"Only Hoping"

There's real magic in the work of Al Nicol. There's also real magic that guided the work of Al Nicol but we'll get to that in a second. The Canadian-born singer/songwriter writes some of the most affecting compositions around. His lyrics are contemplative and thoughtful, his voice has a bold and breezy command and his pastoral compositions bring to mind everyone from Nick Drake to Ron Sexsmith. The path leading to Nicol's new album Only Hoping was shown to him through a visit with a shaman and once he received that knowledge, Nicol wasted no time in venturing into the unknown to discover the sonic riches that would form the record. I'll let him tell you that story, but let me say this: Only Hoping is a stirring blend of indie folk and spare psychedelia and it was helmed by MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger whose production effortlessly lifts the songs into the cosmos. Featuring members of Bonny Light Horseman, Erin Rae, and Taylor himself, Only Hoping finds Nicol kicking his songwriting into another otherworldly gear. It's a work of pure magic.

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