The message of hope on South
Jersey/Philly-based Gooch and
the Motion’s sophomore LP, “Outside
the Window,” comes at a time
when hope is as rare to find as an
toilet paper. And it’s not just the
follow-up to the 2016 debut, “Comin’
Home,” that offers hope, but
the story of Ryan “Gooch” Nelson
as well.
Sixteen years ago, Gooch was
paralyzed in a car accident, leaving
him a quadriplegic, but just
enough motion remains in his
hands to play lap steel guitar and
harmonica. On top of that, Gooch
is a cancer survivor. Undeterred by
his illness and injuries, he formed
four years ago the Motion: bassist
Adam Todaro, acoustic guitarist
Josh Dubois, drummer Andy
Meyer and electric guitarist Mike
Pasquale. A dream since he was
12 to form a band, his provides
the Motion that the rest of his extremities
cannot.
But you’d never know listening
to him. Gooch sings like the late,
great Dr. John, plays lap steel like
David Lindley and blues harp like
G. Love in a mix of Americana music
that blends blues with country,
funk, soul, R&B and good ol’ rock
‘n’ roll.
Watch Gooch and the Motion perform “Do You Feel?”
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 71
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