Tracy Nelson was one of the major blues mamas of the hippie era, a real song-belter who is best known for her earthshaking rendition of "Down So Low," originally recorded with her band Mother Earth. In the decades since, she's established herself as a soulful survivor and a blues-scene elder, still belting 'em out with a powerful voice and indomitable spirit. Here's a quick look at her work...
Tracy Nelson "Deep Are The Roots" (Prestige Records, 1965) (LP)
(Produced by Samuel Charters)
Mother Earth "Living With The Animals" (Mercury Records, 1968) (LP)
(Produced by Don Healy & Mark Naftalin)
Mother Earth "Make A Joyful Noise" (Mercury Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Scotty Moore, Tracy Nelson & Travis Rivers)
Mother Earth "Presents Tracy Nelson Country" (Mercury Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Pete Drake & Scotty Moore)
Nelson avoided getting too boxed in by her blues-and-boogie rock persona, breaking out into pure country on this showcase set, which included covers of country gems such as Don Gibson's "Blue, Blue Day," "Sad Situation," a little bit of Hank Williams and Buck Owens, and of course a few "girl" standards like "I Fall To Pieces" and "Stand By Your Man." This also includes an early Boz Scaggs song, the country-flavored "Now You're Gone," which Scaggs recorded himself the same year; Scaggs had also played with Mother Earth, including some session work on the Make A Joyful Noise album.
Mother Earth "Satisfied" (Mercury Records, 1970) (LP)
(Produced by Travis Rivers & Charlie Tallent)
Mother Earth "Bring Me Home" (Warner/Reprise Records, 1971) (LP)
(Produced by Travis Rivers & Charlie Tallent)
Tracy Nelson "Mother Earth" (Warner/Reprise Records, 1972) (LP)
(Produced by Gene Eichelberger & Travis Rivers)
Tracy Nelson "Poor Man's Paradise" (Columbia Records, 1973) (LP)
(Produced by Travis Rivers & Ben Tallent)
Tracy Nelson "Tracy Nelson" (Atlantic Records, 1974) (LP)
(Produced by Bob Johnson)
A heavy mix of country and soul, with plenty of top talent, including a few surprising participants such as Nashville super-picker Mac Gayden, superstar backup singer Mary Clayton and guitarist Ron Cornelius, who had moved from backing Bob Dylan in the 'Sixties to anchoring Leonard Cohen's road band for most of the 'Seventies. Most prestigious, though, is the presence of New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, who provided the horn arrangements. A lot of potent, show-stopping vocal numbers on here, including covers of "After The Fire Is Gone," Dylan's "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry," the Bill Withers hit, "Lean On Me" and Nelson's version of the Eric Kaz weeper, "Love Has No Pride," which gave Bonnie Raitt a little competition. Nelson also revisits her own signature song, "Down So Low," delivering a sizzling, slow-burn remake which is only slightly marred by some clunky drumming. Pretty solid.
Tracy Nelson "Sweet Soul Music" (MCA Records, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Bob Johnson & Ben Tallent)
Though the emphasis is on soul music, Nelson still has room to squeeze in country pros like fiddler Johnny Gimble and steel player Pete Drake, and again has Ron Cornelius helping anchor the band.
Tracy Nelson "Time Is On My Side" (MCA Records, 1976) (LP)
(Produced by Jimmy Bowen)
Tracy Nelson "Doin' It My Way!" (Audio Directions, 1978) (LP)
(Produced by Tracy Nelson & Gene Eichelburger)
Tracy Nelson "Homemade Songs" (Flying Fish Records, 1978) (LP)
(Produced by Travis Rivers & Don Cobb)
Tracy Nelson "Come See About Me" (Flying Fish Records, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Travis Rivers)
Nice singing, I guess, but the slick pop-soul production and the meticulous, controlled feel of the music is a definite turnoff. Nelson never really cuts loose on any tracks, or digs into the earthy, gritty blues that made her early stuff so much fun. Plus, wimpy disco riffs: meh. I guess there's a Muscle Shoals thing going on that might appeal to the more R&B-ish among us, but this slick set didn't do much for me.
Tracy Nelson "In The Here And Now" (Rounder Records, 1993)
(Produced by Tommy Goldsmith)
Tracy Nelson "I Feel So Good" (Rounder Records, 1995)
(Produced by Tommy Goldsmith)
Sort of a standard-issue modern blues disc... Nelson dips into a more acoustic vibe on a couple of tunes, but she doesn't really linger there; mostly it's louder, harder, slicker blues-and-soul arrangements. It's played with energy and enthusiasm, but not my kinda style.
Tracy Nelson "Move On" (Rounder Records, 1996)
Tracy Nelson/Marcia Ball/Irma Thomas "Sing It!" (1998)
Tracy Nelson "Ebony And Ivory" (Eclectic Records, 2001)
Tracy Nelson "Live From Cell Block D" (Memphis International, 2003)
(Produced by David Less)
I bet the fellas at the West Tennessee Detention Center had fun when Tracy came to entertain the troops... This is a nice, solid house-rockin' set, with lots of the same old favorites ("Down So Low," etc.) and a few nice new surprises (a rough live version of "Got A New Truck..."). This was a little too modern-blues for me, but it's still a nice set from one of the grand dames of rowdy roadhouse blues. (PS - yes, someday, I'll get off my duff and write up a proper profile of Ms. Nelson, whose work in the early 1970s helped lay the groundwork for modern blues-roots gal singing... I promise!)
Tracy Nelson "You'll Never Be A Stranger At My Door" (Memphis International, 2007)
Much as I hate to say it, I'm just not feeling the power this time around... Four decades into her career, Nelson's still got deep, deep roots, but her voice has thickened considerably and she's gotta work pretty hard to get the old mojo flowing. Here she tackles some great oldies -- "The Cow-Cow Boogie," Ernest Tubb's "Thanks A Lot," Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me," "I Still Miss Someone," and some new tunes as well, like "Salt Of The Earth," which features guest vocals from Guy Clark. Guitarist Fats Kaplin adds some sweet licks, and all things considered, this is a pretty strong set. It's a heartfelt effort from a pioneer of the Americana movement, and old-time fans will probably be psyched to hear her back in action. Still, it's a little too raspy for me, though, so I guess I'll pass on this one. Worth checking out, though, especially if you're in a somewhat folkie mood.
Tracy Nelson "Victim Of The Blues" (Delta Groove Music, 2011)
(Produced by Mike Dysinger)
Tracy Nelson "Life Don't Miss Nobody" (BMG Records, 2023)
(Produced by Roger Alan Nichols)
Tracy Nelson "The Best Of Tracy Nelson & Mother Earth" (Warner Music, 1996)
