Nelson Wright - Ghosts On the Water (2025) Hi-Res

Originally a rural upstate NY artist, Nelson Wright is a songwriter who tells stories. Now based in Seattle, that’s quite a hop, skip & jump. His latest 9 haunt Ghosts On the Water that were recorded in studios in Ferndale & Seattle, WA & produced by musicians Wes Weddell, Alicia Healey & Michael Thomas Connolly.

This effort sounds more old-fashioned in spirit with the narrative “Alcatraz” that kicks off the performance. However, Nelson’s retro folky style is supplemented by what I consider a jazzy guitar. Therein lies what makes this surprisingly superb. It continues with “Stony Ground,” but here Mr. Wright adds flourishes of ‘50s country guitar soundscapes set against an accordion. So again, I give him kudos for originality with a dated style firmly in his fist.

Yes, this material will appeal to particular tastes. But it’s worth exploring since music today is rooted in workable formulaic recipes. Few take chances with sprinkling something challenging into the mix. Track 3, for instance, is a basic country oom-pah-pah tune your grandfather may have danced to, but “My Heart’s Best Tattoo” is sung well by Nelson in his best early ‘60s male vocal style. He’s not Jim Reeves, but the addition of a wonderful female vocalist (not credited specifically on the LP) adds color to the song.

Nelson doesn’t have a strong vocal projection, but his tonality is comfortable for both country & folk music. Nothing overwhelming, but a warm mainstream type of vocal approach. On “The Natchez Trace” (a 444-mile parkway down South), his vitality is captured in an easy-going performance you’d expect from someone like Ray Stevens (“Everything Is Beautiful”) with a little of Eddie Rabbitt (“Drivin’ My Life Away”). Mix the two & Nelson falls in between.

Nelson’s narratives are folky. Songs like “Kindred Spirits” sound like things either Burl Ives or Pete Seeger would do. Campfire songs. Things an elder would sing to children at night while drinking hot chocolate & well after the ghost stories. Nelson isn’t doing anything new with his showcase, but what he’s doing reminds audiences that this style of performance shouldn’t fade away. Even ‘60s folky Joni Mitchell sang in this manner with her “Circle Game” & “Spoony’s Wonderful Adventure.”