Quality Americana

Texas songwriter Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real released a new video two weeks ago from their new album Sticks and Stones that has a beautiful melody and production.

Lukas Nelson Performs in Texas. Photo by Quality Americana.

Nelson appears as a shadowy figure on the left of the screen as clouds flash in vibrant colors. You float over an ocean like a seagull as a harmonica comes in. The drums have a world vibe and the guitar brings us back to the early 1990s. It reminds me of the jamband scene in the 90s and explosion of new bands it brought.

“Sittin’ with you on a porch with four winds. Takin’ my time but I know it’ll never end. Somewhere my phone’s been ringin’, but we left them hangin’ long ago. Ain’t nobody knows the sea we sank in. Somewhere on the great sea floor. There’s a door, and you and I Just walk right out.” Nelson sings as he rings out with his signature voice.

Early 90’s Vibe

A banjo comes in that really gives us a bit of a Bela Fleck vibe. Throughout the video you’re floating through skies and galaxies and surfing waves. There’s even transparent glowing people holding hands that reminds me of late night X Files reruns.

“Shoulda woulda coulda is a great big mistake. Happy to love you any way you wanna, give or take. Somewhere in the endless sky there’s a light, and you and I begin to fly. And nobody’s seen us, but we’re right here, here where the sea and the sky meet, all four winds waving goodbye,” Nelson sings.

Influence from Jimmy Buffett

It comes at an interesting time as news broke last weekend that legendary songwriter Jimmy Buffett has passed away. It really sounds like one of those late 80s to early 90s songs that Buffett released. It has a late night infomercial atmosphere in all of the best ways. It really fits nicely with the Tedeschi Trucks Band song “Midnight in Harlem.”

“I’m singularly focused on writing music and wanting to write good songs that connect with people,” Nelson said in an interview with Holler. “The album is a very joyful celebration of the width and breadth of the human experience, from the depths of depravity to where we are now or where you might be after you come out of the darkness. It’s one of the more fun records I’ve ever been a part of.”

You can hear the new album Sticks and Stones by Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real here.

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