New Release Now Available for Pre-Order
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA (March 24, 2017) – Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally Band have announced the pre-order for their new album, Baby Let’s Take the Long Way Home. Featuring 10 new songs and two choice covers, the collection will arrive April 21 on Whippoorwill Arts. In addition, the single “Baby Let’s Take the Long Way Home” will be available as an instant grat track upon pre-order.
“With a seamless blend of original material and classic country gems, the album marks the beginning of a new journey for these “beloved Bay Area bluegrass stars.”
Nunally is a gifted acoustic guitarist who has won two IBMA Awards, appeared on a Grammy-winning bluegrass album, and recorded soundtracks for films such as The Beverly Hillbillies Movie. He tours and records with David Grisman Bluegrass Experience as well as John Reischman and the Jaybirds. Robinson worked as a non-profit executive before pursuing a music career in her mid-40s.
Friends since 2009, Robinson and Nunally teamed up for a number of projects before falling in love. For Baby Let’s Take the Long Way Home, they rustled up what became their dream team: pedal steel player Pete Grant (The Grateful Dead, Guy Clark), bass fiddle player Jim Kerwin (David Grisman, Red Allen), and percussionist Jon Arkin (Lee Konitz, Gene Perla).
“I feel real fulfillment at this time in my life – in particular working with Jim. With the depth of his talent and experience, and our creative and personal compatibility, I’m living a dream.”
“My inspiration for writing started early on when I started to play music. I’ve just always written songs when an idea comes along, and try to finish it, but there are certainly hundreds of scraps of paper waiting to be songs.”
Some of those scattered scraps along with his melodies were matched to Robinson’s engaging poetry to compose numerous tunes on Baby Let’s Take the Long Way Home. For example, the title track was inspired by trading Interstate 5 for a more scenic route on the way home from Los Angeles. The enticing lyrics of “I Hear a Southwind” float above lovely pedal steel, while “Tempest” is a moody, elegant narrative inspired by Michael Ondaatje’s novel The Cat’s Table.
The only two covers on the new album, “Jump the Mississippi” and “Pardon Me,” tip their hats to classic country duos, George Jones and Melba Montgomery, and Jim and Jesse McReynolds.
Nell Robinson and Jim Nunally have appeared at Folk Alliance International, Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, PBS series Music Gone Public, Kate Wolf Music Festival, and Strawberry Music Festival.
READ THE REVIEWS:
“Credit Nell Robinson and Jim Nunally for offering up a take on traditional Americana that rings with authenticity.”
“Combining jazz and bluegrass with some folky blues thrown in, this is true roots music at its best.”
“The Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally Band is a breath of fresh air, familiar but intelligent lyrics and with a melody you will want to remember.”