DON NICOLSON - The Sandpiper Chronicles CD

Perth (Scotland, that is)-based singer-songwriter with a 14 track debut album that's just gorgeous.
From tracks that feature just him to band-played tracks, it's an album that's rich in variation, pace, passion and elegance. The opening track, “Rain” is the perfect starter, with just Nicolson and band playing this gorgeously flowing song with his stark but warmly emotive vocal drifting through, as haunting sax and flowing rhythm section combine to produce this yearning slice of heartfelt love song that can't fail to make you smile, bring a lump to your throat and even shed a tear or two – it's simply beautiful.
“Last Port Of Call” is similar only the instrumentation is slightly more multi-textured and the vocal more varied as it rises and falls over delicate mandolin, softly brushed drumming, crisp acoustic guitar and deep bass, as another warm-hearted song sails into view, no hook but it's so memorable – the sign of excellent writing and arranging. “Blue Eyes” is impassioned, more upfront vocal over softly chiming guitars, that's still supremely emotive as another wonderfully languid yet impassioned love song unfolds in a mix of delicacy and emotional strength. “Runaway” is a stronger song still, as there's now a forceful quality to the vocal that veers from soft to strong, over a lurching rhythm section, chiming acoustic guitars and, shortly into the song, extra textural guitar to provide added depth, but overall, it's another absolute winner of a song that rises up to an intensity that's positively heart-rending as you feel the passion of the song with every fibre of your being, and know that another stunner of a love song is safe in this guy's hand and your head & heart.
“Get Up” decides to give you a bit more of what this guy can do, as a slice of acoustic country blues strides into shape, with a kind of skiffle beat allied to crisp guitars and a warm bluesy vocal that's slightly more raw but no less effective as upbeat blues sparks to life with an electric guitar break before reverting to the emotively sung verses, choppy rhythms and addictive arranging all round. “Silent Mind” returns to the strong yet delicate band-driven love song that this guy is just so excellent at delivering, while “Serendipity” is the same only more heavenly and “One Last Kiss” features a multi-tracked lead vocal over acoustic guitar and its choral qualities allied to a love song full of yearning, depth and soft passion, make it something of incredible richness, as it then goes to a single lead vocal of warm emotion, then gliding effortlessly back to the riches of the multi-tracking, on a song that's heartachingly wonderful. “Brand New Day” follows the well trodden path of before, while “Mr Clumsy” is an upbeat number that's bright and sprightly, giving a bit of a humorous touch to an otherwise intensely emotional experience that's been the album so far.
Four further tracks, every bit as good as anything that's made up the first 9 tracks, bring the album to a close with every touch of emotion the guy can muster, that makes you feel and enjoy the experience with every bit of your heart. In a sense, I was so wrapped up in a stunning album that I felt “Mr Clumsy” to be an intrusion rather than a respite, but not so much that you couldn't allow for it or even just skip it, but, that said, the rest of the album is as perfect as an album gets, of largely band-played, emotively written, arranged and sung love songs with a soft voice plus plenty of yearning, pathos and passion.

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