PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Reviews: Micke Bjorklof

Showing posts with label Micke Bjorklof. Show all posts

Sunday, June 1, 2025

#750- > Micke & Lefty feat. Chef - Live On Air (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – Hokahey! Records
Release Date : May 2025

By Phillip Smith; May, 31, 2025

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

It always pleases me to hear new music from Finnish bluesman Micke Bjorklof. When he’s not fronting the electrified blues-rock band Blue Strip, this multi-instrumentalist performs as an acoustic power trio with guitarist Lefty Leppänen and bassist Chef. The trio’s latest album is a celebration of their twenty-fifth anniversary playing together. This new record is a twenty-five-track double-disc called Live On Air. Recorded raw from two separate recordings, with no overdubs, the album intimately places the listener front and center of two stellar performances: the first, an in-studio recording which took place in 2020 for DLF Radio’s On Stage program, the second is from a 2023 performance recorded at the Blues Baltica Festival in Eutin, Germany.

I love the harmonics on “Mississippi” which opens Volume One. With a steady beat and the wonderful steel twang of a resonator guitar, the record opens in most delicious and swampy way. The swampilicious sounds continue on to the up-tempo “Tell That Woman”. The song is fiery and infectious. It certainly has a clever way of digging in to my subconscious. Big Bill Broonzy’s “Big Bill Blues” is a plate of real-deal blues. The harmonizing voices sound great with the mandolin backing. It’s an outstanding cover. My eyes light up when they get to the Tony Joe White cover “Polk Salad Annie”. They definitely make it their own, and the interlude is downright amazing. “Gotta See My Church” an original blues spiritual from their studio album Let the Fire Lead is a beautiful and captivating listen. “Good Friend” from the Up the Wall album is indeed a favorite. That’s a great thing because this song is performed on both volumes.

On Volume Two, I soak up all I can from “Let the Fire Lead” and put the fire in my heart and soul. Bjorklof tears it up on the riveting “I’m a Guitar Man”. This is lightning in a bottle for sure. I totally dig their delivery of the Muddy Waters classic “Hoochie Coochie Man”. That heavy baseline from Chef absolutely fortifies the song. “Let Me Love You Baby” immediately follows with a stunning performance which leaves me dazzled. The record wraps up with a cool sort of benediction “Do the Right Thing”, leaving the listener with a positive message and feeling good.

Live on Air, from Micke & Lefty feat. Chef is an addictive listen. The more I hear it, the more I want to hear it, and I highly recommend this to all the blues fans out there.

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Photos by Bez Slów

Micke

Lefty

Chef

Micke & Lefty feat. Chef

For more information about Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip visit www.mickebjorklof.com

For more information about Micke & Lefty feat. Chef visit www.mickeandlefty.com

For past PhillyCheeze reviews of Micke Bjorklofs music (Including the newly released Outtakes) visit this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=micke+bjorklof

Saturday, December 21, 2024

#720 > Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - Outtakes (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2024 – Hokahey! Records

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 21, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I love the riveting energy Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip pour into their music. This Finnish band sure has a way of making the blues sound magical. Their latest album Outtakes is a nine-track collection of unleased songs ranging over their thirty-year career. According to Bjorklof, “The album offers fans an exclusive look at these previously unreleased tracks that are still full of soul, groove and emotion”. With Bjorklof, front and center on vocals, harmonica, and guitar, he is joined by Lefty Leppanen on slide, electric guitars, and vocals, Seppo Nuolikoski on bass, Teemu Vuorela on drums, and Timo Roiko-Jokela on percussion, malletkat and vibraphone.

Outtakes begins with the spirited and freewheeling “On Vacation”. Originally recorded during the Ain’t Bad Yet sessions in 2014, this instant-favorite sure rejuvenates my soul. I love Bjorklof’s firey vocals and Lefty’s slide guitar performance on “Way to Go”. The song hits me like a gallop through Mississippi swampland. I’m captivated by the funky and bluesy rhythm which drives the beautiful and intoxicating 2002 track “Silver Moon”. Loaded with delicious slide guitar, this one is absolutely brilliant. They bring the album to an attention-grabbing end with “Spooky Ride”. This caffeinated track is loaded to the brim with smoldering musical jam. Everything fits together wonderfully tight as Vuorela guides them with his fierce and masterful drumming.

It’s a thrill to hear this Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip Outtakes album. The glimpses it provides into band’s three-decade long history makes a great listen for existing fans, and new listeners both.

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For more information about Micke Bjorklof, visit the website @ https://www.mickebjorklof.com/

Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Micke Bjorklof and visit

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=micke+bjorklof

Saturday, July 1, 2023

#622 : Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip - Colors of Jealousy (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2023 – Hokahey! Music Productions

By Phillip Smith; July 1,2023

Release Date : June 16, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I’ve been writing about the music of Micke Bjorklof since 2014 with the After the Flood release. I love the way his crafted lyrics and musical arrangements are brought to life with Blue Strip. Their latest album Colors of Jealousy has again captivated me with every listen. Bjorklof has a unique way to making the blues sound new again. It’s no surprise to me that they are among the most popular live blues and roots acts in Finland where they have been playing music since 1991. Bjorklof who fronts the band on lead vocals, harmonica, and electric guitar, is joined with Ville “Lefty” Leppänen on electric, slide, and acoustic guitars, mandolin, and backing vocals, bassist Seppo Nuolikoski, drummer Teemu Vuorela, percussionist/MalletKAT master Timo Roiko-Jokela, backing vocalists Lena Lindroos and Veera Railio, with Harri Taittonen on Hammond organ and keys.

