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Blues Underground Network |
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Ross Neilsen And The Sufferin'
Bastards "Live At The Acoustic
Grill"
"Live At The Acoustic Grill" marks
the second Album of Ross Neilsen And The Sufferin'
Bastards' that I have reviewed in as many years, with the first being
the critically acclaimed release "Redemption". When I first listened to
"Redemption", it was in more of a party setting, so while I got hints that
I was listening to something good, it was not until I listened to it
again, in more quieter surrounding, that I realized just how good it was.
A hint about how much I liked that Album are in the last paragraph of that
review, "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." In addition I also chose
"Redemption" as the Best Canadian Blues/Rock Album in my Blues Underground
Network's Year End Review 2010. Now with the Release of "Live
At The Acoustic Grill", I am once again treated to a virtual Tornado of
Talent that is Ross Neilsen And The Sufferin'
Bastards.
"Live At The Acoustic Grill" is part
of the Bands Official Bootleg Series and marks the third such release
since 2009, the first being Ross Neilsen And The Sufferin' Bastards "What
You Need Vol. 1" (2009) and the second being Ross Neilsen "Alone Vol.
1" (2009). As the name implies, this Album was recorded at The Acoustic
Grill in Picton, Ontario, in the Fall of 2009 and like "What You
Need Vol. 1", it consists of the full band. I must say that
when I realized that this was a Bootleg, I thought I might be in for
perhaps a little less then a top notch production, but I was wrong. This
one comes across bright and clear with the only noticeable imperfection
being the odd off/on approach to a few tracks instead of a more fade
out/fade in approach. Other
then that microscopic thing this, Album
really is a very
good production for a
Bootleg.
"Live At The Acoustic Grill" consists
of 9 Tracks, all Originals from previous releases except for the new song
Track 7 "Daddy Taught Me", and of course this time around they are done
acoustically. Now for those that have seen Ross Neilsen And The Sufferin'
Bastards Live, or have had the chance to listen to "Redemption", you may
think that the softer quieter music of an acoustic set would not be in
their vocabulary, but it is, and they pull it off in a mighty good way. I
always have a lot of respect for Artists that take the chance of doing
their previous work Acoustically, for I feel it paints a better picture of
the Artists true talent and if done right, as "Live At The Acoustic Grill"
was, it can give you a whole new appreciation for the
Performers.
"Live At The Acoustic Grill", as with
most other good Live Albums, has a fair bit of spontenaity and
creativeness to it, both in the conversation that goes on between Ross and
the audience and with slightly different ways some songs evolve. One such
song was Track 3 "Walk In The Sun" which about half way through turns into
"Spirit In The Sky", "a song written and originally recorded by Norman
Greenbaum and released in 1969" and one that I got familiar with in
the mid 80's. Near the end, the Track returns to it's original self.
Another interesting song on this Album was Track 4 "Jelly Bean", a song
that Ross wrote while working at a Chocolate Factory, a job he
describes as his worst ever and a song he describes as nothing to do
with Jelly Beans, as you will realize shortly after the song
starts.
One thing I really noticed on "Live
At The Acoustic Grill", was how musically tight everyone was, and I am
guessing this comes from the Monster Canadian Tours they have been on
over the last few years, with 2011 being no exception with a 60+ date
Summer Tour, which started May 26th and runs till September 18th, from
coast to coast to coast. With all that touring, there really is no excuse
not to have seen Ross Neilsen And The Sufferin' Bastards, at a venue close
to
you.
"Live At The Acoustic Grill" is yet
another great opportunity to get acquainted with or better acquainted with
this amazingly popular and talented, Canadian Blues/Rock Inferno. Those
that have not heard Ross Neilsen And The Sufferin' Bastards in a strictly
Acoustical sitting, but are familiar with their music, will be quite
happy with the this latest
offering.
All in all, a very fine Live release
from an extraordinary talented Band. "Live At The Acoustic Grill", is not
an Album you should miss out
on.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues
Underground
Network)
Additional Info
Tracklist
1. Devil Knows Your Dead
2. Afflicted 3. Walk In The Sun 4. Jelly Bean 5. Don't Need Love 6. Mailman 7. Daddy Taught Me 8. Badlands 9. Call Me Gone
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