The CD, "Waving Prairie" is Chet's second CD. Originally, this record was scheduled to follow his critically acclaimed first record. Unfortunately, his record company was in disarray because of a corporate buy out. So, the record sat on the shelf. We are VERY happy to be able to offer it to you. This is a wonderful collection of tunes that expand on the songs showcased on his first record.
This CD is packed with cameo performances by some of San Francisco's top players. Its a
great CD for a rainy day. Mellow tunes with some jazzy influences. His guitar tunings are
haunting and his slide guitar work unique.
The title track, "Waving Prairie" will give you chills with it's dynamics. Multiple acoustic guitars surround you and the Indian Drums will have you swaying. Nichols uses Indian Drums on the hypnotic, "Kites In The Country". "Lady, Oh, Lady" has a wonderful Joni Mitchell feel to it. Like Joni, Chet uses words to paint pictures that are fresh even today.
The CD continues Chet's minimalistic, yet, classically dynamic, production approach and is engineered with master's touch by Stephen Barncard. These two fellows make some fine music together. Surely, this CD will become one of your favorite collections of songs from the 1970s.
Chet has performed as a solo "Opening Act" in concert with:
The Jefferson Airplane
Jethro Tull
The Grateful Dead
George Carlin
Steve Martin
POCO
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Big Brother & The Holding Company
Linda Ronstadt
B.B. King
The Charlie Daniels Band
Dan Hicks & The Hotlicks
Brewer & Shipley
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
It's A Beautiful Day
Pacific Gas & Electric
Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen
Mary Travers
Country Joe McDonald
The Grassroots
Hot Tuna
Mason Proffit
Blue Oyster Cult
Southern Comfort
John Lee Hooker
Richard Pryor
John Denver
The Guess Who
Steve Goodman
The Mary Clayton Band
The Kansas City Philharmonic ... and more
He has worked in recording studios with:
Stephen Barncard (David Crosby)
Spencer Dryden (The Jefferson Airplane)
Nicky Hopkins (The Rolling Stones)
Dave Garabaldi (Tower of Power)
Pete Sears (The Jefferson Airplane)
Nick Gravenities (Big Brother)
Sal Marquez (The "New" Tonight Show Band)
The New Riders Of The Purple Sage
Jack Shoerer (Van Morrison)
Henry Lewie (Joni Mitchell)
Don Preston (Wings)
Waving Prairie - A Review
After having read the 'Time
Loop' review, Chet Nichols sent me a copy of the follow up album. It
was recorded in 1973 and 74, but just prior to the release Chet Nichols
got caught in a corporate squabble between Kama Sutra's president and a
new owner who had just bought the record company (full details here).
This resulted in the record never being released, the most unjust
treatment any recording can ever receive. To make matters even worse
the new label owners would not let Nichols out of his contract but
didn't allow him to record either. This effectively ground his carreer
to a halt.
Chet Nichols finally released 'Waving Prairie' himself in 2001 on his own small label.
As I expected in advance, the album doesn't touch me the same way 'Time
Loop' does. After all 'Time Loop' quickly became my personal standard
to which all classic singer-songwriter & folk-pop releases are now
compared. James Tayor, Joni Mitchell, all of those
far better known folk artists have to eat quite a lot of 'Time Loop'
dust. But even Nichols' own later material, including 'Waving Prairie',
doesn't quite scale the same heights in my opinion.
Nevertheless
this does not mean Waving Prairie is a weak or a bland record. This is
still signature (early) Nichols, but a bit mellower, a bit less
dynamic, and maybe also a bit more (even more) introspective. The style
hasn't changed. Apart from the addition of horns in a few songs and the
slide guitar in 'Judas Spy' any of these songs could easily pose as a
'Time Loop' track. It just wouldn't have been one of the standouts.
Since
I feel the vocal melodies on general have less instant appeal this
means that the album doesn't have the same ability to captivate you
from the start. 'Waving Prarie' is more the kind of record that will
grow on you over time.
As far as instant impact is concerned
the crescendo in 'Earth River' and the title song itself are still
impressive. The title track especially, with that surprising almost
Oriental vocal harmony in the middle (that sadly isn't repeated) and
the ethnic drums and with its fluent and slightly intricate (almost
progressive) structure, is quite breathtaking and deservedly won the
"Best Folk Song Contest" at Broadjam.com.
On a finishing note my guess is that if you
enjoyed the 'Time Loop' album, 'Waving Prairie' will please you as
well. In fact, I think 'Waving Prairie' feels like a companion album to
'Time Loop'. So if you don't know Nichols' music yet (which is most
likely the case), go to his site and start with (the must have) 'Time
Loop' first.
Chet's Music :: Contact Chet
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