“The talking tracks within this album contribute a unique flavor which is not often seen in today’s mainstream music. Seven of the twenty-one tracks are field recordings of her family exchanging tales passed down through the generations. Robinson’s inclusion of five original pieces gives validity to her songwriting skills. Her mixture of creative songwriting, top notch musicianship, and comical stories allows her to achieve her goal of connecting with fans. Both witty and sweet.” John Goad, Bluegrass Today
Reviews
Reviews Right Column
“The originals are wonderful, and the old songs with Robinson's sharp arrangements are even more so. If you want to reminisce about country life in the '30s and '40s, if you want songs with strong feelings, if you want pieces that are just plain crazy, Robinson delivers beautifully.” Frank Roberts, CBS News
“In country music terms the South has “risen again”
with singer Nell Robinson. Her first disc released in 2009, Loango, charted on the bluegrass/ Americana charts in America, and now we have a stunning second helping. One of the many highlights on this disc is Mayflies.
Woe Is Me is a new blues song, a Nell Robinson original. Another original is Don’t Light My Fire, a light Cajun
duet romp, with accordion. With this amazing disc Nell Robinson’s love of her Southern heritage, God, family
and real country music shines through. She is a beacon
of hope in our very corrupt modern world.”
Paul Riley, Country Music People
“Bluegrass fans need to sit up and take notice: Nell Robinson's debut album was no fluke. On The Brooklyn Road establishes the artist as a force to be reckoned with in roots music (and) should be in the music collection of every lover of Americana and bluegrass music.” Country Chart
“Nell has a warm, bouncy voice that reminds this reviewer a bit of Iris Dement. She performs with many of the best musicians in the West: John Reischman and the Jaybirds, Tony Marcus, Chad Manning, Laurie Lewis , Rob Ickes, Keith Little, (and) Jim Nunally co-writes, sings, and plays guitar.”
SAG, Bluegrass Unlimited
“Robinson’s sultry vocals hold their own very well, she is backed by some of the best contemporary bluegrass and American folk players including Jim Nunally, Laurie Lewis, John Reischman (The Jaybirds), Keith Little and Rob Ickes. Check out this charming cd; bonus tracks feature Robinson’s yodeling sister act, The Henriettas.” S. Marx, Record Department
“A first-rate downhome vocalist, Robinson sings in a crisp, soulful alto-soprano that richly serves the material, a mix of originals, traditional and modern folk, and mid-century country. The album has everything and everybody in the place they need to be. Robinson's way with a song takes her convincingly through sorrow, comedy, and all points between.”
Jerome Clark, Rambles
“This southern, musical storyteller brings a lived-in
sound to her take on Americana. Bringing an indigenous, home grown sound to the form it’s easy to hear the
heartland lineages from Hazel Dickens to Lucinda
Williams in her sound and style. Surrounding herself
with top new and nu grass pickers, this the stellar
kind of back porch record that leaves a real and positive impact on the listener. Loaded with coloring outside
the lines charm, this is just want you want to be listening to when you need to take a break from the city and
head out to the country, if only in your mind. Well done.”
Chris Spector, Midwest Record
“Nell Robinson can play and sing bluegrass as well as anyone, and she proves it here. But Robinson is not bound by it. On the Brooklyn Road is a set of songs inspired by Robinson’s family history and lore, and the music moves back and forth in time with the stories.” OLIVER DIPLACE
