September, 2000
Beaver Nelson—Little Brother
Chris Riemenschneider, Austin American Statesman

Beaver Nelson has always been the little brother of the Austin music scene. Earning a record contract while still in his teens, his career fumbled around—the way little brothers do, don't you love them—until finally settling into a modest following that longtime watchers look upon proudly.

On his third CD Little Brother, the sandy-voiced Continental Club regular brandishes both halves of his singer-songwriter tag. Still looking like something the cat or garbage truck dragged in, Nelson and producer "Scrappy" Jud Newcomb do tidy up his barroom sound a bit. That's a wise move, especially on the Faces-ish Your Little Girl and the warm, soulful Playing for Keeps, featuring the Grooveline Horns and the catch-all opening line, "If you don't like me, how you gonna love me?"

Nelson is best when he's at his most naked, though, such as his melancholic, would-be anthem Scattered and the pick of the litter, Little Brother Blues, one of the most endearing, hummable tunes this town has produced all year. Way to go, li'l bro.