Josh Nelson

I Hear a Rhapsody

Josh Nelson- “I Hear A Rhapsody” (Steel Bird Music)
September 2009
By George W. Harris

If you follow the LA music scene, you may already be familiar with pianist Josh Nelson, as he seems to be playing somewhere in town every week with his trio of Hamilton Price/b and Kevin Kanner/dr. I’ve seen
him countless times, and each gig is a pleasure for the ears. He mixes standards with originals, even throwing in an indie tune once in awhile, and this disc captures that feel perfectly. This disc shows all of Nelson’s lyrical and sensitive strengths. His own “A Change In The Wind” is supple and lithe, with Ben Wendel’s horn building up a well composed solo, while the reharmonized and metered title track is subtle and sophisticated in it’s delivery. The trio works out exquisitely on Jerry Goldsmith’s “Chinatown” theme song, while the fugue-ish “Everything Means Nothing To Me” by indie rocker Elliott Smith opens the door to a trove of inspirations. This may be Nelson’s answer to Mehldau’s Radiohead covers. A definite fresh sound by a guy who should be in everyone’s ipod.