Canada’s hardest working blues rock act, Ross Neilsen & The Sufferin’ Bastards, do it right. They take their strong, timeless material to the place that matters. The People. Three years, 600 shows, 240 000kms, five national tours all executed 100% independently. In a time of corporate cookie cutter music this is the return to real. Proving hard work pays off Ross Neilsen has been honoured with a nomination for Best New Artist at The Maple Blues Awards in 2010, 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. Ross Neilsen is the real, old school kind of artist. Write. Tour. Record. Tour. Repeat.
Ross Neilsen’s latest recording, Redemption, was released in the spring of 2010. Recorded at the famed Zebra Ranch Studio in Mississippi, Redemption is the first recording that bears the name of Neilsen’s long-time backing band, The Sufferin’ Bastards, with Shawn Worden on bass and Karl Gans on drums. “I am lucky to have such a powerful rhythm section and wanted to include their name with mine on the recording to make a statement that they are a huge part of what I do.” Neilsen says. “This record was an evolution for all of us in many ways. We have grown as a band and as individuals. As a result of this we wanted to make an effort to really step it up for our next release.”
The voyage to recording Redemption was an epic one, with Neilsen and his band deciding to record with famed musician and producer Jim Dickinson (North Mississippi All starss, Screaming Jay Hawkins, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder), at his Zebra Ranch in Northern Mississippi. Dickinson was impressed with the demos he had heard and was eager to work on the new recording. The stage was set and the plans were made for Ross Neilsen and The Sufferin’ Bastards to make the trip of a lifetime, however a wrench was thrown in to the wheels. In August 2009 Jim Dickinson passed away, leaving the band shattered and unsure of the next step. Within hours, Jim Dickinson’s family contacted Neilsen to step in and take over production; this time in the chair would be Cody Dickinson, three-time Grammy nominated producer and drummer for North Mississippi All-Stars. The recording would be back on.
Ineligible for Canadian Funding due to the project taking place stateside, the band started unique fundraising project – a bottle drive. What would seem to be the entire community in the New Brunswick region got involved by saving their empties for Neilsen and The Bastards to collect and use the refund for their expenses. “It became something even more than just fundraising. I met so many people; some of them already fans and some of them had never heard of us but wanted to help us live our dreams. The feeling of our community getting behind us like that was heavy.” Said Neilsen.
Redemption can be classified as a collection of songs about love, lust, and loss. Neilsen’s poignant songwriting and stunning guitar playing make each track standout, as does the tight rhythms courtesy of Worden and Gans. ”She Ain’t You” is a heavy guitar-laden song, with a searing solo from Neilsen and features Luther Dickinson (Black Crowes, North Mississippi All stars) on slide. The emotional ”Bold and Beaten” was co-written by East Coast blues master Matt Andersen and tells the tale about life on the road and sacrifices that many musicians must face in order to do what is natural for them. Each track on Redemption is distinctive and draws on influences from the blues and modern rock n roll. A spectacular and modern twist to a blues classic “Commit a Crime” appeals to old school blues fans and new.
The second leg of their massive national tour is currently underway supporting the release of the first single, “Afflicted” is in full swing. While Ross Neilsen & The Sufferin’ Bastards are rocking Canada again, preparations are under way for the release of the second single in early 2011 supported with an animated video.
Whether telling tall tales or capturing the spirit of the blues through his own originals and unique covers in his intimate solo shows or combining clever lyrics with old school, in-your-face guitar playing with his band, Ross Neilsen will take you on an emotional journey through the joys and pains of life, death, triumph and defeat. Neilsen will touch your heart, soul, body and mind, sending you home to sing yourself to sleep. And in the morning? You will want more, much more.
Press
“…Early Grave is an emotional sonic rollercoaster that erupts around every corner and turn with gritty, heart felt blues convictions and memorable choruses that lock into your head as well as you heart.”
– Jeff Liberty – KV STYLE
“When I listen to his music it sounds like he has an old soul. Great Sound.”
– Steven Webb – CBC radio’s Information Morning Saint John
“WOW. Ross Neilsen remember that name. You’re going to be hearing a lot more from him. A young man with a good future ahead of him.”
– Terry Seguin – CBC Radio on Information Morning Fredericton
“The young guitarist most often plays a National Steel and writes effective, original songs. ‘New Stagger Lee Blues’ is a particularly good example, with good lyrics re-working the familiar story. The strong vocals are complimented by solid slide work. Fellow New Brunswickers Hot Toddy help out quite a bit with Joel LeBlanc sitting in the producer’s chair. He and Thom Swift play guitars with Darrell Williams on bass and Karl Gans on drums on the band tracks. The songs cover a range of styles, from a capella gospel to soul to rocking blues. The solo tracks seem strongest to me, with ‘Mailman’ and ‘Walk On By’ joining ‘Stagger Lee’ ‘Goin’ Somewhere’ is a fine band track though, but it is curious way to end the CD: if you are very, very patient there is a ‘hidden’ track, an atmospheric, electric slide piece that was probably too unusual in the context of the main program. A very impressive debut.”
– John Valenteyn – Toronto Blues Society online magazine