"Nicola's voice is not smooth and polished like some, but it breaks in the right places and she know how to use it to highlight the emotional contours of her lyrics. There's a deceptive and disarming offhandedness in her delivery, which makes those moments when she digs in, hit that much harder. Her style draws on numerous influences, from folk to pop to jazz…the result is rich, mercurial and absorbing."
"2 cranes is a delicious collection of intelligent heartfelt songs. Detailed images backed up by real emotional clout make this release a standout and repeated listenings a joy. Beautifully performed, expertly produced and harmonies to die for. A rare gift indeed! I'll take it!"
"...her voice positively soars.."
"...Nicola gordon is a sort-of-folkie who produced her second album in cahoots with sort-of-folkie Robinson Eikenberry. The impressive song set Chaos Infinatum is just extra-traditional enough to throw off the scent of normality, while being grounded in solid melodic and lyrical ideas. Brooding atmospherics enhance the anthem to honesty "Naked," and the arrangement leans into inventive rock energy-replete with a haunting guitar riff-on "Important Lies." Gordon also wields an effectively spare and eerie slide guitar on "In the Name of Cool." It's a CD by turns joyful and pensive, giving due credence to both poles."
By Jennifer Layton
Right up front, I’ll admit to being a little too jaded and not enough touchy-feely for this kind of music, but I recognize when someone is talented and being sincere. I can also recognize when someone has real songwriting skills and isn’t just doing the “new age psychobabble with a guitar” thing. I know enough to recognize that Nicola Gordon is the real deal.
She comes by the earthy folk vibe honestly. At nineteen, she hitchhiked from Massachusetts to California and spent the next seven years in a spiritual community, meditating and living off the land. She eventually left, but the experience hasn’t left her. Her 2 Cranes CD is a collection of vibrant, trippy storytelling and consciousness exploration, perfect for new age conventions, self-discovery workshops, yoga classes, and intimate house concerts. From “Guenivere”:
They say Mohammed and Jesus
They’re in my blood
Hey, that means Hitler and Rasputin are in there too
No wonder I’m so mixed up
Maybe I know a little more than I wanna know ...
I can think of a lot of female singer/songwriters to compare her to – Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, and stand back if Bonnie Raitt ever gets her hands on the sultry “I Just Wanna Hold You.” But when Gordon’s spirited voice is surrounded by female backing vocals, the voices sound like a female version of Crosby, Stills and Nash.
It’s hard to stay in the present while listening to this music. I floated back in time, back to when my mom would play her 60s albums while I hid my sister’s Barbie Dolls and swiped my brother’s KISS comics. (I come by my non-touchy-feely nature honestly as well.) When I heard Gordon’s “Unlikely Angel,” I even found myself sitting next to her on the beach, watching her strum the mandolin and croon to a wealthy, powerful, and very lonely businessman just killing time until his next flight.
Oh no. She’s pulling me in. I’m going to play my CD of 80s pop hits until I’m back to normal. Those of you packing your bags for the next Life Coaching Retreat need to put this in your car’s CD player for the trip.
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Been running around outta town lately, but wanted to say how much I enjoyed and admired your new album. Another fine job, full of truth and wisdom and pretty turns and winky quirks... great stuff!
--Josef Woodard, Music Critic for SB Independent.
Nicola's current CD reflects a new level in her songwriting and is my personal favorite. In addition to her up-tempo work, which is always fun and inspiring, I can really tap into the quieter, more complex and spiritual undercurrents of her emerging new sound...
-- Greg Gerakos, SB.
Do not miss or underestimate this magical third CD from Nicola Gordon. The songs, all original, are variously pointed, soothing, sharp, funny, profound, profane and simply beautiful. Melodies and multi-layered lyrics are finely woven and memorable. At least 3 (More Love, Unlikely Angel, Keeps Comin' Back) could become classics of the poetic folk/ rock genre. The song sequence on the CD progresses from emotional nakedness to a spiritual peace that reminds us why we all need more songs like this.
--Ann Bennett, SB.
Nicola Gordon has the heart of a poet, and she writes like one too. Gordon creates visual imagery with the flick of a pen and sweet sound of her voice. At times, Gordon's music, especially her guitar playing, can sound, not so much dark as it is dusky -- think Chris DiCroce or Andy Monaco after a "special operation" in Switzerland. Her musical style perfectly fits with her lyrical look at her world, and the two together make a lethal combination to anything she examines under her microscope.
Even though the best songs on the album involved a backing band, for some reason, "In the Name of Cool" stood out as one of my favorites. It's a 2:49 minute solo piece featuring just Gordon and her guitar. It was simple and uncomplicated, and could just as easily have been sung by Leo Kottke -- about four octaves lower, of course. Favorite Lines: From "Important Lies," this song sometimes seems like a soundtrack to my life: I live such important lies Gotta go, gotta get the great compromise Places, people, and things to change. Magic numbers to rearrange. Nicola Gordon wields her pen and her guitar like a scalpel, deftly cutting to the heart of the matter and exposing its secrets for everyone to see.
-- Erik Deckers, Indie-Music.com
"...Nicola gordon is a sort-of-folkie who produced her second album in cahoots with sort-of-folkie Robinson Eikenberry. The impressive song set Chaos Infinatum is just extra-traditional enough to throw off the scent of normality, while being grounded in solid melodic and lyrical ideas. Brooding atmospherics enhance the anthem to honesty "Naked," and the arrangement leans into inventive rock energy-replete with a haunting guitar riff-on "Important Lies." Gordon also wields an effectively spare and eerie slide guitar on "In the Name of Cool." It's a CD by turns joyful and pensive, giving due credence to both poles."
-- Josef Woodard. SB Independent
Your songs are amazing!
Reviewer: Forrest Franken
Moved to tears several times-hearing your voice, your words, your music this first time. The terrain of your songs has been a sweet, layered gift to me; What rich poetry you offer. Thanks so much.
Unconventional, pure and honest songs
Reviewer: Jos Vd Boom, Crossroads, Brto-radio, Holland
In Nicola's world chaos reigns. Thank God! It delivers unconventional, pure and honest songs, rooted in emotion rather than fashion. Moreover Nicola's voice has a lot of character and is quite unique. So, you dawdlers! Don't wait any longer and purchase this 18 carats CD!
Reviews: TURNING
A fierce, yet delicate balance of sensitivity and fun. What a voice. Nicola Gordon is a genuine writer..."Boxes" is delicious!
--Jason Bennett, Colorado singer/songwriter
Creative sounds and splendid words make Nicola one to remember. Red light green light is just a glimpse of Nicola's expressive soul. As a songwriter and singer, I admire her ability to capture a feeling in her words and music. Buy this CD, you won't be dissapointed.
-- Chris Cairns, www.wildsage.net
LIVE SHOWS...
"I really enjoyed your concert, even though I'm in a bit of an off place, going through some changes as the boys from CSNY used to call it. But the more I hear of your music, the more I hear connections with those heart things I deal with, that we all deal with...love keeps coming back...'haven't talked to you in a long time...I'll always love you'. Al l the good strong happy sad real stuff. It's good to share that with you, or rather I guess because of you, because it's from you…"
--Jim Lawrence, Santa Barbara, CA
"You are a very talented songwriter…My roommate cracked up when I mentioned some of the lyrics. You have a wonderful energy about you and of course it only adds to your performance. It's very rare to see a performer who not only entertains but also makes the audience feel very welcomed and comfortable. Your listeners come from all walks of life, very eclectic crowd...I love that!"
-- Wende Allyn, Thousand Oaks, CA