Ed Pettersen

His infectious good spirits and engaging set of solo acoustic Rock n Roll brought smiles to even the most tired and testy weekend warriors. - Jerry Withrow

His infectious good spirits and engaging set of solo acoustic Rock n Roll brought smiles to even the most tired and testy weekend warriors. - Jerry Withrow

Strong songwriting and good rock n roll chops dominate this collection. - Michael Parrish

Strong songwriting and good rock n roll chops dominate this collection. - Michael Parrish

Roots-rockin and country-rollin' is one way to sum up Ed Pettersen's fine approach to laying down some great songs. - Rob Bleetstein

Roots-rockin and country-rollin' is one way to sum up Ed Pettersen's fine approach to laying down some great songs. - Rob Bleetstein

The Nashville indie veteran shows a songwriting range beyond this release's (inscrutable?) title with 12 cuts that include acoustic folk, propulsive rock, and topical commentary. His collaboration with Scott Kempner (formerly of the Dictators and Del-Lords) on "Gather the Family 'Round" provides the album with a populist opening anthem, while the later "Top Ten" finds Pettersen paying tribute to Kempner's influence. While the stripped-down acoustic intimacy of "Burning Up" shows the songwriter's confessional side, he's as easily adept at stepping into a character, assuming the perspective of a missing girl in "Tabitha" and of a soldier taking the long way home from the war in "June 1945." Both "Jimmy Parker" and "I'm Not Coming Down" benefit from a rough-hewn dynamic reminiscent of Neil Young's music with Crazy Horse. And as the slide guitar that drives "$500 Car" attests, Pettersen even incorporates a bit of the (non-punk) blues into his sound. --Don McLeese - Amazon.com

The Nashville indie veteran shows a songwriting range beyond this release's (inscrutable?) title with 12 cuts that include acoustic folk, propulsive rock, and topical commentary. His collaboration with Scott Kempner (formerly of the Dictators and Del-Lords) on "Gather the Family 'Round" provides the album with a populist opening anthem, while the later "Top Ten" finds Pettersen paying tribute to Kempner's influence. While the stripped-down acoustic intimacy of "Burning Up" shows the songwriter's confessional side, he's as easily adept at stepping into a character, assuming the perspective of a missing girl in "Tabitha" and of a soldier taking the long way home from the war in "June 1945." Both "Jimmy Parker" and "I'm Not Coming Down" benefit from a rough-hewn dynamic reminiscent of Neil Young's music with Crazy Horse. And as the slide guitar that drives "$500 Car" attests, Pettersen even incorporates a bit of the (non-punk) blues into his sound. --Don McLeese - Amazon.com

Despite the title, this 1/23/07 release is steeped in folk and country influences with a crew of stellar sidemen including Muscle Shoals guitarist Reggie Young, bassist Bob Babbitt, keyboardist Catherine Marx and pedal steel ace Al Perkins.

Many of these songs remind me fondly of an album I loved in bygone days, Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road." The tale of "Jimmy Parker," who "liked to get a little crazy and disappear for days on end"; the fearful truthfulness of "Gather The Family 'Round"; and Ed's tribute to his former roommate and mentor, Scott Kempner (Dictators, Del-Lords) all have the honest, heartfelt feeling that Earle conveyed.

All around, "New Punk Blues" contains a tasty mix of acoustic numbers and songs featuring the all-star band, which I really enjoyed. Get it locally or at www.edpettersen.com. Look for that old fashioned Blue Note sleeve!


Ricky Flake is a former punk rocker, working musician (he sings with South Mississippi's Tribute to the Ramones, COMMANDOS; and, drums with the Deacons) and music fan who lives in Biloxi. Reach him at lobotomy3857@wmconnect.com.
- Sun Herald Mississipi

Despite the title, this 1/23/07 release is steeped in folk and country influences with a crew of stellar sidemen including Muscle Shoals guitarist Reggie Young, bassist Bob Babbitt, keyboardist Catherine Marx and pedal steel ace Al Perkins.

Many of these songs remind me fondly of an album I loved in bygone days, Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road." The tale of "Jimmy Parker," who "liked to get a little crazy and disappear for days on end"; the fearful truthfulness of "Gather The Family 'Round"; and Ed's tribute to his former roommate and mentor, Scott Kempner (Dictators, Del-Lords) all have the honest, heartfelt feeling that Earle conveyed.

All around, "New Punk Blues" contains a tasty mix of acoustic numbers and songs featuring the all-star band, which I really enjoyed. Get it locally or at www.edpettersen.com. Look for that old fashioned Blue Note sleeve!


