Album Notes

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Here's a review from 20th Century Guitar magazine,May 2005:

MORTIMER NELSON
Poor Player
(Chickadee Music)
A stellar sounding mix of acoustic jazz with classical guitar overtones (and hints of Ragtime too), Poor Player is a crisply recorded set of compelling acoustic instrumentals with Nelson's Taylor guitar ringing out loud and clear. Nelson is more Stefan Grossman or John Renbourn than Leo Kottke, yet the 15 track all original set maintains an atmospheric, experimental edge while seducing listeners with its sumptuous sound stage. The occasional addition of Riki Tesea on Casio SK1 synth adds some nice edges, and guitar buffs won't fail to be impressed by Nelson's meticulous command of the acoustic guitar fretboard. Nelson's sinewy chordal picking hits new heights on the set-closing 11+ minute track 'Tidepools'.

Robert Silverstein
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And a review from the Bridge Guitar Reviews website:


Mortimer Nelson Poor Player 2004

This native citizen of Seattle, USA, has released his first album, Poor Player. Mortimer Nelson plays a mix of jazz and classical guitar music on an acoustic Taylor guitar. His approach to music is stylistic and yet very adventurous as he really digs into his music in previously unobserved terrain as on Scant Consolation and Island Crossing which have both a melancholic and intimate setting. Wheel is a very remarkable composition with a fantastic atmosphere and skilled techniques. Mortimer also chose to record some pieces through a synthesizer and the sound created with the effect processor got a totally different sound which I personally would not have chosen as the effect does not serve his fantastic composing skills and his magnificent approach to guitar music. On-Ramp and Blue Marble let your mind dig deep under the surface to explore new boundaries. Tidepools is an 11 minute long composition with imaginary roads expressed. All his compositions are in standard tuning and the chord changes are wonderfully executed. His first-rate techniques make him a unique guitarist and creator of atmosphere.

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews
http://www.xs4all.nl/~guitars/perception.html