2024 – Muletone Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb. 21, 2025
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
I first heard about Mark ‘Muleman’
Massey on episode six of Moonshine & Mojo Hands a ten-episode 2016
Mississippi Blues series from Roger Stolle and Jeff Konkel. Damn
that was a great series too. I encourage everyone to watch every show. It took
about eight years, but I finally had an opportunity to see Muleman this
past summer in Clarksdale, Mississippi at the Sunflower River Blues
& Gospel Festival. Massey, a Clarksdale native put on a
fantastic electrified show. That being said, I was excited to hear his latest
album Been A Long Long Time. Slathered in southern soulful blues, this eleven-track
record was recorded at Wishbone Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Alongside the Muleman on guitar are guitarists Billy Lawson, Travis
Wammack, and Kelvin Holly. The rest of the band is comprised of bass
player Bob N Weaver, drummer Roger Starr, The Webster Street
Horns, Robbert Fossen on harmonica, and background vocalists The
Avalon Sisters.
The slow blues of “Baby’s Gone” drips with pure emotion as Muleman beautifully sings this with a heart-felt delivery. The temperature rises on “Can’t Tell Me Nothing About the Blues”. The Allman-esque slide guitar and juicy keys on this delightful track put me in the zone. I love his cover of Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis”. He surely makes this his own vocally. The Steve Cropper-inspired guitar licks win me over every time. “My Used To Be”, his ode to his ex, is a real-deal blues song with an infectious groove. “Going Back to Memphis” puts a smile on my face with every listen as he mentions all the things he loves about the Bluff City. The song is topped with a hot serving of harp, and makes for a hell of a checklist. The album ends with the funky, dance-friendly break-up song “Your Good Stuff”. It really is a fabulous tune.
Mark ‘Muleman’ Massey’s Been a Long Long Time stole my heart at first listen. It is a wonderful album with masterfully written songs served to perfection.
* Photos of Mark 'Muleman' Massey by Phillip Smith ,
Taken at Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival, Clarksdale, MS 2024
WEBSITE & SOCIALS
Mark ‘Muleman’ Massey
https://markmulemanmassey.com/
Moonshine & Mojo Hands
https://www.moonshineandmojohands.com/
