Gerry Beckley – Merciful
Sometimes pensive music can be penetrating. Former multi-platinum member of America (“A Horse With No Name”) multi-instrumentalist & vocalist Gerry Beckley is exceptional with reflective, melodic songs that explore relationships, moving boundaries as we age, savoring old ideas, uncovering unfinished compositions, & dusting off old songs & pairing them with new writing. It all comes to fruition with the 13-track Merciful (Drops August 28/Blue Elan Records/40:07) produced & recorded in Sydney, Australia & Venice, CA by longtime collaborator Jeff Larson (bgv) & Beckley.
There are tunes that are lifted gently by sharp brass, & this set does not linger in nostalgia. The songs don’t rely on the America sound but are the work of a mature, sophisticated singer-songwriter who’s lived the seasoned themes. “All the Wounded Cowboys” is played with instinctive originality. The work of a veteran performer who knows how to add effects for accentuation rather than embellishments.
There are a variety of musical explorations in the showcase. “Merciful” has poignant lyrics, is gentle & a good intermezzo between songs. This could also be reinterpreted into a slow cocktail lounge jazz standard with a smokier voice. A delicate arrangement, short & sweet. Then, a slight Jimmy Buffett island-feel with clarity & focus, etched with horns & refined percussion to color the margins as Beckley sings the uplifting “Get It Right” just a few notches above James Taylor’s comfort zone.
The momentum on this set is good. Surprisingly, Beckley’s youthful voice comes marvelously close to the ’70’s English band Stackridge (“The Man In the Bowler Hat,” “Extravaganza”) lead vocalists Andy Davis (“Jabe”) & James Warren on their slower songs. They were also known together as Korgis (“Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime,” “If I Had You”). The style appears on each “Monster” “My Idea” & the absorbing instrumental “The Last Song” effectively & impressively.
I’m not a big fan of covering classic songs, but Mr. Beckley with backing vocals by Graham Nash on The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood” is a stunner. Totally reinvented. Sadly, it suggests to me how great Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young could’ve been late in their careers had they sounded this good together. Criticism? The song is too short.
The material, while played with expertise, is relatively simple; it’s not progressive rock. It’s also well-conceived & definitively performed by a musician who knows his craft. On “When the Well Runs Dry,” bass guitarist Jason Scheff is the son of legendary bassist Jerry Scheff (Elvis Presley/The Doors/Roy Orbison).
Highlights – “When the Well Runs Dry,” “All the Wounded Cowboys,” “Merciful,” “Get It Right,” “Monster,” “The Last Song,” “Norwegian Wood,” “Big Rain,” & “My Idea.”
Musicians –Gerry (acoustic & electric guitars/piano/drums/percussion/horns/effects), Jason Scheff (bass), Nate Strasser (piano), Matt Combs (strings), Steve Fekete (guitar), Luke Davison, Brian Young & Ryland Steen (drums/percussion), Nick Lane (horns/Euphonium), & James Valentine (sax).
A folded lyric sheet is included. Color image from Gerry’s Bandcamp. CD @ Amazon & Bandcamp + https://blueelan.com/blogs/news/gerry-beckley-announces-new-solo-album-merciful-out-august-28-2026 & https://www.gerrybeckley.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Gerry Beckley “Aurora”