Ross Neilsen

Ross Neilsen & The Sufferin’ Bastards
Redemption Bootsoup/Thorny Bleeder/
Universal
After a couple of fine, locally produced
discs, Fredericton’s Ross Neilsen took his band
to Mississippi to make the great leap forward.
The earlier electric CD, Early Grave, showed
that this was not an unusual move but it certainly
was a masterful one. Legendary producer Jim
Dickinsonhad heard the demos and had agreed to
do the album but after his sad passing last August,
his sons wanted to continue the project. With Cody
already a Grammy nominated producer, Neilsen,
bassist Shawn Wordenand drummer Karl Gans
headed for the home of the North Mississippi
Allstarsand their famed Zebra Ranch recording
studio. Clearly what kept this all moving forward
was the quality of the songs by a road-hardened
band. Neilsen sings in “Fire In The Ground”,
that he’s ‘playing in the church of Rock & Roll’
and perhaps the CD’s title should be taken in that
context. Among the other songs of ‘love, lust &
loss’is “She Ain’t You”, with LutherDickinson
guesting on slide. The interplay of the two guitars
bring to mind the pyrotechnics of the Allman
Brothers, they are that good. I’m not sure Howlin’
Wolf would recognize this “Commit A Crime”
but I’m certain he would have appreciated such
a modern performance. Yet more duo guitars
highlight “Badlands” as Alvin Youngblood
Hart steps in on lead. “Human Mud” is another
good one, with an excellent tune and ominous
lyrics. The closer, “Bold and Beaten”, is an epic
road song co-written with Matt Andersen. Cody
Dickinson contributes keyboards to this sonic
masterpiece and to “Devil Knows” earlier on
the disc. He could usefully have played on more
but I don’t think they wanted too much piano on
such a guitar lovers’album. Ross Neilsen & The
Sufferin’Bastardswere here briefly in early May
and are in BC & Alberta for most of this month.
With this kind of touring behind such a quality
album, we’ll be hearing much more about them,
especially around awards time. The web site is - Toronto Blues Society Member News Letter

Well my friends the verdict is in and it states that there is definitely a new kid in town, and he goes by the name of Ross Neilsen and along with his Posse, The Sufferin' Bastards, they are coming straight at you with some of the best Gritty Down Under The Dog House Blues Rock, you have heard in a long while.

Over the last 3 years, Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards, have been catching the attention of a lot of people, not only with their epic tourings, 240,000+Kms, but also because of their epic sound. Hailing from the East Coast of Canada, they already have 5 national tours and over 600 shows under their belts and they managed to do it 100% independently on their own, which is a testament to their creative business savvy.

Another piece of evidence as to how creative and liked this band is comes from the story of how they managed to raise the funds to get "Redemption" recorded. You see, "Redemption", was recorded at the "famed Zebra Ranch Studio in Mississippi", and because of that they were unable to get Canadian Funding for the Project. That however did not stop them and they decided to do a unique fund raising project, namely a bottle drive. Needless to say, the idea worked and the Bottle Drive was a huge success, with what seemed like most of New Brunswick pitching in to help and in doing so, another Album was born.

"Redemption" consists of 11 Barn Burnin' Tracks of which Ross Neilsen solely wrote 7 of them and co-wrote one with "East Coast blues master Matt Andersen". The 3 Cover Tracks were "Possession" (Robert Johnson), "Commit A Crime" (Chester Burnett) and "Human Mud" (Randall Cable) which were all done magnificently with the kind of flare that only Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards can bring to the table.

Besides, Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards, Shawn Worden (Bass) and Karl Gans (Drums), they also had help from, as they describe them, "Incredibly Awesome Guests", with Luther Dickinson (Slide Guitar Track 7), Alvin Youngblood Hart (Lead Guitar Track 9), Cody Dickinson (Keys Track 4 & 11 and Woogie Board/Percussion Track 6). All of those "Incredibly Awesome Guests" helped make one Incredibly Awesome Album.

"Redemption" is dedicated to the "Legacy Of James Luther Dickinson", whom was supposed to be the producer of this Album, but had unfortunately passed away in August of 2009. However, having total faith in Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards, his son Cody Dickinson took over the job and along with his brother Luther, played on the Album, as well.

