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Mississippi MacDonald—I Got What You Need—APM
Records APMR024

“Mississippi” (Oliver) McDonald, is a London based
English bluesman. In 2004, he spent some time in

America to fully absorb the music, atmosphere and to
gain a genuine feel for the country. Now, with this, his

sixth album he delivers a spotless performance, opening
the nine numbers with, an ice cold, abrasively steely, fast

paced, guitar picked delivery of ‘Sonny Mack’s, ‘I Got
What You Need’. He takes lead vocal and guitar and backing him are; Eliott Boughen;

bass, Jim Kimberley; drums, Phil Dearing; guitars & keyboards and Lucy Randall;
backing vocals.

Little Milton’s ‘We’re Gonna Make It’, has a delicious, Memphis groove, stark picking
guitar and is enveloped in warmly rising horns; splendid!

On “Mississippi’s”, original composition, ‘Stop! Think About It’, possesses, a rich and
distinctly lyrical searing emotive guitar, underpinned by drawling piano and

percussion.

The nimble, toe-tapping and sweetly picked guitar instrumental ‘3:35am’, is a very

enjoyable tribute to Freddie King. Another instrumental is the STAX inspired ‘Soul
City One’. The tightly played guitar and organ are underpinned, by a faultlessly tight

rhythm section.

‘Hard Luck And Trouble’, is a bass and horn driven blues groover, the sharp guitar

picking and confidently, strong lead vocals, top it all off!

The powerful slow burning ballad ‘Sinking’, once again, allows “Mississippi” free rein

to demonstrate his undoubted vocal and guitar skills; all gorgeously wrapped in horns
and organ.

The rolling, joy-infused gospel of ‘If I Could Only Hear My Mother Pray Again’, is a
keyboard and horn driven emotional and plaintive plea for the comforting words of

one held dear, who has now departed.

The solemnity of the vocal, piano and guitar, on the chilling, slow burning ballad ‘Your

Dreams’, is very affecting and most definitely, soul searching.

Recommended!

Brian Harman