Nell Robinson was born in Dothan Alabama, with roots going back 200 years to the family farm in Lower Alabama. She sings in her grandmother's name.

After her debut album Loango charted in bluegrass and Americana in 2010, Nell Robinson was named one of the most "utterly charming," "freshest voices" in roots music, and likened to early Emmylou Harris and Hazel Dickens. Nell returns with her anticipated 2nd release with more of her original compositions, On The Brooklyn Road, titled after the red clay dirt road that led to her family’s farm in rural Alabama.

The album’s songs are interspersed with field recordings of stories by her mother and uncles about an innocent time long since passed (italicized in track listing). Nell sings in the name of her late grandmother and as a way to honor her Southern ancestry. Having just turned 50, and singing for a short four years, Nell has had extraordinary success, appearing on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, Strawberry Music Festival, the Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival, and selling out the venerable Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley.

On the Brooklyn Road was produced by Nell and Jim Nunally, who adds splendid harmonies that complement Robinson’s warm clear- as-a-bell lead vocals. Just listen to their chemistry on Richard Brandenburg’s tender ballad “Mayflies,” a highlight of the album.

Reviewers clamored for more of Nell's original writing after getting a taste of her talent from Loango. Her original songs on On the Brooklyn Road display her gift of humor, story-telling and deep feeling. From the Cajun-flavored song about temptation “Don’t Light My Fire” to her co-write with Laurie Lewis, "Wahatchee" to “I’m Brilliant" about the denial of alcoholism. On many of the tracks Nell is backed by the remarkable John Reischman & the Jaybirds, a highly-gifted and respected bluegrass band from the Northwest. Her spare and soulful rendition of Loretta Lynn's "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl" features Rob Ickes on dobro and Nunally on guitar. The CD closes like a Southern revival with “Last Old Shovel” and “Sweet Sunny South."

As on Nell’s first album Loango, there are 2 bonus tracks by The Henriettas, which is her and Cary Sheldon’s tribute to the 1930’s sister act, the DeZurik Sisters. Their funny and intricate yodeling style has to be heard to be believed.

There is something very charming and timeless going on On The Brooklyn Road and the CD’s celebration of life in the rural South is not to be missed.

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