Jon Nicholson is one of the Godfathers of the MuzikMafia which has spawned the massive successes of Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich. Now, with his debut album A Lil Sump'm Sump'm, co-produced by Angelo, the singer-songw... more »riter brings a gritty roadhouse hybrid of soul, blues, funk and rock to center stage.« less
Jon Nicholson is one of the Godfathers of the MuzikMafia which has spawned the massive successes of Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich. Now, with his debut album A Lil Sump'm Sump'm, co-produced by Angelo, the singer-songwriter brings a gritty roadhouse hybrid of soul, blues, funk and rock to center stage.
Mendy V. (Mendy) from TWIN LAKES, WI Reviewed on 10/27/2007...
Jon Nicholson was in concert with Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich when I first discovered him. I was immediately in love with his style & presence. His music has a jazzy, soul undertone that is really great and just makes you want to move. I actually enjoyed his performance more than Gretchen's. My favorite tracks are Just a Man and Hero. The song titled Grandma is slightly odd but very funny. :O)
1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Awesome CD!
roushfans | Enterprise, AL | 10/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rock & Soul, Keyboards & Horns, Funky Grooves & Straight Up Jams... This album has it ALL!! Jon Nicholson's "A Lil Sump'm Sump'm" gives you all of that and much much more! With rockin tunes like ROCK & ROLL to the groovy melody of LOVE IS ALRIGHT, you're sure to fall in love with this CD. This will definitely be one to listen to start to finish. 7 DAYS & GRASS RIVER leave you yearning for more of Jon's great blend of rock & soul. HERO leaves you feeling Jon's true emotions. GRANDMA will become an instant favorite for all who listen. With a unique blend of musical stylings you won't be disappointed!
"
MM Good!
Terri Beam "Horsefeathers" | Louisville, KY USA | 10/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If there is one thing Muzik M.A.F.I.A. (Mutually Artistic friends in Alliance) fans have come to expect after experiencing the music of Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Shannon Lawson, and James Otto, it's that IT'S ALL GOOD when new music is released by any member of this musical collective. While many popular artists end up with "throwaway" songs on their albums, the MM artists consistently gift their fans with "skip-proof" music, and
Mafia Godfather Jon Nicholson's freshman debut "A Little Sump'm Sump'm" is no exception. Proving the Mafia is creating "music without prejudice" Nicholson adds the genres of rock and soul to the MM's veritable smorgasbord of rocking country and bluegrass. Mixing elements of rock, soul, blues, and pop, he has created the impressive, personal debut that we wish all new artists were allowed to create.
Listening to this CD, one knows they are listening to a classic storyteller, to songs serious ("Just a Man" and "Hero"), and songs humorous ("Grandma" and "Stereo"). The songs take the listener back to the 70s while still sounding fresh and original. Expect to hear "Grass River" and "7 Days" (Maybe "Grandma" herself!) in a future Cameron Crowe film!
Another impressive feature of "Sump'm" is the solid musical ability behind the deliciously expressive Nicholson vocals: Nicholson on keyboard and guitar, Max (Max On Sax)Abrams on saxophone, Elijah D.D. Holt on percussion, Jerry Navarro on bass, and Sean Smith on guitar. It is indeed a pleasure to hear woodwind instruments featured as prominently as the guitars and not just a background afterthought.
Jon Nicholson and his band "New Nation" have brought us more than "A Lil Sump'm Sump'm". To paraphrase a line from "Grandma": "We've waited too d___ long, so bring it on. Godfather is going to FLY!"."
The Greatest CD Ever!
Black Hills | Black Hills, SD USA | 12/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A Lil Sump'm Sump'm is the best CD that I own. Jon Nicholson knows great music and he put it on this one CD. The music along with Jon's one of kind vocals is mixed well. The CD offers an eclectic blend of music. Jon along with New Nation band mates, Max (on Sax) Abrams, Elijah (D.D.) Holt on percussion, Jerry Navarro on bass, and Sean Smith on guitar bring music to life on this CD!
*Just A Man is an upbeat song that'll have you singing along and bobbing your head to. It's a song about a man and a woman and their relationship.
*Love Is Alright, my favorite song on the CD, is a great upbeat song. This song would've been a huge hit at Woodstock! The lyrics are great. The song will have you singing and groovin' along to from the beginning. Jon's voice is just awesome in this song!
*Rock & Roll is upbeat. It'll have you bobbing your head and singing along to. You'll be amazed at the sax solo in this song!
*Grass River is a song you'll sing along to. Jon tells a story with his lyrics. It's one of those songs that you can just sit back and relax too, and yet still bob your head along to the tune.
*If you love the saxophone, you'll love "7 Days." Max (on Sax) Abrams does an awesome job on this song. This upbeat tune will make you want to bounce along to the tune!
*Take Me Back is another tune you can kick back to. With a good message, "...the time that you've got, you can never get back. Don't throw it all away, save a little for someday..."
*Hero is a song that Jon bares it all. It's a song with a message of not blowing off your dreams. The vocals are pure and strong. This song is definitely one of his best, with a nice sax solo as well!
*Stereo is an upbeat fun song. One the listener can identify with and groove along to as well.
*How Would I Know is a song about making it in this life. It's upbeat and well written.
*The song Nothing is slowed down which puts the listener in a relaxed mood. The lyrics are strong and sung with a lot of emotion.
*Grandma comes off as a funny song, but if you listen to the lyrics behind the fact that Grandma is getting stoned, then you'll hear a message behind them.
I strongly recommend this CD to everyone, no matter what genre you love, there is a little Sump'm Sump'm for everyone on this CD! Pick one, or two, up if you haven't already!
"
It will blow your mind!!!
Kristina Gilles | Hampton, VA, USA | 10/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"King Jon was being modest when he named his album `A Lil Sump'm Sump'm' - this record is *bursting* with enough Rock and Soul to blow your mind! `A Lil Sump'm Sump'm" breaks the rock mold with an amalgamation of sound that will feed your mind and bathe your soul. Spend `7 Days' with a Muzik Mafia Godfather and relax as you take a trip down the `Grass River', rest in a place where `Love is Alright' and rock out to some `Rock & Roll'. Pick your flavor and crank it up, `cause no matter what your style is, Jon Nicholson is ready to serve you with `A Lil Sump'm Sump'm'! Give it a chance - you won't regret it!"
Awesome!
Tracy Muire | VA USA | 10/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great cd. Jon is a true talent. I highly recommend getting this cd, you won't be disappointed."