I would do it all over again
Just to see your hair dancing in the sea of Eastern wind
Around two years ago, fellow blogger Obbverse brought up this song and artist and I’ve listened to him ever since. It’s so refreshing to hear this newer Americana. I really like this artist. His voice is gritty and on point. Check his album out also if you have the time.
Originally from Missouri, Nash moved to New York City in 2006. He performed in clubs on the Lower East Side such as The Living Room and Rockwood Music Hall. In 2009, he independently released his debut solo album, New York Town, which was recorded at The Magic Shop in New York’s Soho neighborhood. He usually goes by just Israel Nash now.
You can hear his influences of the ’60s and ’70s with artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Band, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. He is a hard-working artist. Since 2009 he has 7 studio albums, 2 live, and 5 EPs. His last one called Ozarker was released in 2023. He has maintained a dedicated following and continues to tour and record music.
On getting more popular in Europe. “I remember a night after a show in Amsterdam, my wife was sitting on the bed in a hotel room counting the money we made that night and it came out to $1,700. She says, ‘Maybe you can make a living at this!’ That was an awesome moment. Since then, it was a growing thing in Europe. Playing there gave me a lot of confidence because we played a ton of shows.”
Israel Nash: “I grew up in little churches that were in the middle of nowhere in Missouri, so having the woods and being outside has been part of me since I was a kid,” I also saw community––just this sense of people needing something, somebody, to look forward to. That was church for them, and that’s okay. I don’t really feel like there is just one right thing to look forward to. As a musician, I think that’s what I’ve found, too––something for people to look forward to, a reason to come together. No matter what changes in my career, that is my anchor: the need people have.”
*I transcribed the lyrics so there are probably mistakes…but I can safely say…they are the only printed lyrics to this song on the internet as far as I could find. *
Pray For Rain
The city’s lit up like the Fourth of July
The children playing in the street
I’m laying in the bed next to you
Just trying to get some sleep
Dont you know I will need the rest
Need a pocket full of cash
I’m tired of working my hands to the bone
And I can barely pay the rent
Cause it’s a hard road ahead
and it’s the price we pay
So pray for me
And won’t you pray for rain
Until you miss the mid-western sun
It’s half as big but it’s twice as warm
My heart is not a thousand miles away
But I can’t look you in the face
And tell you I don’t miss those days
Cause no one knows what tomorrow brings
The bed of roses or some shattered dream
I would do it all over again
Just to see your hair dancing in the sea of Eastern wind
Cause it’s a hard road ahead
And it’s the price we pay
So pray for me
And won’t you pray for rain
Seeing if your dreams come true
Clouds may follow us
Some might say this bird has flown
But I don’t think it has
Lord I know it can
Cause it’s a hard road ahead
and it’s the price we pay
So pray for me
And won’t you pray for rain
Cause it’s a hard road ahead
and it’s the price we pay
So pray for me
And won’t you pray for rain
Cause it’s a hard road ahead
and it’s the price we pay
So pray for me
And won’t you pray for rain
…
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I had never heard of Israel Nash (Gripka). He sounds mighty sweet. I agree he’s got a bit of a John Fogerty vibe going on, especially the vocals. I can also hear traces of Dylan and Neil Young. I gotta check him out!
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I’ve listened to this song quite a bit in the past two years but last night I transcribed the lyrics…I like it even more…great song.
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I can hear John Fogerty on this song, really great stuff.
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Yes there is a lot of Fogerty in it…he stays true to his influences.
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Not bad at all, no question (as everybody has pointed out) he sounds very John Fogerty like, particularly on the verse. Is that his usual sound or something more pronounced on this track?
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No this is it… this album is more acoustic based…I ‘ve heard some newer tracks but I know this album the most. His voice is like Fogerty…funny when I was writing it…I knew he reminded me of someone…I put down CCR but I should have said Fogerty…but the lyrics are close to him also…really good music.
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Sounds right up my alley Max. Saved to Spotify for future investigation. New name for me.
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Obbverse picked a winner with this one…no doubt…I can’t take credit for finding him. I even like him more after transcribing those lyrics…good songwriter as well.
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I heard first it on a sampler Uncut magazine CD, I liked it from the start, and yes, very Fogarty. But I also like the changes in tempo as it slides towards the ending. Just great musicianship all round IMHO.
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That bridge is one of the things that won me over. I just could never find enough info on him to make a post and I came across those quotes. When I transcribed the lyrics…that really did it as well. A very good song writer…anyway I appreciate you sharing.
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We’re like moths to a flame our little group!
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I’m going to whine….You know what is hard about some of these artists? Writing a post on the very little info that is out there. I had to use his quotes to make a post….not to mention the lyrics I probably butchered…thats what took me so long….I just wish there was more info on the newer artists like this…
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Oh I feel your pain my friend. Its hard for talent to rise to the next level as a result. Im sure you run into the same thing said on five different platforms. I find that especially bad for historic names. A lot of copy and pasting going on, which is fine as long as you acknowledge it. It’s when it’s presented as original that drives me nuts. There’s some cheese to go with your whine!
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LOL…yes….I read the same info….the exact same over and over again. Sometimes I will read a lot of quotes and make my own story from there…I guess that is alright….I don’t make up the story but go along with what they are saying. Sometimes that is all you have.
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Exactly.
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I like tis. Will bracket some time for more listens. I’m hearing lots of influences. All good.
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He is a good one CB…someone to keep your eye on. I think he goes by Israel Nash now. It is nice finding these newer artists that have soul in their singing and songwriting.
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I agree. They are out there. Word of mouth and hearing them by accident is the only way you find this stuff. Why I tune into your station. Observe struck some gold.
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Reminds me of Mellencamp. I like the earnestness of his singing.
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Thanks for the shout out Max. Looks like a chord has been struck- to wedge in another clumsy pun- today. And Randy says it well, we are all over the world but still moths to the same flame. If it’s good it deserves an audience.
Those Uncut CDs led me to a few unknown artists I like/liked. Thank God for the Library system here, I cain’t /won’t shell out nigh on 20 bucks for a magazine anymore! I find less and less music on them that I like these days, but for a while whoever compiled the CD had tastes fairly in sync with mine.
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Sorry obbverse….I didn’t mean to step on your comment to Randy…I didn’t look.
Yes you found a winner here. I’m going to keep my ear out for him in the future. He could have walked out of the 70s no trouble.
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