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guess, just pick any of the fourteen tracks at random. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed if
today’s Chicago blues is your bag.

This Is the pure blues, no rock influence at all, but the sound of Chi-town clubs of the last few
decades with strong vocals, an occasional tinge of soul, and tight controlled guitar work over
powerful but subtle rhythm sections. Check it out.
Norman Darwen

(www.breezyrodio.com)
Mick Kolassa—I’m Just Getting Started!—Endless Blues

Memphis-based Mick Kolassa has an instantly recognisable
approach. Given the variety of blues that he offers here, that
might be something of a surprise, but his voice and song-
writing are distinctive - don’t make the mistake though of
thinking that also means predictable.

This is his eleventh album, and he has regular guitarist Jeff
Jensen and his band along to help out, there are several guests
too, most notable perhaps up-and-coming blues artist in his
own right, Dexter Allen, on bass on ten tracks and adding

excellent guitar work to a further two. Take a listen to his
playing on ‘What Can I Do?’ for a master class in playing on a fine soul-blues number.

There’s a lot going on throughout this album. Mick’s humorous approach is well in evidence -
lend an ear to the closing ‘How Much Can I Pay You?’ as Mick manages not to be upstaged by a
dancer (very nice sax playing by Kirk Smothers on this one too). He is happy to brag too, as on
the cover of John Hiatt’s ‘Real Man’. ‘Hardhearted Woman’ is a more menacing composition,
and ‘Are You Ready?’ is gospel-based. He also remakes Sleepy John Estes’ ‘Leavin’ Trunk’,
leaning heavily on Taj Mahal’s version - this was the first song he played with Brandon
Santinni, who repays the favour here with some fine harp -playing. Also covered on this set is
Chainsaw Dupont’s ‘Alibis & Lies’, with a slightly jazzy touch. The slow ‘Trying Not To Let The
Darkness In’ proves that Mick can get deadly serious when he needs to.

The engaging, opening (title) track may seem a strange statement from such an established
artist but Mick suggests it’s the truth with this rather fine album. Recommended.
Norman Darwen

(www.mimsmick.com)
Jimmy Hall—Ready Now—KTBA

Back in the 1970s, we had record shops and many of those
record shops had a blues section. In Lancashire, most of the
time this seemed to consist of a John Mayall album (most often

the budget “The World Of…”), a dog-eared copy of Johnny
Jenkins “Ton Ton Macoute”, and a Wet Willie album. I never
really thought of Wet Willie as a blues band, though maybe
there was an oblique link to Blind Willie McTell, and besides, I
hadn’t consciously heard them. Many years later, I became
aware of singer and harmonica player Jimmy Hall through