Album review: NICOLE ATKINS – Goodnight Rhonda Lee

Single Lock Records [Release date 21.07.17]

Nicole Atkins returns with her fourth album and one recorded against a backdrop of personal issues as she stopped drinking and finding out her dad as lung cancer. Often such life changing events can help an artist dig deep and come out with some of their best work, as has happened for Nicole Atkins on this album. From the album’s opening song ‘A Little Crazy’ - a perfect piece of pop with a country air – you know you are in for a good listen.

What I like about the album is the musical variety, one minute we have the soul/funk of ‘Listen Up’ (which picks up on an album theme of picking yourself up and learning from past mistakes), then the fantastic 50′s feel of the title track (you can hear on this one where her musical friend Chris Isaak may have had an influence).

‘Colors’ is deeply personal song, with the heartfelt vocals of Nicole backed by piano and mournful strings. ‘I Love Living Here (Even When I Don’t)’, many can relate to as where they live may not be great, but its home and not that bad, well unless you live in say Feltham… A song that keeps on giving out little musical nuances every time you listen to it, be it the backing vocals, swirling organ or the soulful brass.

Nicole Atkins is back on track and with her latest album she will hopefully gain the plaudits and success her singing and songs deserve. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)