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some very good high-register harp playing.

‘Cover Me’ is a Bruce Springsteen song that starts with just Mikey’s vocals
and Gross’s acoustic guitar with the band gradually joining in and stepping

up the intensity (including a powerful distorted harp solo) – this version
shouldn’t work but does brilliantly. ‘She Can Do What She Wants To’ is an

up-tempo original with pounding drums and a blasting Chicago-style harp
solo. We finish with two covers – a loping take on ‘Hit the Road Jack’ which

has Mikey’s parents on backing vocals! and Willie Dixon’s ‘Sittin’ and Cryin’
the Blues’ - a delicious slow blues.

I hadn’t heard of Mikey Junior before but I really liked this album – I can see

that some may think that there are too many laid-back, late-night blues here
but I thought that they had a great atmosphere, were all subtle, well-played

and produced and gave the album a cohesive overall feel. I’ll certainly check
out his back catalogue and also look out for what he does in future.

Graham Harrison

Ed Alstrom—Flee Though None Pursue—
Haywire Records

Ed was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey and

currently resides in Montville, New Jersey.
From, mastering guitar and drums to working

in R and D for Casio electronics. Ed also has
Bachelor’s degree in classical organ. He has

worked with the likes of Chuck Berry, Hubert
Sumlin, Darlene Love and Ronnie Spector.

This album consists of eighteen new
numbers, the opener is ‘Be Nice!’ a splendid rolling, bouncing, fusillade of

piano and organ, Ed’s vocals, have pleasant echoes of Van Morrison. ‘Blues
Ain’t Alright’, possesses a samba feel, underpinning a sombre sad message.

‘Slow Blues’, is an attractive, walking, downbeat, organ and slide slowburner.

‘Flee Though None Pursue’, is a shuffling tale of paranoia, with a splendid
Robert Hill guitar solo.

‘The Truth’, is a jovial strutter, led by rolling horns, piano and guitar. The

rolling and trudging piano/organ led ‘Sick’, is about being “fed up!”. The
lilting, delicate Country influenced ballad ‘Always Near’ is a delight. A rolling