Armed
with one of the longest album titles around, Austin based rocker Nelson
Norwood made inroads into Europe last year with his raw Stonesy riff
driven Rock Blues. Last Years “Long, Loud & Sweaty” album
recorded with the famed SRV rhythm section of Chris Layton and Tommy
Shannon impressed in a kind of raw edged bar room band kind of way.This live effort confirms that view, as Nelson and the rhythm section mentioned in the title get down to some sweaty Texas rocking blues. The whole thing sounds like it's straight off the desk, which is great in one way, as it sounds like you were there, but on the other hand the drums and bass fade in and out and Nelson’s guitar work is sometimes mixed too far back.
That said, there are a handful of his best songs here such as riff driven “Take You Home” and the barely concealed Keith Richards influenced “Dixie Cup”, while the closing celebratory James Oden shuffle “Feel So Good” rocks the house.
Overall Nelson Norwood isn’t going to break any new ground, but will appeal to people like me who remain suckers for riff driven Texas rocking blues.
