BIG STIR RECORDS proudly joins forces with NELSON BRAGG to bring you the definitive career summary of the acclaimed LA singer-songwriter's catalog. The new album MÉLODIE DE NELSON: A POP ANTHOLOGY will be out June 20 on Vinyl, CD and Streaming worldwide. The record is far more than a “Best Of” collection: featuring the all-new indie hit single “We're Gonna Laugh About It” along with rarities and freshly remixed tracks, it's Nelson's handpicked assortment of the best power pop tunes from his solo catalog, each one a radio-ready stunner. The album is available for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/nelsonbragg-mdn

NELSON BRAGG is a beloved fixture of the LA pop scene, known to international audiences (and Beach Boys fans) for his years as part of the Brian Wilson Band during the late-career renaissance that yielded the definitive edition of the legendary SMiLE album. He's also served as an essential collaborator on drums, percussion and vocals for an array of local and global pop luminaries like Stew & TNP, Anny Celsi, Chris Stamey, The Mockers, and legendary Wrecking Crew members Hal Blaine, Don Randi and Jerry Cole. Along the way, he's created and released a trilogy of acclaimed solo albums: DAY INTO NIGHT (2006), WE GET WHAT WE WANT (2012), and GRATITUDE BLUES (2021).

Those albums serve as the starting point for the new collection, but there's much more to it than a simple roundup of popular favorites. The title MÉLODIE DE NELSON may be a cheeky nod to Serge Gainsbourg, but the music it contains evokes the best offerings of Bragg's personal pop pantheon: The Beach Boys and The Byrds, of course, but also college rock titans like The dB's, R.E.M. and Bob Mould. “Melody” is certainly the operative word, and the songwriting on display makes a strong argument that Bragg is now, and has long been, one of its most gifted practitioners.

“For this collection, I wanted to focus on pop songs,” says Nelson. “I felt that I could release the best power pop album ever if I focused on that genre only out of my catalog. So while this is technically a 'Best of Nelson' or a 'Greatest Hits' or whatever silly title one could use, what it really is is the best of my pop and folk rock. I think that makes for a better album and listening experience. These songs hang together pretty well, and proud I am of them!”

Bragg's mindfulness of the listening experience drives everything here. MÉLODIE kicks off with “We're Gonna Laugh About It”, a brand track recorded expressly for the Anthology. It wouldn't do to call the song “previously unheard”: released as a single in early May, its anthemic lyrics and ringing guitars made it an instant hit on global indie radio with chart rankings in the US and UK alike, bringing Nelson his widest audience yet. The track, Bragg's newest composition, is soon to be followed onto the airwaves by one of his oldest and most beloved songs as the second single from this album. That song is “Forever Days” from his debut... and with its sparkling jangly texture and yearning vocals, it stands as proof that Nelson has has had a way with hooks from the very beginning.

A consummate curator as the head of his own imprint Steel Derrick Records and a passionate record collector, Bragg has made sure that MÉLODIE DE NELSON is packed with fresh surprises to delight his devoted followers and new fans alike. Three songs from GRATITUDE BLUES – the swamp-pop stomper “No One's Home In Hollywood”, the chamber pop gem “Every Minute Of The Day” and the irresistible jangle rocker “Glorious Days” – have been completely remixed for the album by esteemed LA producer Steve Refling, and “Lost All Our Sundays” appears here in a version from the B-side of the Vinyl 45 “I Want Love”. Despite the focus on pop hooks, there's no lack of sonic variety on the collection. “You Could Believe” could be the best Rick Springfield song you've never heard, “Lived This Life Too Long” evokes Murmur-era R.E.M. and XTC, while both “Every Minute Of The Day” and “Whitechapel Girl” tap different sides of the classic Pet Sounds arrangements Nelson knows so well.

