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Album: One Step Closer To You
Artist: Nathan Welden
Available From http://www.nathanwelden.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/nathanwelden
"One Step Closer To You" is San Diego native, Nathan Welden's first full-length CD. Produced by local legend, John Katchur, the album features other top local talent such as Jeff Berkley, Ron Franklin, Christiane Lucas and Katchur himself playing bass and lead guitar.
This is a beautiful collection of easy-on-the-ears acoustic-pop/folk music with Nathan's smooth, honey-sweet vocals and laid back, SoCal, sun, surf and sand style.
John Katchur's deft work on guitar and bass…and recording, along with Christiane Lucas' unique style of harmony vocal, lends beautiful support without over-shadowing Nathan's finest instrument, his voice.
As fine a songwriter Nathan is, for some reason he chose to use only 3 of his own compositions in this collection. I've always believed that, for your own album (especially your first full-length album), you should avoid covering other songwriters.
To his credit, Nathan chose very good songwriters to cover…David Wilcox, John Denver and one very fine and under-appreciated local gentleman by the name of Ron Franklin, who also plays guitar on those covers. An interesting and effective twist in doing a cover tune.
Overall, this is a very nice, satisfying and even touching collection of music. I expect every listener to fall in love with Nathan's voice. It has that honest, sincere, maybe even naïve quality that one can't help but accept as true, without question.
The final cut – Living On Love – seems to be a little weak in the harmony area for me. I can't tell if it's the recording of the vocal or simply Christiane's style. I'm being a little nit-picky, I know…but that's my job! [SMILE] Regardless, the song still meets the high standard set by the rest of the album.
From performance, recording and mastering to cover and case design and packaging, this is a professional quality effort. Well thought out and implemented. Beautiful photos used, and just the right amount of liner notes and thank you's.
I don't know if Nathan is set-up to sell CDs from his website or any of the popular online methods as of this writing…but you CAN visit his MySpace and find out where he's playing next. I'm sure he'll have a few discs on hand, ready to find a home with you. - The Troubadour
Discography
2006 "One Step Closer to You"
2009 "Live Your Song"
Photos
Bio
Nathan Welden may appear as a laid back California native from an outsider's perspective, however, it doesn't take long for one to recognize the intricacy of his existence. Nathan Welden is a world adventurer, surfer, avid cyclist, and a highly acclaimed singer/songwriter.
Adventure is always on Welden's mind. In recent years he has cycled along the entire west coast of North America. He has journeyed through Fiji, New Zealand, Patagonia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, the Swiss Alps and Thailand. His most recent venture was an arduous trek around the Everest region in Nepal. Welden finds inspiration in reaching mountain peaks, exploring untouched trails and acquiring knowledge of other cultures.
While at home in San Diego, Welden spends his days gliding smoothly thorough waves along the Southern California coastline, cycling in the local mountains, and playing music.
Welden is a greatly commended singer/ songwriter. While Nathan definitely has his own tone and technique, others have said that his voice is as smooth and warm as James Taylor's, and his songwriting is as rich and emotional as Jim Croce's. It is exceptionally rare to hear a voice that encompasses such a great deal of honesty and truth, portrayed through his songs. Nathan has been nominated for vocalist of the year by the California Country Music Awards (C.C.M.A) and the San Diego Honoring Acoustic Talent (H.A.T.) Awards. In 2006 he released his first full-length CD entitled One Step Closer to You, which was nominated for album of the year by the San Diego H.A.T. Awards. His much-anticipated second album entitled Live Your Song will be released in March, 2009.
Nathan Welden is one of the most inspiring people around. His onstage charm, under the limelight, is the same offstage. He seems to have life just about figured out. Journeying through each day with intent, he lives his life fully, getting the most out of every breath.
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