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mentor Sonny Payne, the legendary DJ and host of the King Biscuit Time radio show. Pleasingly

Donna’s rendition of Blind Willie Johnson’s ‘The Soul of A Man’, is warm and uplifting, the darkness
of the original is replaced with an enquiring hopefulness.

Greatly endorsed!

Brian Harman

Rob Stone Featuring Elena Kato and Hiroshi Eguchi—Trio In
Tokyo—Blue Heart Records BHRIO11

Boston born Rob began his world wide vocal and harmonica
wailing blues journey after seeing Charlie Musselwhite perform
at a local blues club at the age of 18. When Sam Lay visited
Boston in 1993 he became aware of Rob and invited him to join
his band, over time Rob has refined his skill and taste with
encouragement from his mentor, the late great Big Jay McNeely,

enabling him to form his own band, the C-Notes.

Over the years Rob has become a much in demand harmonica
player worldwide and on his frequent trips to Japan he has
become acquainted with pianist Elena Kato. In 1995, an extended stay in New Orleans broadened
Kato’s influences and deepened her love of Jazz, Blues, and R&B music.

Upon her return to Japan, she has continued to perform nationwide. Bassist Hiroshi Eguchi moved
to Chicago at the age of 18 to study music. He went on to work for Chicago’s World Wide Records
composing and arranging music whilst becoming a fixture on Chicago’s club scene. He returned to
Japan in 2004 to focus upon his own career.

The ten numbers were recorded in Japan at Sound Studio Dawn Kawasaki, Kanagawa and Maple
House, Tokyo. There is a mellow relaxed, free flowing jazz inclined atmosphere throughout the

album and from the first number ‘No Money’, out of the speakers the comforting bass underpins a
gently understated piano while Rob’s pleasant vocals and harmonica waft in and out. Johnny Ace’s
‘Poison Ivy’ is dominated by Elena’s steady rolling and tripping piano while Rob’s creamy vocals
are only interrupted by his sweetly blown harmonica.

The slow gospel infused ‘There Is Something On Your Mind’, was originally planned as a duet with
Big Jay McNeely, who sadly passed away before its completion. So, Rob carries this bleak mournful

slow burner with taste and reverence and is dedicated to ‘Big Jay’. Amos Milburn’s ‘Money Hustlin’
Woman’, is another lazy, hazy slow burner with a mournfully laid back piano, while the lonesome
harmonica solos blaze away. Louis Jordan’s jump ’n’ jive classic ‘Jack You’re Dead’, lightens the
mood somewhat, the bouncing piano and punchy harmonica glide effortlessly above a soft rolling
bass.

Greatly endorsed!

Brian Harman