The vinyl edition of the album, on cloud colored wax, is as beautifully packaged as one would expect, and the CD version boasts three bonus tracks (also included on the Digital release). And there's more to come from Bragg and Big Stir Records: on June 27, one week after the release of the new collection, the artist's full back catalog will be relaunched to all streaming services worldwide (marking the streaming debut of the GRATITUDE BLUES album). These are glorious days indeed for fans of NELSON BRAGG, and lovers of power pop, harmony-fueled folk rock, and beautifully arranged, heartfelt songwriting as a craft. MÉLODIE DE NELSON: A POP ANTHOLOGY is too close to perfect on it own to be considered a simple teaser, but those who fall under its spell will soon be able to follow NELSON BRAGG's full musical journey from its start to the present. Here's hoping there's much more to come.

Nelson Bragg's 2021 album "Gratitude Blues".

NELSON BRAGG Gratitude Blues

Lose Yourself (4:26) (Nelson Bragg)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmonies, Acoustic 12 string Guitar, Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Mellotron
Jonny Niemann - Piano, Mellotron, Outro Electric Guitar
JK Harrison - Bass, Electric Guitar

Glorious Days (3:05) (Nelson Bragg)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmonies, Acoustic 12 String Guitars, Electric Guitar, Drums, Bass, Percussion, Piano, handclaps Steve Refling - 12 String Rickenbackers, Guitar Solo Julia Ewan - handclaps

Whitechapel Girl (4:26) (Nelson Bragg/Thomas Walsh)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmonies, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Dobro, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Mellotron, Bells, Stylophone Roger Joseph Manning Jr. - Harpsichord, Calliope, Carousel Emeen Zarookian - Bass
Steve Stanley - Harmony, Bass Harmonica, Marxophone Steve Refling – Banjo

I Want Love (3:58) (Elton John/Bernie Taupin)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmonies, Acoustic 12 String Guitar, Drums, Melodica, Gary Griffin - Piano Steve Refling – Bass

The Cool Kids (4:07) (Nelson Bragg/Peter Holsapple)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmony, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar, Percussion, Bells Peter Holsapple - Lead Vocals, Harmony, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Organ Wurlizer Probyn Gregory - Trombone, French Horn, Trumpet Steve Stanley - Bass Harmonica Kaitlin Wolfberg - Violin Janice Mautner Markham - Violin Lyn Bertles - Viola Ken Oak – Cello

Seriously Girl (4:07) (Nelson Bragg)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmonies, Acoustic 12 String, 12 String Rickenbacker, Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Wurlizer, Mellotron, Synthesizer, piano Carl Byron - Hammond B3 Brian Kassan - Bass Probyn Gregory - Trumpet, Trombone

No One’s Home In Hollywood (3:59) (Nelson Bragg/Steve Refling)

Steve Refling is The Band and Sings the Harmonies Nelson Bragg Sings Lead Vocals

The Dover Twins (2:47) (Nelson Bragg/Tony Poole)

Tony Poole - Main Solo Harmonies, 12 String Rickenbacker and Solo, Electric Guitar, Drums, Bass, Keyboards Nelson Bragg - Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Desk Bells, Harmonies (Bell Section) Dreams Made Us Free (5:04) (Nelson Bragg)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmonies, Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Percussion, Melodica Brian Kassan - Piano Steve Refling - Bass Carl Byron - Hammond B3 Ivan Pyzow - Trumpet Vinnie Bell I.A. - UnderWater Guitar

The Last Girl I Ever Loved (4:00) (Nelson Bragg)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmony, Acoustic 12 string, 12 String Rickenbacker, Electric Guitar Parts, Drums, Percussion, Shitar Jim Babjak - Main Electric Guitars & Guitar Solos Severo Jornacion - Bass Steve Refling - Electric Guitar Parts

What Are Clouds (4:44) (Kip Boardman)

Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals, Harmony (Chorus), Acoustic 12 String Guitars, Drums/Cymbals, Percussion, Autoharp, Bells Anny Celsi - Lead Vocals (Chorus) Bryan Ewald - Electric Guitars, Slide Guitars, Pedal & Lap Steel Edwin Livingston - Double Bass JK harrison - Upright Piano Brian Kassan - Fender Rhodes

