Written by Traci Rogers
Aug 11, 2012 at 07:00 PM
ImageBorn with a musical pedigree that reaches from the sacred Hello-ed Walls of the Lone Star state and across the Whiskey River where outlaw musicians drown a lover’s memory, Paula Nelson confirmed she’s more than just her Daddy’s daughter at Pasadena’s Almost Austin Saturday night.

Texas Monthly’s John Morthland observed that “she has the ability to say so much with so few words.”  In retrospect, his 1998 review proves prophetic when he wrote, “. . . even if Paula is still finding her voice, her promise is undeniable . . .”

She kept her promise and more!

Not only has Paula Nelson honed her performing and writing crafts, she also has found just the right synergy with band mates Mark Epstein (bass), Kevin Lance (drums, vocals) and Landis Armstrong (guitar, vocals).  Between the mischievous grins and repartee that the foursome traded throughout the show, her fellow band members added the perfect moods and layered harmonies to Nelson’s lead.  The result:   a signature sound that is unmistakably The Paula Nelson Band.

The feisty, Austin-based singer-songwriter began the evening by showcasing her 2008 Lucky 13 and 2010 Little City albums.

With a voice that sounds like the first rebellious thing you did that actually felt good, she expressed the routine frustrations of nightlife in a “Little City” while Armstrong’s sleepwalking guitar mirrored the afterhours loneliness behind “ . . .you can bet by midnight, all the lost and found are little city’s last call   tonight . . .”  It’s the perfect belly-rubbin’ dancehall number!

Written shortly after Nelson’s divorce, “Surrender” serves up a cold and vengeful  “. . . It’s your turn to cry . . .” with a generous helping of Austin soul.  With the perfect balance, Armstrong picks a low E-string with a heavy pressure that echoes the famous guitar picking style of Paula Nelson’s legacy.

As is often the practice of the broken-hearted, turning to the “Drink” is a favored remedy.  Few female singers get away with wanton drinkin’ songs, but Nelson pulls it off with delightful spite!  Each time she ponders the “. . . wasted time playin’ games, . . .it just reminded me to think of all the reasons left to drink . . .”  Epstein walked his bass on a short leash, underscoring the girls’-night-out sing-along.  Armstrong’s guitar riffs smelled of Stilettos and little black dresses in a smoke-filled blues bar.  If you invest in the CD or download of Little City, prepare for a special guest appearance on the “Drink” track.  The Houston born and bred surprise for this number is an obvious fit!

“That’s the great thing about songwriting,” she told the capacity-filled house, “I have the last word!”

Likewise, she dedicated a sassy “Baby You’re Mean” to “my ex-boyfriends and my future ex-boyfriends!”  She admits “I can’t make you love me,” but she assures the song’s antagonist that “you’ll never forget me.”

In “Rainy Day Friend,” the blonde firecracker acknowledges her friend’s oversized ego in an all take and no give relationship.  Although the slower song is not a drummer’s utopia, Lance proved himself a versatile percussionist by using various time-keeping instruments, including the cowbell!  Of course, the crowd demanded “MORE COWBELL!”  Ready with a fast quip and an impish grin, he indulged us!

ImageSince 2010, Nelson has not written any new material because “Right now I’m so happy.  I’m not miserable! I’m not in a relationship, so I don’t have anything to bitch about!” she expressed with a chuckle in a post-performance interview.

But she has plenty to keep her busy in the absence of a relationship.  In addition to touring, she rescues and adopts abandoned animals, and she also takes a strong interest in anti-bullying causes.  In fact, she has created a web space wherein she invites bullying victims and their families to vent their frustrations in a safe environment.

The band’s website reveals two of its latest recordings of old songs that circumscribed Paula’s life like Willie’s “I Never Cared For You,” and Cash’s “Jackson.”  She even brought along a Jay-Pan fan for the Almost Austin show!

I have never been more impressed with a band’s repertoire of rare covers as I am with The Paula Nelson Band.  Toward the end of the performance, they simply let loose as if they were playing in their own private rehearsal space.

Shortly before Paula returned after intermission, the three fellows took us on a climactic journey through Dick Dale’s “Misirlou.”  I thought Armstrong’s guitar would catch fire before the surfer song ended.  Few spectators remained seated for this one!

Upon Paula’s return, I was blown away by their rendition of Gram Parson’s “Ooh Las Vegas”!  It’s hard to top the harmony of a Parsons/Harris duet, but true to form, The Paula Nelson Band made the song their own with warm, buttery harmonies that the late Grievous Angel would applaud.

Paula treated us to Slim Harpo’s “Te-ni-nee-ni-nu,” a song that Clifford Antone often encouraged Nelson to sing at his legendary Austin venue when she was a teenager.  She then unloaded a bluesy Leon Russell number that gave me goose bumps.

ImageFrom what I witnessed Saturday night, I don’t think Paula Nelson feels the pressure of living up to her father’s celebrity.  Even when performing Willie’s covers, she’s simply having fun on stage by paying tribute to one of her favorite performers who happens to be her father.  Just the same, she and the band indulged the Saturday night audience with their own interpretations of legendary Texas anthems that were popularized by late Lone Star legends like Waylon Jennings, Mickey Newbury and Doug Sahm.

But more importantly, Paula Nelson has undeniably kept her 14-year old promise by finding her own niche in the singer- songwriter world with a pen, raw talent and grace.
Thank you, Paula!  Come back soon!  Houston loves you!

Check out www.paulanelsonband.com for their latest tour schedule and for a sneak preview of their upcoming song releases.

traci@houstonmusicreview.com