All Feature Articles

Graham Nash in Nashville: Vintage and Vital Music Poured Out at City Winery

by Rich and Laura Lynch

The legendary Graham Nash presented songs from his forthcoming record This Path Tonight during his two-night engagement (February 6th and 7th, 2016) at The City Winery in Nashville, Tennessee. British singer/songwriter Graham Nash is well-known for his distinctive tenor voice. Since the 1960's he has enjoyed much success in The Hollies along with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Graham - an award winning musician - is also an activist and an acclaimed photographer. He is on tour in 2016 in support of This Path Tonight. The new album due out in April was produced by Shane Fontayne. It features 10 original songs from Nash.


The City Winery was the perfect showcase for a Graham Nash two-night stand.

"How you all doing?," inquired Graham who was warmly greeted by the City Winery crowd. "Let's start somewhere close to the beginning". Nash popped open "Bus Stop" from his Hollies days. Shane Fotayne accompanied him on electric and provided a strong second voice throughout the concert to compliment Nash who sang beautifully on Saturday evening. "Anyone who knows the words to that song must be old," Graham jested. He mentioned a few reasons why he left The Hollies as a lead into "King Midas in Reverse". The song showed that Nash still has a golden touch.

"This is my friend Shane Fontayne," said Nash who shared that the two have been playing music together for about six years. Shane is a well-respected artist who has performed with Bruce Springsteen, CS&N, Sting and more. Fontayne also is producing and writing music with Graham. "Marrakesh Express" was magical. The journey included a bubbly recollection of having dinner at Johnny Cash's house and walking into a standup lamp. Throughout the show Nash shared stories about his songs. The next being "Immigration Man". Nash recalled being hassled by a Canadian customs agent. Returning home furious he penned the tune. Shane added an electric edge to the biting track.


Graham Nash thrilled on piano and guitar during the evening's two sets.

"Shane and I wrote this beautiful song," stated Nash before presenting a number of new tracks. "Golden Day" was glowing with rich lyrics looking back at Graham's life. "Myself At Last" was also poetic and well received by the attentive audience at the Nashville City Winery. Graham sang clearly so that one could hear the profound words he was singing which is important when playing new material.

"Hi to all my friends at BMI," said Nash before commenting that so many people die in the name of religion. "In Your Name" included strong commentary about humanity demonstrating that Nash still cares about world events. Shane added rich guitar tones to Graham's petition "can you stop all of this madness." The stage darkened, lit only by candles as Nash moved to the keyboards to sing about the killing of the largest mammals. Shane's slide guitar punctuated the sad points of the song and ended it with whale like sounds.

"I am really proud of this new record that Shane produced," shared Nash. Next the two presented a potent "Ohio" with both singing the hook before taking a short break. The second half of the show built on the melodic momentum of the first with more fan favorites such as the lovely "Lady of the Island". Afterwards someone shouted out "you sound great, Graham". The next song was dedicated to the recently departed David Bowie, Glenn Frey and Paul Kantner. It was a composition that had been penned as a celebration of the life of Levon Helm. This new tune co-written by Fontayne was filled with rich imagery of death and nature.


From CSN to The Holllies - Graham Nash is a living musical legend.

"Wasted On The Way", "Cathedral" along with "Chicago" were winners as was "Our House" (released 1970) with Nash remembering his girlfriend at that time Joni Mitchell buying a vase. It was a dreary rainy day in Laurel Canyon so Nash suggested lighting a fire while "you place the flowers in the vase that you brought today". A simple yet so in the moment song that is still one of the sweetness sentiments of contentment in a relationship ever written. Fans sang along to that classic. The encore featured The Beatles' "Blackbird" and the insightful "Teach Your Children".

Graham Nash presented a set of vintage classics paired with vital new music at the Nashville City Winery at 609 Lafayette Street. It is an up-scale venue that serves fine food, music and wine. It continues to host an eclectic range of artists such as Graham Nash. Upcoming events include Dr. John, Anders Osborne, Low, Wasabassco Burlesque and a number of Valentine's Day options.


The great Shane Fontayne provided powerful support on guitar and vocals.

Related Links: For more information on GRAHAM NASH and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Graham Nash | Shane Fontayne | City Winery


.









Music City Open Gets Bigger and Better at Mill Ridge Park in Antioch



Cats & Coffee Equals a Win-Win at The Catfeine Cat Cafe in Murfreesboro



Crowder Draws a Huge Crowd at Spring Festival in Murfreesboro



Musician ISMAY Travels Long and Far to Find Herself in Finding Lucinda



Carter Vintage Guitars Opens Their New Home Fit For a King in Nashville



The Catio Opens Its Purrfect New Home in Nashville



Rebel Rounds at Bassline Brewing Company Hosts a Hot Industry Mixer in Music City



Carter Vintage Guitars Makes a Big Move in Nashville



Roy's Meat Service - It's All About BBQ and Community in East Nashville



Taj Mahal Remains a Blues Wonder of the World at Grimey's in Nashville



Brother Rock Is On a Roll at Rhythm In The Village in Old Hickory



Upper Deck Golf Drives Into Nashville



John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band Cruise Into with Nashville with a Memorable Debut Fifty Years in the Making



Cat Power's Curious Night of Music at the CMA Theater in Nashville



Celtic Woman: Third Time's a Charm at the TPAC in Nashville



The NRB Turns a Grand Ole Eighty in Nashville



John Oates Delivers Songs and Stories with a Smile, Some Tears and a Few Laughs in Franklin



The Tina Turner Musical Is Simply Terrific at the TPAC in Tennessee



Trustworthy Documentary Seeks to Heal the Deep Divide in America With a Deep Dive Into Media Bias at Belmont University



Music City Animal Rescue Seeks New Fosters and Volunteers as Second Decade of Regional Service Begins in Nashville



The Nashville Sounds Score Big with Well Attended Sound Check Fan Fest at First Horizon Park



The Wandering Hearts Still Beating Strong on WMOT's Finally Friday at 3rd & Lindsley



THE CHOSEN Season 4 Offers Nashvillians a Whole Lot to Choose From with Fathom Events



Girl From the North Country Lights Up the Nashville Skyline at the TPAC



© 2024 MusicCityNashville.net
All Rights Reserved