Songs composed and arranged by Nelson Bragg for Oh My God That Song Is Great Publishing [ASCAP] except

Track #4 - Elton John/Bernie Taupin for UMG, Inc.,

Track #5 - Nelson Bragg/Peter Holsapple for Hospital Music/BMG [BMI],

Track #7 - Nelson Bragg/Steve Refling,

Track #8 - Nelson Bragg/Tony Poole for Aurora Music [PRS-MCPS],

Track #11 - Kip Boardman for Dreckfast Food Songs [BMI].

Album engineered by Steve Refling except: Track #1 by Jonny Niemann and most of Track #8 by Tony Poole at Milestone Studios, Oxfordshire, UK.

This was mixed by NB and SR - Nelson Bragg and Steve Refling except

Track #1 - Right channel by Jonny Niemann and left channel by JK Harrison. Mastered by Paul du Gré at Paul and Mike's Recording, Burbank, CA.

All photography by Julia Ewan except my on stage self- portrait on the insert cover.

Package art concept and layout by Nelson Bragg and Julia Ewan.

NB cartoon by Fran Hingston.

Poster art by NB.

NELSON BRAGG We Get What We Want (2012)

Composed, Produced & Arranged By Nelson Bragg Except: Baby Let Your Hair Grow Long By Brian Wilson 1988 Beach Bum Music (BMI);Arranged By N.B.,

She Used To Love Me (Actual Title: My Mad Kitty) By Jeff Kelly 1984 Half The World Publishing (BMI);

Welcome To Nowhereville By Nelson Bragg and Rich McCulley, Rich McCulley Music (BMI).

Tyme And Tyde Agree By Anny Celsi (2012 Ragazza Music BMI) & Nelson Bragg, Arranged By N.B.

Recorded By Steve Refling At The Lincoln Lounge, Venice, CA. Except: Mike Simmons' Guitars & Bass And N.B.'s Acoustic Guitars & Drums On You Could Believe Recorded By Mike Simmons At Crab Apple West, Huntington Beach, CA. Steel Derrick 1979, Tyme And Tyde Agree - Recorded By Rob Campanella At Figment Sound, Lake Hollywood, CA

Welcome To Nowhereville - Recorded By Rich McCulley At Red Hill Recording, Echo Park, LA, CA.

Piano For Let The Cruel World Go Was Recorded And Finessed By Gary Griffin At The Hall Of Supreme Harmony, LA, CA. Far-out. Mixed By Steve Refling & Nelson Bragg At The Lincoln Lounge. Except: Steel Derrick 1979, Tyme And Tyde Agree - Mixed By Nelson Bragg & Rob Campanella At Figment Sound.

Art Design And Direction: Nelson Bragg

Art Lovingly Implemented By Anna Maria Rosales

Photography: Front - Taro Yoshida, Back Portrait - Lisa Margolis

Mastered By Brad Vance At Red Mastering, Newbury Park, CA

1. You Could Believe Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Electric Guitar Parts.Mike Simmons - Bitchin' Les Paul Goldtop & Telecaster Guitars, Bass. Steve Refling - Additional Electric Guitar.

2. What She's Done To Him ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Percussion, Glockenspiel. Probyn Gregory - Trumpet, French Horn, Flugel Horn, Baritone Horn. Nick Walusko - Electric & Baritone Guitars. Scott Halper - Bass. Carl Byron - Hammond Organ.

3. Trying Hard To Please You ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, Acoustic & Electric Rhythm Guitars, Drums, Percussion, Drones. Rick Shea - Epic Electric Guitar & Guitar Solos. Severo Jornacion - Bass. Carl Byron - Piano, Hammond Organ. Steve Refling - Guitar licks 1, 2 & 3. Rob Campanella - Additional Guitar & Guitar Lick #4 .

