"If You Should Sail" by Nielsen/Pearson

Song#:  0331
Date:  09/13/1980
Debut:  88
Peak:  38
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Sacramento musicians Reed Nielsen and Mark Pearson formed the Nielsen/Pearson Band and released their self-titled debut album in 1978. The album, which contained a blend of country-pop, did not perform well so for their follow-up album they brought in some major players like David Foster and Tom Scott, dropped the "Band" from their name, and moved towards a slick West Coast pop sound. The resulting album, "Nielsen Pearson," got them their first chart entry with this song. It was also their only one to hit the Top 40.

ReduxReview:  This song does reek of the West Coast. It kind of has a jazzy feel to it as well - kind of like George Benson mashed with Steely Dan. I can't say it is a real catchy song, but it has a very nice feel to it. You can easily hear someone like Michael McDonald sing something like this. Interesting, but not outstanding.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  After the group disbanded in 1984, Reed Nielsen went on to be a successful country songwriter. Several of his song were Top 10 country hits include Vince Gill's "What the Cowgirls Do" (#2, 1994), Billy Ray Cyrus' "Could've Been Me" (#2, 1992), Doug Supernaw's "I Don't Call Him Daddy" (#1, 1993), and Lorrie Morgan's "Except for Monday" (#4, 1991).

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