Search - Rachel Nelson :: Change is a Thousand Hearts

Folk artist and songwriter Rachel Nelson delivers a mature offering for her solo debut. The songs in Change is a Thousand Hearts search for the common denominators that bring about positive change. Each cut explores a different facet of change; personal, political, and global. With roots in traditional Appalachian and Celtic folk music, Nelson's originals range from traditional simplicity to swing, blues, and jazzy grooves. Melody-driven and sparely crafted, her songs connect with listeners. Song topics include deep ecology, community, global economics, and peace. The cuts on this acoustic CD have a wide range, from the faux-motown feel of "Into My Picture" to the stark Celtic voice and fiddle of "Julia Butterfly." In between we find the bluesey "Electronic Herd," the swing of "When I Forget to Sing," the Appalachian gospel sound of "How Can I Keep from Singing," and the hauntingly delicate picked banjo accompaniment to "Your One Voice." What pulls it all together is Nelson's voice, shifting to fit each genre. Although these songs may resonate within a political context for many, this writer seems to be aiming at a more universal connection. Widely different audiences respond to the affirmation that what they do in this world does make a difference: "We thank you/For your one voice/Our symphony is a new one/Now you have changed it with your one voice."