4. Baby Let Your Hair Grow Long ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, Acoustic & Slide Guitars, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Mellotron, Vibes, Pipe Organ. Rob Campanella - Electric 12 String Guitar. Probyn Gregory - Trumpet .

5. Steel Derrick 1979 ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Bass, Drums, Percussion. Rob Campanella & Nelson Bragg - Mellotron. Evie Sands - Water Vocals. Probyn Gregory - Trumpet.

6. Let The Cruel World Go ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, Drums, Bass. Nelson Bragg & Gary Griffin - Piano. Strings - The Licorice Strings: Al, Camille & Doris Delgato.

7. She Used To Love Me ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, 12 String Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Banjo, Stylophone. John Lebhar - Dobro.

8. I'm In No Mood ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Drums, Percussion. Rich McCulley - Electric 12 String Guitars & Guitar Solo.

9. Welcome To Nowhereville ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies, Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Percussion. Rich McCulley - Electric 12 String Guitars, Bass. Carl Byron - Hammond B3, Piano. Nick Walusko - 6 String Italia Guitar.

10. Tyme And Tyde Agree ∕ Anny Celsi & Nelson Bragg - Lead Vocals & Harmonies. Nelson Bragg - 12 String Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Percussion. Probyn Gregory - Altered Tuned Acoustic & Angel Hair Guitars, Bass. Farmer Dave Scher - Transcendent Pedal & Lap Steel. Rob Campanella - Piano.

11. Everything I Want To Be ∕ Nelson Bragg - Lead & Wordless Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Bells. Carl Byron - Harpsichord. Cristof Certik - Alto & Tenor Recorders. Cello - Al Delgato.

© 2012 OHMYGODTHISSONGISGREAT Publishing (ASCAP)

Nelson Bragg's 2006 solo debut album.

1. FOREVER DAYS 4:10 Bass: Matt Fitzell Electric Guitar: N.B. Organ: Rob Campanella Backing Vocal Part: Dominic & Rob Campanella Pedal Steel: Rick Gallego 12 String Line: Steve Refling Line By: John Lebhar

2. TELL ME I’M WRONG 3:48 Bass: Matt Fitzell Electric & Baritone Guitars: Nick Walusko Organ: Rob Campanella

3. I DARE YOU (SHOW ME LOVE) 3:37 Double Bass: Anna Holm Electric Guitar: Nick Walusko Slide & Electric Guitar: Paul Laques

4. RETURN THE LOVE YOU TAKE 4:10 Bass: Steve Refling Piano: Morley Bartnoff Backing Vocals: Steve Stanley & Alan “Ruby” Brownstein Acoustic Solo: Mike Randle

5. DARK SWEET LADY 3:15 Double Bass: Anna Holm Ukulele & Mandolin: N.B. Lap Steel: Paul Laques Featuring The Stockholm Strings

6. EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY 4:07 Bass: Steve Refling Harpsichord: Alan “Ruby” Brownstein Trumpet: Probyn Gregory Recorder: Eileen Lucero NIGHT

7. DEATH OF CAROLINE 4:47 Bass: Matt Fitzell Electric Guitar: N.B. Piano: Morley Bartnoff Pedal Steel: Rick Gallego

8. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK 3:28 Bass: Kenneth Freeman Cleveland Celeste: Alan “Ruby” Brownstein Vocal Part: Rick Gallego

9. LIVED THIS LIFE TOO LONG 3:35 Bass: Severo Jornacion Horns: Probyn Gregory Electric Guitars: John Lebhar Electric Guitar: N.B.

10. TELL SOMEONE 4:02 Bass: Matt Fitzell Piano: Morley Bartnoff Electric Guitar: N.B.

11. A FATHER’S FOOLISH WILL 2:39 Cello: Debbie Shair Recorder: Eileen Lucero

12. TURN THE DARKNESS INTO GOLD 4:12 Bass, Piano and Vocal Part: Rick Gallego

Nelson Bragg all Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Percussion and some other guitars, keys

All Songs: OhMyGodThisSongIsGreat Publishing (ASCAP) Songs composed and arranged by Nelson Bragg except:

Dark Sweet Lady by George Harrison, 1979 Umlaut Corporation (BMI), arranged by N.B.;

Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark by Kenneth Freeman Cleveland, arranged by N.B.

