Customer Reviews

Love and China

5 star:		(6)
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Wow! I heard this CD at the Iron Horse in Northampton back in the fall (they were playing it before an Erin McKeown show) and I was in awe...This was something new by the Nields, yet something *old* I thought. I asked the waitress if it was the Nields and she said it was a new cd by Katryna and Nerissa Nields and would be coming out in March. I couldn't wait to get my own copy! Finally I got it for my birthday this past weekend and it has proven to be the best gift I have received! This is the kind of music and the sound that originally drew me to this fabulous duo. They have such a wonderful sound combined: harmonies and arrangements. I have always enjoyed when they played old 'cowboy' tunes in concert (ie: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry), they do such a wonderful job and truly sing from their hearts when they cover old songs. This collection of songs is truly sung from the heart. Some of the songs remind me of Patsy Cline tunes and Hank Williams melodies. They are simple, yet full of power, soul and color. They should continue to make this kind of music...old, country-folk tunes. The rock/pop thay they have created, although good, pales in comparison to this type of songwriting and production. I can't stop listening!

Nerissa and Katryna Nields' "Love and China" is a beautiful journey of a collection of songs, ranging from heartbreaking, old-timey country ballads like "Love Me One More Time" to the hopeful folk-pop of songs like "Yesterday's Girl," and hitting all emotional and musical points in between. The sisters' vocal blend is nothing short of ethereal; and when applied to songwriter Nerissa Nields' deft, arresting lyrics, and Dave Chalfant's artfully- and skillfully-produced tracks, creates a collection of songs that are at once as strong as true love, as beautifully fragile as china, and completely transcendental.

This album is an incredible mix of folk rock, and some twangy folk (on the line of country). Nerissa's songwriting tells a story like no other-- it is breath-taking. Loss, pain, love, hope--EVERYTHING all mixed together into this lovely CD. It will make you dance, smile, laugh, and cry... It tells a touching story... personal, painful, strong, and glorifying. Filled with pains of a broken heart, and an underlying hope. This CD should be playing in everyone's CD player!!!The harmonies are unbelievable... and the songs are truly magnificent. This CD gets my highest reccomendation!!!!

Awaiting the release of their new CD, now Nerissa & Katryna rather than "The Nields" group I was curious about any changes that the women would make. The continuity of the songs on this album is fabulous---I love or really enjoy every song. On other albums, I love songs and then skipped others. I can see why katryna' new baby Amelia loves to listen to this CD, it's soothing, upbeat and continuous. Nerissa's lyrics show a stronger, more experienced and mature Nields, she just hits it right again and again. I love some of the country/folk style songs that Nerissa is unknowingly (or perhaps knowingly) gifted at writing. This CD is going to become a mainstay in my car. I can't wait to learn some of the songs so I can sing along and maybe find them in NYC again. Superb!

"Everybody listen to my song", Kathryna sings in "The Sweetness". Unfortunately, judging by the lagging sales rank and the scarce number of reviews the album's got so far, it seems that few people are paying attention to her advice. And that's a pity, because Love & China is really a good album.
With L&C the sisters depart from the folk-rock sound of If You Lived Here, their previous full-band effort, and choose a more laid-back approach that often veers into country. Love Me One More Time is such an example, a longing prayer for a last night of love. Only a consummate country connoisseur could pen such a perfect song, which says a lot for Nerissa's songwriter skills. I Haven't Got A Thing, He Loves The Road and Heading Home are in a similar, country-tinged, vein. It's not just country, though; Tickets To My House, Yesterday's Girl, New State of Grace and Love & China are more uptempo, pop-influenced tracks that remind the listener of the previous albums. A case in point is Tailspin: it has a gorgeous fiddle opening that makes you expect a traditional number and still retains something of the typical folk-rock sound you associate with the Nields. Christmas Carol is, well, a Christmas song, but its theme is rendered in a way so fresh and original that you'll like listening to it even in summer (as I'm doing).
L&C fits nicely at the intersection of country and folk-pop and should attract fans of both genres. But while Nields' loyalists are aware of this album, I suspect there's a huge untapped country base that is not and would love this CD. Just spread the news.

A word of caution: listeners usually have a "love them or hate them" relationship with the Nields - I'm in the former category, as you probably have guessed - because of the sisters' high-pitched voices that sometimes edge towards yodeling. Take advantage of the free download, and if you love the song (actually, one of the best in the album), then you know which camp you are in.

If you know the Nields but don't have this one don't miss out. I was shocked at how good the song writing is on this one and the instumentation and vocals are great. One of their best ever!!!