with Allen Shamblin, "We Are One," written with Ana Egge, and "Nineteen," written with Jeffery Steele and Tom Hambridge.

 

Extra thanks to Barbara Nicholson, John Jorgenson, Ray Kennedy, Denby Auble, Stacie Huckeba and Cary Baker

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Ray Stephenson - cover art; Stacie Huckeba - photography; Jami Davis - design