Ed Pettersen
Somewhere South of Here
Tangible Music, info@tangible-music.com
Release Date: 1997
Ed Pettersen's Somewhere South of Here is straightforward, musically cheerful and reminiscent of things you've certainly heard before, but don't for a second think Pettersen's past (his bio traces his evolution from pro hockey hopeful to bodyguard to, eventually, a stint at an ad agency) means he's stuck cranking out standards in his high school band. Yes, this is a meat-and-potatoes set of songs that sticks to your ribs like chicken-fried steak, but it is also the music of a thirtysomething who, after years away from his art, rediscovered music. It shows.
The title track, for example, would make Springsteen proud, and in fact may one-up the Asbury Parker by managing to stop one step short of becoming a country-rock anthem. Meanwhile, the growling "Run Away" provides a dark counterpoint to the rest of the album, gutsy and with a wild-eyed whiskey delivery. These are solid tunes that have clearly been rattling around upstairs for awhile. If the music industry can stand a rookie who's a bit beyond a fresh-faced 22, Pettersen could surface as something of a music biz success story.
-- Chris Schwartz
schwartz@outersound.com
