"Nelson tackles not just
traditional blues, but rock, country and even a bit of jazz. It’s quite the mix,
but Nelson deftly pulls off the transitions. One thing about Nelson is that he’s
a heck of a talent on the guitar: if Brian Wilson thought he was starting fires
in the neighbourhood where he was recording Smile just by making music, Nelson
pretty much starts infernos every time he touches his instrument’s strings. The
guy can shred, particularly at slide guitar, and his voice is somewhat
reminiscent of heartland rocker John Hiatt." -
PopMatters
Drew Nelson,
conceivably one of Canada’s most criminally underrated musicians, is back with
his first album in eight years and a renewed determination to reignite a
successful career that he had almost turned his back on. The Ottawa based
singer/songwriter/guitarist decided to focus on domestic life for a while after
many years of playing 200-plus dates. “I grew tired of the constant travel but
after a while I began to miss doing the thing I love and am good at,” says
Nelson.
Steve Marriner, the
multi-talented and energetic front man of the Juno Award winning trio
MonkeyJunk had also been thinking that it was time for Nelson to return
to the spotlight. The younger Marriner had often been invited on stage to
perform with Nelson and his band and felt it was time to help reinvigorate his
career.
The two talked for several
months and it was agreed that Marriner should produce the new project. The death
of Nelson's father was a pivotal event. “I had been stressed for months and then
it was over,” says Nelson, “I knew my Dad would have wanted me to move
forward.” At Marriner's urging, Nelson began writing some new songs, dusting
off a couple of old ones and the two got together to do some writing. The result
is The Other Side, a polished 11-track album of blues/roots songs of
heartache, redemption and love.
Influenced by rock & roll
and Chicago blues, Nelson began his career at age 16. In his early twenties he
co-founded a group with the late harmonica legend Back Alley John. In 1989 he
launched The Drew Nelson Band and won over audiences and critics across the
country. He became widely known for his slide guitar playing, gritty vocals and
well-crafted songs. Nelson organized tours and recorded with the late Canadian
blues pioneer Dutch Mason and has shared the stage with artists including B.B.
King, Bo Diddley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy and
others.
Each of the 11 songs on The
Other Side showcase Nelson’s mastery of the guitar, beautiful, poignant and
often hard-hitting lyrics, gruff vocals and a sense that Nelson himself may be
the protagonist in the tales within. Opening with a rare and catchy Bob Dylan
tune called “Seven Days”, followed by the lively “Make It Right”, a stunning
rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Bird On The Wire” is a highlight, “Please Come
Home”, one of the more bluesy numbers, features Marriner on the harmonica, “Get
It!” is a barn-burning rocking blues track that was written on the spot and
recorded in one, glorious take. “The Other Side” is a tribute to Nelson’s late
father, questioning life and death and everything in
between.
The Other Side is a
genre-bending musical narrative that marks Drew Nelson’s triumphant return to
the music scene.
Track
List:
1. Seven Days
(3:55)
2. Make It Right
(3:34)
3. Stick Around
(3:43)
4. Bird On The Wire
(3:07)
5. One More Chance
(3:30)
6. Valentine
(3:21)
7. Drifting Away
(3:47)
8. Please Come
Home (3:55)
9. Did You Ever?
(3:30)
10. Get It!
(2:14)
11. The Other Side
(4:19)
