By Bob Makin
originally published: 01/24/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Man of Manzanita” from Nefesh Mountain’s forthcoming double LP, “Beacons.” PHOTO COURTESY OF NEFESH MOUNTAIN
Since late summer, Montclair-based progressive Americana band Nefesh Mountain have dropped five singles from their Jan. 31-bound double LP, “Beacons.”
The latest, “Man of Manzanita,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Man of Manzanita” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Jan 24 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
“Man of Manzanita” is a loving tribute to massively influential bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice written by Eric Lindberg, half of the husband-and-wife team that leads Nefesh Mountain.
Several of Tony’s fellow bluegrass great pals play not only on the track, but the entire bluegrass-flavored acoustic second disc of “Beacons.” They include mandolinist Sam Bush, dobroist Jerry Douglas, violinist Stuart Duncan and bassist Mark Schatz. Eric plays guitar and he and wife Doni Zasloff sing.
“Beacons” Disc One is more of an Americana album featuring Nefesh Mountain’s electric band, which includes violinist Bobby Hawk, pianist-organist Danny Fox, bassist Andrew Ryan and drummer David Berger. That disc’s singles include “Race to Run,” the album’s second single released in late September.
For the most part, “Beacons” was recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville by Skyler Chuckry and Joanna Finley. Eric and Doni produced with Rafael Roy and Kelin Verrette. The album was mixed by Brandon Bell and mastered by Pete Lyman.
The “Beacons” tour will kick off Feb. 19 at Folk Alliance International in Montreal and will continue throughout California, the Southeast, the Southwest, and the Northwest. The closest the first leg comes to Jersey is Elkton Music Hall in Maryland on April 24, but more dates will be announced soon.
For more, visit https://www.nefeshmountain.com.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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