Nicholas Jamerson - The Narrow Way (2025)

Nicholas Jamerson’s new album The Narrow Way showcases a softer and more introspective side to his musical capabilities. It features 12 songs highlighting his excellence in creating a sonic tapestry of finding joy, amidst the struggles of contemporary life. Produced by the brilliant Rachel Baiman, she choreographs Nicholas’ sound and story into a sequence of deeply personal songs that resonate to any listener.

The connection between the delicate instrumentation and steady paced verses combine poetically throughout as sound engineer Sean Sullivan at The Tractor Shed weaves NJ’s multi-layered songs into a warm blanket of sonic space. Throughout the album, those layers are created by Nicholas’ vocals and warmly tuned guitar. Mixed by Chris Allen, and mastered by Bobbi Giel each song is attuned to the albums entire concept and holds space for the storyline. Accompanied by Josh Oliver on guitar and keys, Steve Haan on bass, and Mark Radabaugh on drums, each song is a progression on the journey through the final chapter in NJ’s trilogy. This album is not an ending nor does it provide narrative resolution in that sense, but it does create a more resolute NIcholas by the last track “On My Way.”

Each song is rooted in the Appalachian storytelling tradition. They trace an arc from self awareness and discovery, to preservation of identity, and into a more fully present character, a character we’ve learned, through witnessing the process, he can be comfortable with. The deeply personal presentation of struggle and true belief in self, as a means to overcome, are especially poignant in his collaboration with his sister Emily Jamerson on “Sunday Dinners.” The familial aspect becomes relatable as each verse and the tragedies within bring them closer together until they’ve found a harmony. Her vocals also appear on the track “Bristol Girls.”

Other musicians, introduced as collaborators, assist Nicholas along his journey. We can safely assume they were deliberate choices and are those who have accompanied him along his path to self discovery. Included in this are Tim O’Brien on “Working Man” (vocals and mandolin) with the banjo played by George Jackson. Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show) collaborates with Nicholas on “Prater Creek” and helps NJ add some speed to his step. Shelby Means plays bass and provides vocals on their amazing collaboration “One With You.” Rachel Baiman’s vocals, fiddle and banjo present throughout the album and add to the rich warm tone of the overall album sound. Phil Bronchtein also adds background vocals and keys.

The final track, “On My Way” features a cast of characters that add to the songs upbeat, sing along closing. Included in this are Zach Lafferty on lead guitar, Aaron Smith on mandolin, and Wes Smith on the weed jar. To close out the album, we find Nicholas embracing himself and who he is, recognizing that he can’t change the past or fundamentals of his character. With the last line of “But after all the things we all been through, Lord, I know we’re going to be alright,” he ends with a collective confidence and hope, a message both personal and universal.

The Narrow Way takes the sadness, distills it through reflection, and finds hope in acceptance and the harmonies created, however the narrative turns out. Deeply personal and simultaneously relatable, Nicholas has crafted an album that cuts through the melancholy and pulls the soul upward towards clarity. Truly listening to the words and hearing their mirror reflection in sound is impeccably done by Nicholas and everyone who helped make this album possible. It feels warm and nostalgic, comfortable like the blanket on the cover, and a story we can listen to time and time again.