Customer Reviews

Alecia Nugent

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Carl Jackson produced this fine album by talented newcomer Alecia Nugent, who is pretty much the only bluegrass artist I can think of offhand who doesn't play an instrument on her album (!) but just lets her voice do the talking for her. (But hey, when you've got Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Ronny McCoury and Ben Isaacs backing you up, then "just" singing seems a whole lot easier! )

The album kicks off with a sweet, hot fiddle riff from Aubrey Haynie, establishing some solid truegrass cred, and while Nugent moves between 'grassy numbers and country-ish heartsongs, she does so with a sense of absolute calm and authenticity... This is a for-real, rural country singer, a roots singer on par with Patty Loveless or Lee Ann Womack, and while you can imagine her easily cracking into the Nashville network, it's pretty darn nice hearing her go the traditional route for now. There are a ton of fine, fine performances on here, with songs by Cordle and Jackson, and several well-chosen oldies. One highlight is Cordle's "You Don't Have To Go Home," a gentle gospel tune featuring a gorgeous three-way harmony between Nugent and guest vocalists Sonya Isaacs and Rhonda Vincent, who have both skirted along the boundaries between the bluegrass and commercial country worlds. With a debut like this, Alecia Nugent is definitely a talent to keep an eye on... Highly recommended!

I,m not particularly a bluegrass fan and never heard of Alecia Nugent until I recently heard her CD playing in a bookstore. Her fabulous voice impressed me, and I went to the music section, put on the headphones, and ended up listing to the entire CD. Wow! I love this CD and Alecia Nugent.

There isn't a weak track here, and the voice is powerful, smooth, and soulful. She clearly merits the favorable comparisons to Rhonda Vincent, who appears on the CD. I heard her live at the Grand Ol Opry singing "Paper and Pen" and she sent chills through the audience, receiving an incredible, screaming/stomping ovation. Absolutely electric. So where's the next CD?

Alecia Nugent is one of the attractive voices heard on bluegrass radio stations. Her style of singing; depth of soul, and refreshing voices adds strength to her songs of love and lost love. Her youth appearance makes her very appealing to a large number of younger listeners. I'll Stay Around, Think of What You've done, and You don't Have to Go Home, are some of the finest songs of this audio CD. Musical support from another young talent Rhonda Vincent and Lynn Howard makes the recordings even more enjoyable. If you are new to bluegrass music and one who is interested to listen to bluegrass you must check this CD out.

This first album for Alecia is a winner. No weak songs. Good mix of bluegrass, gospel and country --- all "heart" music. Alecia's voice is nothing short of stunning and the songs are chosen to flatter it, as they should be. Her range is remarkable. She can go low like no one since Patty Loveless --- without sounding forced at all and never missing a note --- alternating between a plaintive cry and an agressive, confident, throaty trill. And here's a secret: her second album is even better.

ALecia Nugent is destined for greatness. This is an awesome debut CD. It has everything that should be on a CD of this style. Look out for Alecia, she is going to earn her name in the hall of fame.

It's wonderful to finally hear a new bluegrass artist stay original w/out loosing that beutifuly sad mountain sound that I grew up hearing in the Virginia Highlands. Fantastic!

I bought this CD based on the reviews here at Amazon, and overall, I'm glad I did. Alicia is young bluegrass artist with an amazing voice and I'd be surprised if she doesn't go on to have a great music career.

Why not 5 stars? My only complaint is that the record is a bit too smooth. Very well produced by Carl Jackson, who accompanies Alicia on at least one song, and produced the record. He's a fan, no question about that. But there's a sameness to the songs and I find myself wanting a somewhat harder edge. But that's probably a personal taste and many will no doubt be amazed as the virtuosity of her studio players and a wonderful country voice.

Alecia's voice sounds harsh and does not blend well with the music. Unlike other traditional bluegrass artists such as Rhonda Vincent and Claire Lynch, Alecia's voice is quite raspy (and low) and just does not sound good w/ the bluegrass style of music. She needs to take voice lessons or choose a different style of music. When she attempts to hit the high notes her voice sounds screechy. When she harmonizes, it does not sound so bad, but when she's singing alone, it does not sound good at all. The only song that sounds good on the album is "You don't have to go home" and that is only because it is a song where others are harmonizing with her...and this covers her mistakes. The overall album is crummy for a bluegrass album. Furthermore, her song arrangements are rather mediocre and there just isn't anything that grabs your attention. For a good bluegrass album w/ good background music and outstanding vocals, try Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow," "The Grass is Blue", or "Halos and Horns." You could also try Rhonda Vincent (though not as good as Dolly Parton). Claire Lynch and Dale Ann Bradley are good bluegrass singers too. Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain released a wonderful bluegrass album about a year ago and she just about tops in the bluegrass music industry. She has the prettiest voice and it sounds so beautiful w/ the bluegrass music that she sings. If you were only buying 1 album, I would buy Carrie Hassler first. After Carrie Hassler, the second best would be the three Dolly Parton albums I've mentioned above. Claire Lynch and Dale Ann Bradley have good sounding albums too...but only if you have extra money to spend. They are not the best...if you want the best, get Carrie Hassler, Dolly Parton, and Rhonda Vincent. Do not buy Alecia's album...it is a complete waste of money.