Graham Nash - This Path Tonight
6/10
Graham Nash has a recording career of over fifty years, from The Hollies through various combinations of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young. It is therefore surprising that this is only his sixth solo album and the first since 2002.
Nash’s voice is in fine shape. Backed up by a crack combo that have worked with the likes of Springsteen, Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson and Primal Scream, the musicianship is of a high standard. The Cracks In The City and Fire Down Below are among the best songs Nash has been involved with but they are head and shoulders above the rest of the songs on here.
Having separated from his wife after 38 years, the lyrics are more intimate and personal than might have been the case in the past but – the aforementioned songs aside - the music presents few surprises. Anybody familiar with Nash’s back catalogue will find this to be instantly familiar. Writing with guitarist and producer Shane Fontayne, Nash has forged a collection of decent, if unoriginal, folk.
Nothing on here is bad and any Nash fan will no doubt be delighted by this, but it will do little to bring in new fans and that may just be a shame.
6/10
