Most CD titles don't really relate to the music on them -- some do. This CD title is an exception. "Jack of All Trades" is an understatement! When a musician can sing, play guitar, harmonica and keyboards (not ok, but great), and compose 10 of the 12 songs to boot, "Jack of all trades" is totally appropriate. You never know what to expect in a new CD, but this one was a pleasant surprise.
Not only does Nelsen sing and play well, he can do it in a lot of different styles. This CD has a number of good blues tunes in various styles, a nice jumping version of an RC Cola and a Moonpie, some jazzy-funky stuff on Tell The Truth, a bit of Louisiana slide style on I'm Here To Stay, even a little smooth gospel-like sound on God Bless This Child. Nice guitar work & a haunting harmonica on Too Bad. A little bit of everything for every kind of blues fan.
You'll like the whole CD. If you are a harp fan you will really enjoy In Walks G & El Harpo with multiple harps. It's definitely not Low-Cal or Lite Harp, you'll get your harmonica appetite quenched, plus a lot more. Nelsen is good with all the instruments and the lyrics. It's hard to say which he is best at, because it all goes together well.
Can't forget the rest of the band on this one, Andrew Shreve on drums, John Duzik is the bassman, Tom Adcock blowing the sax. Guest artists include Kaz Kazanov on sax, Johnny Moeller guitar, Marc Nelipovich drums, Gary Primich on harp and Guy Forsyth on that smooth slide guitar.
It all sounds great, they all work together to make great blues.
You can visit Nelsen at www.nelsenadelard.com
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This review is copyright © 2002 by Chris Puyear, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.
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