2025 – Delmark
Release Date : September
12, 2025
By Phillip
Smith; November
22, 2025
For thirty-three years, one
of Chicago’s most adored blues acts Mississippi Heat has been releasing some
of the hottest blues music around. Don’t
Look Back their fourteenth record magnificently captures their big band
sound with a Mississippi Delta heart. With harp-master Pierre Lacocque and
lead singer Sheryl Youngblood front and center, the band consists of
guitarists Giles Corey and Billy Flynn, Johnny Iguana on
acoustic piano, John Kattke on piano/organs, Brian Quinn on bass,
and Jason “J Rock” Edwards on drums. Specials guests include Danielle
Nicole on vocals, Omar Coleman on vocals and harp, NADIMA (Nanette
Frank, Diane Madison, and Mae Koen) on backing vocals/handclaps,
Inetta Visor & Daneshia Hamilton on vocals, Big Mike Perez
on bass, Mark Franklin on trumpet/horn arrangements, Kirk Smothers
on sax, Anthony “Tony” Alexander on percussion, and Kenny “Beedy Eyes”
Smith on drums. Don’t Look Back is comprised of fourteen all-original
songs written by Lacocque. Energetically vibrant with a polished finish,
the record was coproduced by Lacocque and Michael Freeman who was
awarded a Grammy in 2011 for his work on the Pinetop Perkins and Willie
“Big Eyes” Smith album Joined at the Hip.
The record takes off with high velocity, serving up a bodacious blast of electric blues in “You Ain’t the Only One”. Youngblood’s vocals are soulful and fearless as Lacocque lays down a heavy dose of harp. I’m instantly drawn in to the riveting sounds of “Moonshine Man”. This cookin’ instrumental features dual harmonicas as Coleman and Lacocque go toe to toe, Perez throwing down a smokin’ bassline and Corey ripping it up on guitar. I get a smile on my face when I hear their tease of The Champs’ “Tequilla” float by. I absolutely love the “Shiverin’ Blues” which features amazing lead vocals from four-time BMA winner Danielle Nicole and a simmering beat from Kenny "Beedy Eyes“ Smith. Corey’s slide guitar performance is slathered in grease on this one and reminds me a bit of Duane Allman. With Kattke’s organ accompaniment, there’s a definite Muscle Shoals vibe to this track. I light up when I hear more Allman-esque sounds in the southern-rock jamboree “I Ain’t Evil”. The infectious rhythm of Tony Alexander and Quinn soak up the spotlight and set the perfect backing for Youngblood’s powerful voice and Corey’s fiery guitar licks. “Four Steel Walls” brings a sizzling end to the record with Coleman on vocals and harp accompanied by NADIMA on backing vocals. With two harmonicas, two guitars, Iguana on piano, a smoldering sax solo from Smothers, and a badass rhythm section, this one is a surefire shindig.
Pierre Lacocque’s Mississippi Heat has a gem of a record with Don’t Look Back. It’s fabulous from start to finish.
---
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.