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Mississippi MacDonald—Slim Pickin’—Inde-

pendent Release

Mississippi MacDonald is well known on the Brit-
ish blues circuit having been the winner of two
Acoustic Artist of the Year UK Blues Awards no
less. “Slim Pickin’” is his second acoustic album.

The album opens with ‘Trouble Doing The Right
Thing’ a nice easy feeling blues. The title track
‘Slim Pickin’ is another easy blues that just lets
you roll along and enjoy the music. ‘My Bad Atti-
tude’ has a nice bluesy groove whilst ‘I’m Sorry’ is more of a soulful ballad. He hits

a nice stripped back rendition of the Blind Willie McTell classic ‘Statesboro Blues’.

‘Got To Get To Walkin’ has a Creedence Clearwater Revival feel to it before hitting
on another classic blues with ‘Going Down Slow’. ‘Strange Things Happening

Every Day’ is a great foot tapper whilst ‘Sad Songs’ is a nice piano based soul
ballad. The album closes with ‘You Can Love Yourself’ a great finger picking blues.

Mississippi MacDonald has a strong bluesy vocal style that at times reminded me
of John Fogarty and is very American in its annunciation and delivery. This is
possibly born out of the fact that he has spent some time in the States. His guitar

work is both understated and very tasteful making it easy on the ear.

Whilst billed as an acoustic album the bass, drums and keys make for a full sound
and the piano in particular really adds some sparkle. Overall there is a nice easy

going vibe which makes for a very enjoyable blues album.

Ged Wilson

The Doobie Brothers—Walk This Road—
Rhino

The Doobie Brothers don’t need any introduction
having been big all over the world since their
formation in California back in 1970. Whilst not

strictly a blues band their music does carry an
element of blues and I was keen to hear what

they sound like some five decades on with this
new album, “Walk This Road”.