Ned Hill Band – Saw Jesus At the Park – EP
This is a 6-track sampling of Ned Hill’s new music on Saw Jesus At the Park (Drops Sept 18/Independent/20:21) recorded in Nashville, TN & produced by Dave Coleman (lead guitars/6-string bass/melodica/accordion/bgv). The opening song is a pensive number (“Why In the World?”) that’s delicately rendered & sung with ample vitality & the soulfulness of a Buddy Miller. The musicians perform tightly with wonderful Americana ornamentation. Warm, rural, & earthy. The second track “Drive” is thrust along with solid vocals, but it’s the Tina Simpson (violin/viola/bgv) strings that magically sway the excellent tune into a glow.
Veteran Nashville musician Ned Hill (vocals/acoustic guitar/harmonica) lays out some modest & distinct melodies, & they each possess sensitivity. Evident as well in the title track “Saw Jesus At the Park.” The songs aren’t overpowering or bombastic, with fiery solos & electrifying arrangements. Mr. Hill keeps it simple, tasteful & allows each composition to be performed with a modicum of spirit.
Surprisingly, “Little Miss Cairaco” comes across as a new R.E.M. song by Michael Stipe. The only criticism is that the song seems to end a little early. It was quite an interesting set. A second surprise is a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty piece “Hey Tonight,” which is done smartly without a nod to having been a CCR-style tune. It blends well with the other Hill pieces on the EP.
Ned Hill consistently sings with a creative rock ‘n’ roll application with warm overtones & if nothing else, he’s always a persuasive vocalist. The entire showcase is elaborate, yet it’s not without its well-integrated originality that distinguishes the whole band nicely.
The most powerful performance is the finale, “Goodbye Everything,” which is a more heavily constructed composition with Ned’s reserved voice. If this is a little introduction to the band’s ability, the set should lead to an entire album. That is, so long as The Ned Hill Band maintains their instinctively good sense of melody & ability to play covers with their sleight-of-hand reinvention abilities. I found it all quite enjoyable, sophisticated, polished, & mature.
Highlights – “Why In the World?” “Drive,” “Saw Jesus At the Park,” “Little Miss Cairaco,” “Hey Tonight” & “Goodbye Everything.”
Musicians – Kristen Cassel Greer (cello), Jared Manzo & Jeff Thorneycroft (bass), Brady Beard (piano/organ), Chris Benelli (drums/percussion) & string arrangement by Jeff Smith.
Color image courtesy of Scott Willis. CD @ https://www.nedhillmusic.com/
Song Premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2026/08/17/song-premiere-ned-hill-drive/