Nick Teale – Glitterfingers
Nick Teale has a new album Glitterfingers that is an amalgam of styles that are primarily rock-based, often with throwback early 60’s styles blended with contemporary folk cadences, with stories of struggle generally set to an uptempo beat. Hailing from Kentucky, Nick weaves in bits of rockabilly and Southern gothic guitar with the sometimes less than pretty realities of life.
“Angel Wings” opens the album with a hushed guitar and backdrop sustained organ chord, and the vocals launch “won’t someone buy me a pair of angel wings / to sail right over these cold and storm seas / feels like I’m drowning…” The album is an ode to someone who passed away as a teenager and won’t ever get to experience the struggles of growing up and growing old. “Karaoke Queen” presents an upbeat electric number, and the vocals are still the star here, with some throwback ’60’s style layering.
Later in the album is the story of childhood and trying to fathom what’s important from adults, when sometimes they don’t offer the best guidance: “Bigscreen TV.” “I found myself thinking how bad could this guy be if he was gonna share his Bigscreen TV.” Sung in an upbeat style, this song still delves into some challenging shadows – this guy was lulling the kid with the big screen tv while abusing his mom. Not so fun.
“Heavy Hand” is nimble acoustic guitar playing and this one highlights Nick Teale’s innovative approach amidst the lament: “why did you do me like you did, why did you leave me here with nothing but a heavy hand.” “Unclear” takes some bits of Bob Dylan lyrics and combines them with other lyrics in ways that emphasize the way a song can be catchy and memorable when the lyrics are virtually nonsensical. It’s eclectic and postmodern.
The album was produced by Anne Gauthier, Jordan Bailey, and Jason Groves. Musicians on the album are Nick Teale on vocals, guitar, bass, and kazoo; Kiana Benhoff, Juliana Rodriguez, Jeri Howell on backing vocals; Jordan Bailey on drums and keyboards; Emily Miller on fiddle; Nathan Link on bass; John Hawkins on slide guitar; A Girl Named Earl on washboard and backing vocals and songwriting for “Heavy Hand”; Larry Bitensky on keyboards; Daniel Worley on electric guitar; Rob Barnes on bass; Brian Cusato on drums; Jordan Bailey on drums and keyboard; Sergei on Nikitin songwriter for “Aleksandra”; Craig Wagner on electric guitar; Todd Hildreth on keyboard; Ted Richardson on drums; Chris Fitzgerald on upright bass; Kelly Hood on lead guitar and backing vocals; Jordan Carlson on electric guitar; Thomas Hicks on electric guitar and howls; Patrick Robb on bass; and Dan Iles on drums.
Find more details and information here on his website: https://tealeappeal.com/