With four major tours in the last 12 months and over 180 gigs performed this year alone, New York songstress Nell Bryden has circled the globe and built a passionate following for her Americana-Country-Soul hybrid sound.
Watch "Second Time Around" video:
Nell Bryden
Nell Bryden
Nell Bryden has a unique kind of raw talent that you thought only existed in the 1950's era of classy dames in evening gowns in a time when legends where made. You don't just watch a Nell Bryden show, you experience it. In her "1950s cocktail frock and killer heels Nell takes bluegrass, jazz and country, mashes it up and belts it out. She can play, has a voice to die for, and writes great songs. Too much talent should not be allowed." - Janice Long, BBC Radio 2.
Download "Helen's Requiem" MP3
In October of 2008 Nell journeyed to the Middle East with Armed Forces Entertainment (USO) to play for the coalition troops serving in Kuwait and Iraq. She and her band played 15 shows in a 10-day period, recording every performance. These recordings - from places such as Crooper Detention Centre, where Saddam Hussein was held for trial, Camp Victory in Baghdad, and F.O.B. (Forward Operating Base) Mahmudiyah - capture Nell's passion and exuberance.
'Live From Iraq' will be released in the first quarter of 2009, accompanied by a 20-page booklet featuring photographs and entries taken from her private journal while she was on the tour. The album will be available for sale on Nell's upcoming tour of The UK and Ireland in February '09 and digitally on iTunes. It will also be distributed to the troops by the US Armed Forces.
Nell's debut single "Second Time Around" premiered in 2008, and got into TOP 40 Irish Charts. It was also Song of The Week on Today FM and is currently receiving weekly plays on Terry Wogan's Radio 2 show. Nell also played numerous live radio sessions in Both the UK & Ireland, including Ian Dempsey's breakfast Show on Today FM, Alan Simpsons on BBC Ulster, Janice Long and Bob Harris on Radio 2, Robert Elms on BBC London, and BBC6 "Loose Ends" with Clive Anderson.
The single has appeared on Regional playlists across Ireland and on BBC regional radio playlists from Scotland to the South Coast. Upon her safe return from Iraq, she appeared on the BBC Breakfast show couch (on BBC One TV), with other special guests such as Enrique Iglesias, GAN WOK and Daniel Craig. Nell also had features in CHOICE magazine, Social & Personal Magazine, UNCUT, Q & WORD along with TV slots on BBC, Channel 6, Buzz TV, & URMUZIC. She is currently working with Grammy-winning producer David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman, Tori Amos, Joe Jackson) on a full-length studio album tentatively scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2009.
With a bevy of industry taste-makers and major British and American labels at each show she plays, Nell is simply the most talked about and sought after new artist of 2009.
PRESS QUOTES:
"In her circa 50s cocktail frock and killer heels Nell takes bluegrass, jazz and country mashes it up and belts it out. She can play, has a voice to die for, writes great songs and I am starting to think I hate her. Too much talent should not be allowed." - Janice Long, BBC Radio
"Nell Bryden - Well I think this album is absolutely brilliant" - Bob Harris, BBC
"American blues star Nell Bryden is shooting to the top" - The Sun
"The Country Blues of Up-and-Coming Brooklyn born Nell Bryden was worth the trip alone and I think Nell is one to be watched" - The Hitsheet
"Song of the week Second Time Around" - Today FM
"The new disc marks yet another step for this talented performer; she still tugs heartstrings in ballads like "Only Life I Know," but "Tonight" and "Late Night Call" reveal a playful sass previously reserved for her live dates" - The Irish Times
"Graceful, challenging, unguarded, powerful: such are the songs of this talented young lady, who not only wrote all the songs, but also plays electric, acoustic and twelve string guitars, Dobro and cello." - Time Out New York
"This is a star of the present tense, she deserves your attention and for her music to reach millions! I am quite proud of myself! I have resisted the temptation to mention how stunningly beautiful this girl is!!" - MIXTAPE
"Americana Nell Bryden's album "Second time Around" shows off her Warm rich voice with perky tunes that may furnish Bryden's fairytale with an even sweeter second chapter" - Q magazine
"An album of jazz torch singer style and Patsy Cline heartache. Her vocal is supported by consummate song writing skills: ballads such as "Only life I know" and "Green dress" ought to launch a thousand Nashville covers. Think of a female Nick Lowe with a better voice, and able to recreate almost any style with enough panache to ensure nothing ever quite becomes pastiche" - UNCUT Magazine
"Nell Bryden's music is a little bit bluegrass, a little bit jazz and a little bit soul. It's a rather lovely mix; we say. It get's our Video of the week!" - MUZU
"Featured Act this week goes to Nell Bryden - soon to be our adopted Irish Artist of the year!" - Roddie Cleere WLRF
Nell Bryden 2009 UK tour dates:
3rd/4th Jan Button Factory - Dublin-VIBE FOR PHILLO
8 Feb Oxford - Bar Academy
9 Feb London - Monto Water Rats
10 Feb Newcastle - Bar Academy
11 Feb Birmingham - Bar Academy
12 Feb Glasgow - ABC2
13 Feb Dublin - Crawdaddy
14 Feb Belfast - Mandela hall
Photo Credit: Scott Gilbert Photography
Nell Bryden MySpace
Nell Bryden Official Website
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