Vocal arrangements on tracks 3, 10, 11 by N.B. and Paul Rocha.

Original demos for tracks 2, 3, 10, 11, 12. Produced by Paul Rocha at The Elmwood Annex, Northampton, MA.

Demos #2 and #10 can be found on International Pop Overthrow Vol. 6 and Vol. 7 from www.notlame.com.

Nelson Bragg: Lead and Backing Vocals (except noted vocal parts), Acoustic Guitars, Drums and Percussion, Electric Guitar (where noted) and some other stuff.

All the strings were played by the strings of The Stockholm Strings And Horns of Stockholm, Sweden (except track #11 cello). They are: Anna Landberg-Dager - Cello; Malin-My Wall - Violin; Emma Lindhamre - Cello; Erik Holm - Viola; Andreas Forsman - Violin, and I love them. Notation and Session Conductor: Anna Holm

Produced by Steve Refling Mixed by Steve Refling and Nelson Bragg

Mastered by Brad Vance at Red Mastering, Newbury Park, CA.

This vinyl edition contains extra magical mastering by Alan Brownstein.

Day Into Night was recorded and mixed in analog 2-inch, 16-track, and digitally at The Lincoln Lounge, Venice, CA.

Additional Recording: The Stockholm Strings sessions, additional percussion and the extraction of a Roland D-50 Module part from a 1989 cassette, was done at Figment Sound by Rob Campanella.

More Stockholm Strings recorded at Gunnar’s Studio in Stockholm (Thanks Gunnar, Anna and Anna).

Canterbury Tales harpsichord, celeste, recorder and additional piano, recorded at Carousel 44, Sherman Oaks, CA by Alan “Ruby” Brownstein.

Art Direction: N.B. Layout: Photoshop Art Implementation: Steve Stanley for “Now Designs”

This vinyl edition artwork by Anna Rosales Additional Artwork: Julia Ewan

Photography: Fran Hingston (cover profiles), Scott Bennett (Glastonbury, 2005) and N.B. (Silver Lake sunset in front of Deborah’s house).

To celebrate the forthcoming album MÉLODIE DE NELSON: A POP ANTHOLOGY from LA pop scene veteran NELSON BRAGG – and the digital relaunch of the singer-songwriter's entire back catalog – BIG STIR RECORDS brings you a new single release that's a part of both events. “Forever Days”, one of Bragg's most beloved early tunes, sees the standalone release it has always deserved, out on all digital platforms on June 13 and up for pre-order/presave now:

https://orcd.co/nelsonbragg-fd

The new collection MÉLODIE DE NELSON: A POP ANTHOLOGY, out on Vinyl, CD and Streaming June 20, brings together key power pop and folk rock tracks from NELSON BRAGG's trilogy of acclaimed solo albums with rarities, remixes, and the recent all-new hit indie single “We're Gonna Laugh About It” in a package that's far more than a career summation. And just one week later on June 27, Bragg's full back catalog will be relaunched on all digital platforms, marking the streaming debut for his 2021 album GRATITUDE BLUES and a welcome opportunity for new fans to dive deeper. Nelson has been known for decades as a fixture on the LA pop scene, having provided drums, vocals, and percussion for live and recorded performances by local (and global) artists like Stew & TNP, Anny Celsi, and many more, and he's recognized by legions of Beach Boys fans for his years as a member of The Brian Wilson Band. The genesis of “Forever Days,” however, goes back to a time before all of that.

