Top Ten Songs by Nell James

Nell James is an up-and-coming young musician, a teenage multi-instrumentalist who plays all of the instruments in her own recordings. Particularly inspired by progressive rock of the 1970s, such as Yes and Gentle Giant, this artist seeks to meld musical sophistication and complexity with a sensitive, accessible sensibility and a direct, personal sound. She has released one album, “Tempus” (2006), as well as many other songs on her website. This album is a concept album about time (hence the title). Although she has not been creating music for long, Nell James has already produced some noteworthy songs. She is currently working on material for her second album. Here’s a look at some of the notable tracks from previous years.

1. Images

The single for “Tempus”, this piece shows Nell James relating the disconnect one experiences when looking at old photos and trying to relate to a former self: “Have any changes taken place, ‘sides the pictures of your face?” Set to a background of counterpoint guitar/keys and bass and featuring glockenspiel during the middle instrumental section.

2. Tempus

The title track is one the two most “epic” on the record, including several sections varying in mood and instrumentation (and time signature!). The main verse section features unusual vocal counterpoint and classical string guitar.

3. Hunger to Know

The other epic song from “Tempus”, this tune is the real rocker on the album, a marching barrage of synthesizer and guitar parts sewn together with memorable themes and riffs. Here is an example of where Nell James is most notably inspired by the 1970s progressive rock group Nektar (best known for “Remember the Future”, although “Hunger to Know” bears more similarity to their “Recycled” album).

4. End of Yesterday

Driven by Wurlitzer electric piano, classical guitar and simple, vaguely Bonham-esque drumming, this is a ballad influenced by Renaissance melancholy (such as English composers John Dowland or Henry Purcell), but with an ultimately optimistic message: “Must live for tomorrow, it’s the only way I can go.”

5. Fossil

The closing track to “Tempus” built on a bright, acoustic guitar in open tuning and swirling synthesizer, this is also somewhat of a showcase for Nell James’ clean, jazzy guitar playing.

6. Every Year

This is a Christmas song, not on “Tempus”, which Nell James made available on her website. Features an orchestral arrangement built on digital strings and brass, with plenty of sleigh bells. This piece includes several quotes from traditional Christmas carols such as “O Holy Night”.

7. Cast Away

The second single from the album, this harpsichord-based, syncopated piece relates a metaphor for the sometimes-loneliness of the human condition, and goes out with a recorder solo and the line: “It may not be easy, but it is your fate.”

8. Favor and Trace

One of James’ earlier songs, before the album, which appeared on a compilation of music by Yes fans titled “We Love When We Play”. One of her more simpler, more songwriter-like pieces.

9. Patchwork

One of the new songs to appear on James’ next album, available only on her website. This one shows Nell experimenting with somewhat dissonant vocals in the middle section, the lyrics a haunting metaphor for the human mind and memory: “Hidden garden, thorn rose vines overgrown. Pervasive patterns sewn with faces I’ve known.”

10. South Side of the Sky

James’ most oft-discussed recording, this cover of Yes’s classic song from 1972 has drawn the attention of prog rock fans as a fresh and unexpected take on the piece. Few people attempt to cover this multi-part epic, especially not by themselves.