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By his own recounting, newcomer Nathan Lee Jackson came of age during the wave of crossover-sounding hit-makers who dominated country music in the late '80s and early '90s, from Shania Twain to Garth Brooks.
In fact, the Winchester, Ky., native lists both Brooks and Twain, along with her former husband/record producer, Mutt Lange, among his key influences, as well as Alabama, Christian music's Michael English and pop superstar Elton John. Consequently, one listen to Jackson's debut CD, Complicated Hearts, reflects the young singer-songwriter's absorption of all he grew up loving musically.
Country Music Singer Merges Rock, Pop Sounds on Debut CD
Released in late 2009 by StarCity Recording Company, the 13-song album features polished production and top-notch musicianship that boasts a heavy influence from album co-producer Jeff Glixman, who is best known to music fans as the former producer for Kansas.
These days, Glixman is heading the StarCity label and, for better or worse, he's revisited the Kansas sound on Jackson's freshman CD--something that is especially evident on the album's I've Arrived track, which sounds more like a rock song of the late '70s than a contemporary-country debut.
Jackson, in fact, penned I've Arrived following a Kansas concert he attended in New York City. His original intent, he has said, was to pitch the song to Kansas for that band's forthcoming album. However, after producer Glixman heard it, he encouraged Jackson to include it on his freshman CD, complete with spiraling violin by David Ragsdale of Kansas.
Contemporary Country Album Boasts Eclectic Compositions
Undoubtedly, Jackson is multi-talented but the music on Complicated Hearts is a bit "all over the map" at times. Thus, for this reviewer, the project could use more cohesion when it comes to establishing the now Nashville-based artist's sound among its target country audience base. However, by the same token, the eclectic-sounding Complicated Hearts also casts a wide net that will undoubtedly secure the young artist new fans.
For this part, Jackson is content with the finished Complicated Hearts project, which he's dedicated to his late mother, Carolyn Jackson.
"As an artist, I try to express my passion for music and life," Jackson said in his artist bio. "I try to do it honestly, succinctly, adventurously, sensitively and to the best of my ability, as with a lot of things in my life. I am from the country, and my music proudly reflects that. I am a little more like 'a rocker' who's had a lot of psychotherapy."
Gospel and Soul Among Country Artist's Musical Influences
Nonetheless, per this music scribe, the piano-playin' Jackson's sound, at times, evokes audible memories of country music's Lionel Cartwright or Skip Ewing who, like the brunet newcomer, can not only pen an emotional lyric but also present it with power, as Jackson does with the laid-back groove of Kentucky Breeze.
Elsewhere on Complicated Hearts, Jackson delivers hauntingly well with songs such as Inside, a number that could easily find a musical home on a CD by, say, current-day country heartthrob Billy Currington, or Small Town Rain, with its driving memories of innocent yesterdays. Store Up Your Treasures, meanwhile, is reminiscent of the pure 'n' soulful, gospel-based music that made the O' Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack a sales blockbuster and instant classic.
Nathan Lee Jackson's Debut CD Delivers Progressive Country Music
For those who like their country with a wide array of diversity from other genres, Jackson's debut record won't disappoint. He deftly parlays his love for progressive country with his admiration for a variety of musical styles to offer listeners plenty of contemporary sounds delivered with precision and solid talent.
In short, expect Jackson to have crossover appeal, just as his musical influences do. However, don't expect to see him playing in a sawdust-filled dance hall anytime soon, even if he does hail from Kentucky. His music's smooth, no doubt about it, but it's not the stuff that goes with a beer drinkin' Saturday night in the honky-tonk. It does fit quite nicely with a lazy Sunday afternoon, though, so enjoy.
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