"Redemption" comes at you hot n heavy, straight out of the gates, and if you think you going to get a bathroom break or even want one, when listening to this gem, think again. Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards are an invigorating, energetic, and rejuvenating sound, the likes of which you have not heard in a long time. Especially true for Neilsen's Over Drive Style of Guitar Playing.

In 2010 Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards, were nominated for "Best New Artist at The Maple Blues Awards, Two Rising Star nominations from CBC, back to back Blues Album of the Year nominations from the East Coast Music Association and more recently Ross won Best Blues Recording for Redemption at the 2010 MusicNB awards". This all shows that Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards has certainly started a new Blues/Rock train heading down the tracks, and in doing so has caught not only the attention of countless fans across Canada, but has also really caught my attention, as well.

"Redemption" gets a resounding high five from me via my highest rating of 5*****. Brilliant and Fresh Blues/Rock, all in one fabulous package. Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards are not only going places, but they are also going far.

Review By John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
- Blues Under Ground Network

“Neilsen’s voice has never sounded better…Trust me, you’ll want to hear these tunes.” - http://www.rossneilsen.com//wp-content/uploads/2013/downloads/Resurrection_Review-Daily_Gleaner.pdf

“It IS his first truly great LP from start to finish…4 out of 5 stars on this one.” - - Uncle Rob 105.3 The Fox FM

Ross Neilsen is a real up and comer in the blues world, a talented songwriter and a skilled, hard-as-nails, no-frills guitar picker that manages to sound like all the blues and rock greats while still managing to sound like nobody but himself. Resurrection is a solid album and a shining example of the artist's vision, and an album that all fans of guitar blues should track down for themselves. Grade: A- - about.com blues bites?Reverend Keith Gordon

ROSSNEILSEN
Early Grave
By David Bernard


From New Brunswick, Neilsen’s sophomore recording is a major step up from his 2005 debut. Its strengths — unrushed, introspective performances, a fearless vocal approach and a strong mixture of blues-based originals and covers — are again present. Added are top-notch production values, more dynamic song arranging and a band approach to recording. The resulting CD has a harder, edgier tone than its predecessor, verging at times on primal blues rock. Neilsen’s singing is best when he’s pushing it to its limits, as on the urgent, gospel-infused “Let You Down” or the funky rocker “Back For More.” It also has a lonesome, plaintive quality heard best on the traditional sounding title track or the lament “How I Could Change.” Not a flashy guitar player, he focuses on brief, rhythmic solos woven into his tightly arranged compositions. The addition of keys to several tracks nicely enhances the trio format of his band. Capping things off is an eerie version of Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky,” with Neilsen sounding like someone with one foot in an early grave. (Independent)

- EXCLAIM!

An impressive sophomore effort from New Brunswick’s Ross Neilsen, with a wide range of styles effectively presented. He’s supported by the Sufferin’ Bastards: Shawn Worden on bass and Karl Gans on drums, plus other guests who join in as the need arises. He opens this CD of mostly original songs with a nearly a capella gospel piece that signals the fact that this young man writes songs that show a maturity well beyond his age. The band kicks in for “Walk In The Sun” a grinding blues that seems patterned on “Tobacco Road”. And then comes “Don’t Need Love”, a driving rocker that should be a single. It has a searing tenor sax part by Chris Mitchell and monster slide guitar from Neilsen. It’s too bad it’s a straight-ahead rock song because the next line goes: “I’m gonna live on my blues”. “Yonderwall”, of course, was written for a monster slide guitar and Neilsen doesn’t disappoint. He doesn’t disappoint on the vocal either. “How I Could Change” is a lovely blues ballad that he isn’t afraid to let run over six minutes. Mitchell is back on sax with John Clayden on organ and a very effectively deployed background chorus. “Anyway I Can” has more pickup lines than you can count. It’s just the trio here and this one must rip it up in live performance! “Early Grave” returns midway as a guitar solo, subtitled “Eulogy” and the CD concludes with “Committal”, for a New Orleans marching band. He promises a major national tour in the coming year, check out www.rossneilsen.com for news. - Toronto Blues Society