The new single, prominently featured on MÉLODIE DE NELSON, originally hails from Nelson's solo debut album DAY INTO NIGHT, and has long stood as one of his most admired and enduring musical creations. It has its roots in Bragg's early career, before the California years, as he explains. “The song was originally written for our folk rock band Farmhouse outta NoHo, Mass. It's the ultimate long distance love affair song. It is one of many songs I've written about a certain girl from the '90s. I wrote it in Hadley, Massachusetts during the cold winter of '90. She and I lived 100 miles apart. I tried to see her on weekends, but man? It was tough, and my suspicions grew and grew. In the end, I was a ruined man.”

Nelson goes on to explain the link between the song and another tune on the new collection. “It's part two of the story started in the song 'The Last Girl I Ever Loved,' a bonus track on the CD version of the new anthology. Guitarist for Farmhouse and dear friend John Lebhar came up with the amazing guitar hook. My best buddy here in LA, Cloud Eleven's Rick Gallego, played the pedal steel. R.E.M. loomed large for me on this one. I've always felt that this was my best song. My friends generally agree.” Many fans do, too, making “Forever Days” an obvious choice to finally hit the airwaves as a single, and with the world about to gain access to NELSON BRAGG's full recorded oeuvre, the timing couldn't be better. Big Stir Records is proud to bring all of his music into your world to fill your days.

Big Stir Records is thrilled to welcome our longtime friend and beloved LA pop scene veteran NELSON BRAGG to our official roster with the new single “We're Gonna Laugh About It”. The first preview of a new and definitive collection on the way from Nelson in the coming months, it's a hopeful and harmony-filled example of his celebrated Southern California sound, out on all digital platforms May 9 and up for pre-order and pre-save now:

https://orcd.co/nelsonbragg-wglai

NELSON BRAGG has been known for decades as a fixture on the LA pop scene, having provided drums, vocals, percussion or guitar to live and recorded performance by local (and global) artists like Stew & TNP, Anny Celsi, The Quarter After, The Mockers, Wrecking Crew members Hal Blaine, Don Randi and Jerry Cole, Chris Stamey, and Andrew Gold. Worldwide, he's recognized by legions of Beach Boys fans for his years as a member of The Brian Wilson Band during Wilson's late-career renaissance period encompassing the long-awaited definitive release of the SMILE album with a lineup largely drawn from LA power pop heroes Wondermints. Along the way, between 2006 and 2021, Bragg himself issued a trilogy of acclaimed solo albums, blending the LA sounds of his peers with some key influences of his own from the pop-leaning side of the college rock scene (think The dB's, The Smithereens and R.E.M.) to create a distinct vibe of his own.

Those who follow Nelson may recall him having recently toyed with the idea of “retirement”, but happily such pronouncements have proven to be premature. Reuniting with Big Stir Records (who issued his 2021 7” 45 “I Want Love”), Bragg has crafted a captivating career summation of an album, packed with the highlights of his cult classic records, rarities and new mixes, and crowned by the glorious new song featured on this single. Of the Squeeze-inspired “We're Gonna Laugh About”, Nelson says, “It's a brand new song. I'd given up songwriting for good reason, but when I committed to this Best-Of collection, I knew I had to write one as an exclusive track. So I pulled out the 12-string. I think the state of the world right now created the title, but I didn't want it to be a message-heavy, life-lesson, therapy type song, so I wrote verses that spoke fondly about everyday life as a youth.”

“In the end, though, I'm singing 'after the monsters have come and gone, we're going to laugh about it'. So yeah, while this song reflects my years in the 70s and 80s, it's also a hopeful message for our future.” Of the sparkling recording, Nelson adds: “JK Harrison, all the way from Yorkshire UK, played the killer bass track, the electric guitars and that great lick in the middle. I played everything else... 12-string Rickys too.” Privately, Bragg has shared with us that he feels he's lived up to the Greatest Hits pressure of delivering what may be his best song ever, and we suspect that despite the high standards he's set for himself, his fans will agree. With a track this strong sitting atop a stack of should've-been-hits, one can't help but think NELSON BRAGG isn't done with music yet... and we join his followers in hoping that maybe one day we'll laugh about that, too!