Born into a show business family, Nelsen was already a professional musician at 15. A true "Blues Journeyman" Nelsen earned his stripes playing tough, gritty joints and taverns of the East Coast Blues Circuit. He opened for and shared the stage with such greats as Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Matt "Guitar" Murphy and Pine Top Perkins. Inspired by these legends, Nelsen developed a melodic driving style on both guitar and harmonics. A world class blues vocalist, Nelsen's voice is truly an expressive instrument. Striking the right balance of torment, and tenderness so essential to this style.
Nelsen recorded his first solo album “Blues Got A Hold On Me†with J Bird Records in 1999. Strong local sales and southern air play got him a deal for his second album with then fledgling label Hot Rod Records. Recording the basic tracks in LA and flying to Austin to put the finishing touches on the record with some of Austin’s hottest session slingers. Jack Of All Trades was released to rave reviews in 2003.
His third album was a send up to the Louisiana style of Blues that has influenced Nelsen throughout his career. “Take Me Back†is a true showcase of Nelsen’s vocal ability as well as showing off his songwriting skills, and his proficiency on guitar, harp and piano.
“Nelsen Adelard Unplugged†made it to 10 on the Living Blues Charts and features originals that have appeared on earlier albums plus some Blues standards. Engineered and produced by Richard Robinson ( Grammy Nominated engineer) who captures the raw organic dynamic of Nelsen’s vocals as well as showing off his skills on guitar and harp. As Nelsen puts it “This album gives you an inside look into a weekend’s worth of playing and singing with some dear friendsâ€
2007 saw the re-release of Nelsen’s first album. Aptly re-titled Blues Still Got A Hold On Me. Remastering by Richard Robinson brought the early album back to life getting strong airplay and remaining on the Roots Blues Charts for over 15 weeks.
The new release is South By Southwest. The title has nothing to do with Austin’s annual music festival, but it best describes Nelsen’s musical journey from Los Angeles to his new home in McComb Mississippi.
Recorded at Audiophile Studios located in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, with Louisiana natives James Slaughter on bass and Greg Worley on drums the rhythms are simple but infectious and steeped in a southern groove.
The album starts out with two live songs borrowed from James Cotton’s song book and taken from a show Nelsen did with his Los Angeles band before leaving town in July of 06. One More Mile and Rocket 88 give the listener a strong dose of the live shows that made Adelard a staple in the LA Blues scene for many years.
What follows are eight new originals. Spanning every facet of the Blues, From West Coast Jump, to Chicago Blues to New Orleans and back. There’s even a Blues Rock number that’s sure to raise some traditional eyebrows.
Adelard lives up to his “Jack Of All Trades†handle by writing and arranging all the originals as well as singing and playing guitar, harmonica and piano. He once again teams up with recording wizard Richard Robinson to cook up this very tasty slice of American Blues Pie.
