{"id":758,"date":"2012-08-11T20:00:32","date_gmt":"2012-08-11T20:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/216.71.127.204\/wordpress\/?p=758"},"modified":"2015-10-13T16:22:56","modified_gmt":"2015-10-13T16:22:56","slug":"paula-nelson-almost-austin-pasadena-tx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2012\/08\/11\/paula-nelson-almost-austin-pasadena-tx\/","title":{"rendered":"Paula Nelson – Almost Austin – Pasadena, TX"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
Written by Traci Rogers <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aug 11, 2012 at 07:00 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Image\"Born 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\u2019s memory, Paula Nelson confirmed she\u2019s more than just her Daddy\u2019s daughter at Pasadena\u2019s Almost Austin Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Texas Monthly\u2019s<\/em> John Morthland observed that \u201cshe has the ability to say so much with so few words.\u201d\u00a0 In retrospect, his 1998 review proves prophetic when he wrote, \u201c. . . even if Paula is still finding her voice, her promise is undeniable . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

She kept her promise and more!<\/p>\n

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).\u00a0 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\u2019s lead.\u00a0 The result:\u00a0\u00a0 a signature sound that is unmistakably The Paula Nelson Band.<\/p>\n

The feisty, Austin-based singer-songwriter began the evening by showcasing her 2008 Lucky 13<\/em> and 2010 Little City<\/em> albums.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cLittle City\u201d while Armstrong\u2019s sleepwalking guitar mirrored the afterhours loneliness behind\u00a0\u201c . . .you can bet by midnight, all the lost and found are little city\u2019s last call\u00a0\u00a0 tonight . . .\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s the perfect belly-rubbin\u2019 dancehall number!<\/p>\n

Written shortly after Nelson\u2019s divorce, \u201cSurrender\u201d serves up a cold and vengeful\u00a0 \u201c. . . It\u2019s your turn to cry . . .\u201d with a generous helping of Austin soul.\u00a0 With the perfect balance, Armstrong picks a low E-string with a heavy pressure that echoes the famous guitar picking style of Paula Nelson\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n

As is often the practice of the broken-hearted, turning to the \u201cDrink\u201d is a favored remedy.\u00a0 Few female singers get away with wanton drinkin\u2019 songs, but Nelson pulls it off with delightful spite!\u00a0 Each time she ponders the \u201c. . . wasted time playin\u2019 games, . . .it just reminded me to think of all the reasons left to drink . . .\u201d\u00a0 Epstein walked his bass on a short leash, underscoring the girls\u2019-night-out sing-along.\u00a0 Armstrong\u2019s guitar riffs smelled of Stilettos and little black dresses in a smoke-filled blues bar.\u00a0 If you invest in the CD or download of Little City<\/em>, prepare for a special guest appearance on the \u201cDrink\u201d track.\u00a0 The Houston born and bred surprise for this number is an obvious fit!<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the great thing about songwriting,\u201d she told the capacity-filled house, \u201cI have the last word!\u201d<\/p>\n

Likewise, she dedicated a sassy \u201cBaby You\u2019re Mean\u201d to \u201cmy ex-boyfriends and my future ex-boyfriends!\u201d\u00a0 She admits \u201cI can\u2019t make you love me,\u201d but she assures the song\u2019s antagonist that \u201cyou\u2019ll never forget me.\u201d<\/p>\n

In \u201cRainy Day Friend,\u201d the blonde firecracker acknowledges her friend\u2019s oversized ego in an all take and no give relationship.\u00a0 Although the slower song is not a drummer\u2019s utopia, Lance proved himself a versatile percussionist by using various time-keeping instruments, including the cowbell!\u00a0 Of course, the crowd demanded \u201cMORE COWBELL!\u201d\u00a0 Ready with a fast quip and an impish grin, he indulged us!<\/p>\n

\"Image\"Since 2010, Nelson has not written any new material because \u201cRight now I\u2019m so happy.\u00a0 I\u2019m not miserable! I\u2019m not in a relationship, so I don\u2019t have anything to bitch about!\u201d she expressed with a chuckle in a post-performance interview.<\/p>\n

But she has plenty to keep her busy in the absence of a relationship.\u00a0 In addition to touring, she rescues and adopts abandoned animals, and she also takes a strong interest in anti-bullying causes.\u00a0 In fact, she has created a web space wherein she invites bullying victims and their families to vent their frustrations in a safe environment.<\/p>\n

The band\u2019s website reveals two of its latest recordings of old songs that circumscribed Paula\u2019s life like Willie\u2019s \u201cI Never Cared For You,\u201d and Cash\u2019s \u201cJackson.\u201d\u00a0 She even brought along a Jay-Pan fan for the Almost Austin show!<\/p>\n

I have never been more impressed with a band\u2019s repertoire of rare covers as I am with The Paula Nelson Band.\u00a0 Toward the end of the performance, they simply let loose as if they were playing in their own private rehearsal space.<\/p>\n

Shortly before Paula returned after intermission, the three fellows took us on a climactic journey through Dick Dale\u2019s \u201cMisirlou.\u201d\u00a0 I thought Armstrong\u2019s guitar would catch fire before the surfer song ended.\u00a0 Few spectators remained seated for this one!<\/p>\n

Upon Paula\u2019s return, I was blown away by their rendition of Gram Parson\u2019s \u201cOoh Las Vegas\u201d!\u00a0 It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Paula treated us to Slim Harpo\u2019s \u201cTe-ni-nee-ni-nu,\u201d a song that Clifford Antone often encouraged Nelson to sing at his legendary Austin venue when she was a teenager.\u00a0 She then unloaded a bluesy Leon Russell number that gave me goose bumps.<\/p>\n

\"Image\"From what I witnessed Saturday night, I don\u2019t think Paula Nelson feels the pressure of living up to her father\u2019s celebrity.\u00a0 Even when performing Willie\u2019s covers, she\u2019s simply having fun on stage by paying tribute to one of her favorite performers who happens to be her father.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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.
\nThank you, Paula!\u00a0 Come back soon!\u00a0 Houston loves you!<\/p>\n

Check out www.paulanelsonband.com<\/span><\/u><\/a> for their latest tour schedule and for a sneak preview of their upcoming song releases.<\/p>\n

<\/u>traci@houstonmusicreview.com<\/span><\/u><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Traci Rogers Aug 11, 2012 at 07:00 PM Born 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\u2019s memory, Paula Nelson confirmed she\u2019s more than just her Daddy\u2019s daughter at Pasadena\u2019s Almost Austin Saturday night…. <\/p>\n

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