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While the audio quality isn’t pristine—this was a radio broadcast tape restored
decades later—the energy is undeniable. Mack, then 51, is in peak form, backed by
longtime collaborators Bucky Lindsey (bass), Denzil “Dumpy” Rice (keys), and Jeff

McAllister (drums). The quartet grooves through a seven-track set that blends blues,
country, soul, and gospel into a Southern-fried stew of musical joy.

Check out ‘Camp Washington Chili / If You Have to Know’ which opens the set. A

blistering medley that showcases Mack’s signature Flying V guitar tone.

‘Satisfy Suzie’ invites audience participation with its infectious sing-along vibe, and
‘Memphis / Wham’ pays homage to Lonnie’s groundbreaking 1963 instrumentals

that helped define the rock guitar solo.

‘Oreo Cookie Blues’—just a straight twelve bar blues—and ‘Tough On Me, Tough On
You’ are standout moments—intimate, witty, and emotionally resonant, especially
the latter’s balladry.

Mack’s influence on guitar legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, and Duane

Allman is well documented, and this recording reinforces why. His phrasing, tone,
and soulful vocals are a master class in expressive musicianship. Despite the lo-fi
fidelity, “Live from Louisville 1992” is a vital documentary record of a pioneer doing
what he did best: electrifying a crowd with heart and grit.

Ian K McKenzie

Zoe Schwarz, Rob Koral and Friends—Colourful
House—Zoe Schwarz

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral’s “Colourful House” is a
vibrant, genre-defying celebration of musical
craftsmanship. Across 14 original tracks, the duo—

joined by a stellar cast of collaborators—blend blues,
funk, pop, and rock into a cohesive yet kaleidoscopic
experience. Recorded at Echotown Studio in Dorchester,
the album pulses with live energy and studio finesse.

Schwarz’s vocals are commanding and emotive, shifting
seamlessly from torch-song vulnerability to soulful swagger. Koral’s guitar work is

equally versatile—fluid, expressive, and never showy. Pete Whittaker’s Hammond
organ adds vintage warmth, while Eddie John’s drumming anchors the grooves with
precision. Guest musicians, including Ian Ellis (tenor sax) and Andy Urquhart
(trumpet) inject bursts of brass brilliance, especially on ‘Out The Front Door’.

Standouts include the sultry opener ‘Venus Ain’t So Far Away,’ the introspective ‘A
Tear Drop In The Sun’, and the title track ‘House of Colours’, which encapsulates

the album’s eclectic spirit. The bonus track ‘It Ain’t Easy’ closes the set with a bluesy
wink.

This one is a cracker!!

Ian K McKenzie