Tracy Nelson
b. 27 December 1944, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Tutored on both piano and guitar as a child, Nelson began a singing career while studying at Wisconsin University. She was a member of two bands, including the Imitations, prior to recording her solo debut, Deep Are The Roots, in 1965. Charlie Musselwhite (harmonica) and Peter Wolfe (guitar) added support to a set drawing much of its inspiration from blues singers Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. In 1966 Nelson became a founder-member of Mother Earth, an excellent country/blues attraction which she later came to dominate as the original members pursued other projects. By 1973, when they were recording regularly in Nashville, the group had become known as Tracy Nelson/Mother Earth, and that year's Poor Man's Paradise was, effectively, a solo album. The singer's independent career was officially launched the following year with Tracy Nelson, which included a powerful version of Bob Dylan's "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry". Ensuing recordings revealed a mature, self-confident vocalist working in an eclectic style redolent of Bonnie Raitt. Recording opportunities decreased during the 80s, although Nelson continues to perform live. In recent years a contract with Rounder Records maintained her output, although she moved to the smaller Relentless label in 2000.
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Albums
- (2005) Tracy Nelson
- (2005) Mother Earth
- (1996) The Best Of Tracy Nelson/Mother Earth
- (1996) Mother Earth Presents Tracy Nelson Country
Top Tracks
- Mother Earth
- Down So Low
- Need Your Love So Bad
- I'll Be Long Gone
- Tennessee Blues
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