Ricky Flake is a former punk rocker, working musician (he sings with South Mississippi's Tribute to the Ramones, COMMANDOS; and, drums with the Deacons) and music fan who lives in Biloxi. Reach him at lobotomy3857@wmconnect.com.
- Sun Herald Mississipi

Ed Pettersen is infectious -- or rather the music from his latest album, The New Punk Blues of Ed Pettersen. Despite the genre-blending title, Pettersen’s groove is entirely addictive folk and acoustic rock and roll with earnest lyrics about relationships, families, and politics (which sorta makes sense, since Janet Reno is his aunt-in-law). Pettersen is touring the nation, performing at a slew of engagements from Nashville to Chicago to herald the release of his album, and your chance to see him is tonight.
- Damaris Hay - Miami New Times

Ed Pettersen is infectious -- or rather the music from his latest album, The New Punk Blues of Ed Pettersen. Despite the genre-blending title, Pettersen’s groove is entirely addictive folk and acoustic rock and roll with earnest lyrics about relationships, families, and politics (which sorta makes sense, since Janet Reno is his aunt-in-law). Pettersen is touring the nation, performing at a slew of engagements from Nashville to Chicago to herald the release of his album, and your chance to see him is tonight.
- Damaris Hay - Miami New Times

Frankly, singer-songwriter Ed Pettersen looks a bit, well, scary. Scary in the same way as fellow songwriter Ed Hammell of Hammell On Trial. It also doesn't help that Pettersen hawks his craft - his new album is The New Punk Blues of Ed Pettersen (Dig) - in Nashville, which is the last place anybody would think to find an individualist such as Pettersen. The rub - Pettersen is one whale of a varied songwriter (don't let the title of his album fool you, as it's neither punk nor blues in the way you might expect). The mighty Scott Kempner of the Del-Lords is his partner, and songs, all detailed character studies that gnaw on the bones on discarded America - move from reflective acoustic anthems to blastfests that would do Neil Young and Crazy Horse proud. Pettersen is set to hit the road to promote his new (and quite good) album, but he found the time to share with relish five of his favorite CDs.
- Ed Bumgardner - Winston-Salem Journal

Frankly, singer-songwriter Ed Pettersen looks a bit, well, scary. Scary in the same way as fellow songwriter Ed Hammell of Hammell On Trial. It also doesn't help that Pettersen hawks his craft - his new album is The New Punk Blues of Ed Pettersen (Dig) - in Nashville, which is the last place anybody would think to find an individualist such as Pettersen. The rub - Pettersen is one whale of a varied songwriter (don't let the title of his album fool you, as it's neither punk nor blues in the way you might expect). The mighty Scott Kempner of the Del-Lords is his partner, and songs, all detailed character studies that gnaw on the bones on discarded America - move from reflective acoustic anthems to blastfests that would do Neil Young and Crazy Horse proud. Pettersen is set to hit the road to promote his new (and quite good) album, but he found the time to share with relish five of his favorite CDs.
- Ed Bumgardner - Winston-Salem Journal

In the strictest sense, there is no punk or blues on the latest album from Ed Pettersen. But attitude, hurt and heart do run through this varied collection of songs. It's all held together by the Nashville-based ex-Long Islander's ability to cut close to the bone.

Folk strains dominate the hauntingly evocative "Tabitha" and "Chelsea," and there's a rootsy tang to the likes of "Jerry Parker" and "$500 Car." Soul music informs the horn-inflected "Magic Glasses," while rock appropriately comes to the fore on "Top Ten," Pettersen's tribute to his friend and ex-roommate, former Dictator and Del-Lord Scott Kempner, who also cowrote the rocker that opens the set, "Gather the Family 'Round."
- Nick Cristiano
- Philadelphia Inquirer

In the strictest sense, there is no punk or blues on the latest album from Ed Pettersen. But attitude, hurt and heart do run through this varied collection of songs. It's all held together by the Nashville-based ex-Long Islander's ability to cut close to the bone.

Folk strains dominate the hauntingly evocative "Tabitha" and "Chelsea," and there's a rootsy tang to the likes of "Jerry Parker" and "$500 Car." Soul music informs the horn-inflected "Magic Glasses," while rock appropriately comes to the fore on "Top Ten," Pettersen's tribute to his friend and ex-roommate, former Dictator and Del-Lord Scott Kempner, who also cowrote the rocker that opens the set, "Gather the Family 'Round."
- Nick Cristiano
- Philadelphia Inquirer

Ed Pettersen
"The New Punk Blues Of" (Split Rock Records 2006)
This is maybe the one record recorded this year that celebrity producer Rick Rubin has had absolutely nothing to do with, although he might as well have – it's that different, and it's that good. Rubin has proved, through his association with old country stars, hiphop artists, and even schmaltz kings like Neil Diamond, that he can bring greatness to any genre. I'd love to speculate as to what Rubin might have done with Pettersen, who is a subtle genius in his own right. Nah, it's not punk and it's not blues. Not even close. This is actually a folk album, and a thinking man's folk album at that. Maybe the two will hook up and at least meditate in the coming year. *** stars
- Dave Good - NBC San Diego

Ed Pettersen
"The New Punk Blues Of" (Split Rock Records 2006)
This is maybe the one record recorded this year that celebrity producer Rick Rubin has had absolutely nothing to do with, although he might as well have – it's that different, and it's that good. Rubin has proved, through his association with old country stars, hiphop artists, and even schmaltz kings like Neil Diamond, that he can bring greatness to any genre. I'd love to speculate as to what Rubin might have done with Pettersen, who is a subtle genius in his own right. Nah, it's not punk and it's not blues. Not even close. This is actually a folk album, and a thinking man's folk album at that. Maybe the two will hook up and at least meditate in the coming year. *** stars
- Dave Good - NBC San Diego