Page 56 - BiTS_03_MARCH_2024

Mike Guldin And Rollin’ & Tumblin’—The Franklin Sessions
—Blue Heart Records BHR 046

Pennsylvania based Mike has been playing the guitar since the age
of 15 which is over 45 years now. This, is his first recording since
the release of his last album ‘Tumblin’”, in 2022 which, makes five
in all. To record the album he went to McKendree’s Rock House
studio in Franklin, Tennessee, the numbers were recorded over
two sessions, the first session in 2021 featuring Mike with a band
assembled by Kevin.

For the second session in 2022 Mike’s regular band were playing
the studio. Mike is on lead guitar and vocals, Bill Sharrow, David
Santos and James Pennebaker; bass, electric and acoustic guitars, Tim Hooper and Kevin
McKendree; keyboards, Billy Wear and Yates McKendree on drums. Horns are provided by the
Philadelphia Funk Authority Horns who are: Dale Gerheart; trombone, Kyle Hummel; baritone
saxophone; Neil Wetzel; tenor saxophone and Andrew Kowal; trumpet. The McCrary Sisters provide
backing vocals. Of the eleven numbers only three are covers: Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Killin’ Floor’, Sleepy
John Estes’ ‘Divin’ Duck Blues’ and Muddy Waters ‘Blow Wind Blow’.

The opener is ‘The Franklin Shuffle’, a pleasantly rocking floor duster that is driven by Mike’s richly
picked guitar and gruff vocals, Kevin’s crisply rolling piano and Yates’s punchy drum work underpin
it all. Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Killin’ Floor’, fuses an energetic and stinging guitar lead with splendidly
bursting organ from Tim Hooper and seriously rolling honky-tonk piano from Kevin. The slow
soulful almost gospel ‘The Right Thing’, benefits from the backing vocals of The McCrary Sisters,
which gives the number a starker, rawer edge. The comforting laid back New Orleans influenced,
shuffling martial beat on ‘Sometimes You Gotta Roll the Dice’, oozes you on through.

Muddy Waters ‘Blow Wind Blow’, pleasantly reminds one of the classic kicking Chicago groove.
‘Prisoner Of Love’, has a satisfyingly soulful swing, while the Philadelphia Funk Authority Horns
sweetly underpin the number. ‘Smokin’ Woman’, is a splendid piano rolling blues, which possesses
some excellent guitar and organ work. The sprightly, ‘Two Hearts’, is imbued with the exciting
exuberance of early sixties soul, the horns and Su Teears sharing a duet with Mike only adds to the
enjoyment. With the next two numbers, we are back to rolling, piano/organ and tramping/shuffling
blues with ‘Gettin’ Over You Is Workin’ Over Me’, and ‘Sad And Lonely’, which is a southern tinged
blues tale of heartbreak, accompanied by a suitably sad bar room piano. Mikey Jr delivers a
wonderfully wailing harmonica over a punchy, smoking organ on ‘Divin’ Duck Blues’, a splendid
duck sounding guitar chimes in and out.

Very enjoyable!

Brian Harman

The Mike Bourne Band (Featuring Jimmy Burgin)—Cruisin’
Kansas City—Blue Heart Records BHR029

Mike has previously lived and played in Chicago and Atlanta but,
now considers the Missouri area as his home. On this album he
dedicates the music here to his mentors who include Abb Locke,
Lee McBee and Lindsay Shannon’s club BBs Lawnside. Here Mike
is on lead guitar and vocals, he is joined in the studio by his band,
Kansas City Boogie; Patrick Recob and Mike Grinns; bass, Dave
Creighton; organ, Adam Hagerman; drums, Sam Treinen;
saxophone, also in the studio are guests; Johnny Burgin; guitar,