The Nelsen Adelard Band
Blues Still Got A Hold On Me
Blue Track - No #
Blues Still Got A Hold On Me, the latest CD from The Nelsen Adelard Band is both
Nelson's newest and oldest CD. It was originally released by J Bird Records in 1999.
This version contains all the original tracks, remastered by Richard Robinson on Blue
Track Records.
But that's the business. Adelard himself was born into
a show business family and by 15 was already a professional musician on the East Coast
Blues Circuit, opening for and learning from legends such as Muddy Waters, James Cotton,
Matt "Guitar" Murphy and Johnny Winter. Tired of running the rat race after
living for many years in Los Angeles, he made a move in July of 2006 to
McComb,
Mississippi.
Adelard wrote nine of the ten songs on the disc. The 10th
is a sparsely accompanied harmonica driven cover of the classic tune
"Ain't Misbehavin'" allowing the lyrics to stand front and center. In addition to
vocals, he also brings to the CD guitar, harmonica and keyboard skills.
Nelsen covers a wide range of styles here. There's jump blues on the opening track
"Don't Stop Now". Slide guitar opens "Tell Me Honey Why You Do
Me Wrong". and then the song goes into a groove reminiscent of Willie Dixon's
"I'm Ready" with a tasty sax solo from Rick Arbuckle. "Black and
Blue" is a moody slow reflection of love gone wrong. "Give It One More Try"
is a moving, soul influenced swell of organ and sax, with a very 70"s AM radio feel.
There's a slow, humid, swampy rhythm to "Jacko's On The Bayou". Nelsen
does a fine job here, especially vocally. It always sounds like him, but his voice seems
to custom fit every song and style.
I'm not sure why they remix - I've never
heard the original release, but the original issue is sold out and no longer available.
This one's clean without being too crisp, and pleasant on the ear. Maybe the point
Nelsen Adelard is trying to make is that the blues have STILL got a hold on him.
- Blue Lisa -
Southwest Blues CD Review - November 2007
Current Reviews - 2007 Reviews - available at our store