“Highway Highway’ rolls out atop a driving rhythm with a soulful fusion of Muscle Shoals and Texas blues. Once heard, I am hooked. The swampy sounds of “Feel it in my Bones” follows up on a plate of delectable slide guitar and searing harp. The hook is very infectious. Title-track “Colors of Jealousy” hits like the soundtrack to a lost Sergio Leone spaghetti western film. The landscape is ominous and beautifully twangy as Bjorklof sings about lost love. I keep going back for seconds, each time I hear Micke’s hard-driving harp and Lefty’s searing guitar on “Thought You Were Mine”. Imagery of having an ice-cold beer and rocking out the song in a steamy Mississippi juke joint are conjured from my brain.

Colors of Jealousy is another hit record from Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip. I highly recommend it.

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TRACK LISTINGS

1.      Highway Highway
2.      Feel it in My Bones
3.      Colors of Jealousy
4.      Missing That Woman
5.      Are You Real
6.      Long Ago
7.      Thought You Were Mine
8.      Good Times Somehow
9.      Get Out
10. Into the Fire
11. It Takes Two

For more information about Micke Bjorklof visit his website at : https://www.mickebjorklof.com/

Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews for Micke Bjorklof at : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Micke+Bjorklof

Saturday, January 22, 2022

#538 : Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - Whole 'Nutha Thang

2021 – Ruf Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 22, 2022

I’ve been a fan of Finnish, award-winning blues artist/bandleader Micke Bjorklof since reviewing his 2014 release After the Flood. Bjorklof and Blue Strip had recorded four albums prior. One of those being 2007’s Whole ‘Nutha Thing, originally released only in Scandinavia. That album is now remastered and re-released by Ruf Records to help celebrate Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip’s thirty-year anniversary of being a touring band. Recorded in London and produced by Neil Brokbank, this landmark record redefined the band’s sound. With Bjorklof on lead vocals and harmonica, the band consists of Lefty Leppanen on slide/guitars, Seppo Nuolikoski on bass/piano, Teemu Vuorela on drums, and Roiko-Jokela on percussion/vibraphone/keys. The eleven-track album also features guest appearances by Geraint Watkins (Paul McCartney, Bill Wymann ,Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler) on keys, and horn players from Van Morrison’s band at the time, Matt Holland on trumpet/flugel horn and Martin Winning on saxophone.

With a Dylan-esque swagger, “Jungle Cat” strolls through with a delicious dose of twangy slide and barrel-house piano. Bjorklof goes into full swing on “Back to my Room”. Leppanen’s guitar performance is stunning and the rhythm section is amazingly tight. This is one to jump, jive and wail to. A whimsical, hypnotic melody speckled with slide creates the dreamy quality in “I Fell Down From the Tree (When I Saw Robert Johnson Pass Me By)”. “Grapesugar Love” breaks out the funk in a big juicy way with bodacious blasts of brass mixed with a huge dose of swampy slide. It’s vibrant and absolutely wonderful. Time stands still as a melancholy wave washes over me with each listen of “Silver Moon”. Bjorklof’s silky smooth vocals sound fantastic against this beautiful piano-led melody which brings Whole ‘Nutha Thang to its end.

Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip never cease to amaze me. They are surely among my favorites.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.mickebjorklof.com

Previous PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Micke Bjorklof:

Micke & Lefty (feat Chef ) – Let the Fire Lead

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2020/10/465-micke-lefty-feat-chef-let-fire-lead.html

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip – Twentyfive Live at Blues Baltica

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/08/348-micke-bjorklof-blue-strip.html

Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang – Stat(u)e of Mind

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/01/southpaw-steel-n-twang-statue-of-mind.html

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip – Ain’t Bad Yet

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2015/11/micke-bjorklof-blue-strip-aint-bad-yet.html

Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang – Hale’s Pleasure Railway

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2014/09/southpaw-steel-n-twang-hales-pleasure.html

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip – After the Flood

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2014/08/micke-bjorklof-blue-strip-after-flood.html

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

#478 : PhillyCheeze's Favorite 20 of 2020

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 24, 2020

PhillyCheeze's Favorite 20 of 2020
(in alphabetical order)

Bai Kamara Jr & the Voodoo Sniffers - Salone

Ben Rice & RB Stone - Out of the Box

Bette Smith - The Good the Bad the Bette

BillyLee Janey - 20 Dollar Tip

8 Ball Aitken - Swamp Blues 2

Eliza Neals - Black Crow Moan

Eric Hughes Band - Postcard from Beale

Erin Harpe - Meet Me in the Middle

Fantastic Negrito - Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?

Kevin Burt - Stone Crazy

Micke & Lefty feat Chef - Let the Fire Lead

Peter Parcek - Mississippi Suitcase

Robert Connely Farr - Country Supper

Ryan Perry - High Risk, Low Reward

Sir Rod & the Blues Doctors - Come Together

Sister Lucille - Alive

Sonny Green - Found! One Soul Singer

Tas Cru - Drive On

Tony Holiday - Soul Service

Too Slim and the Taildraggers - The Remedy

I'm including a Spotify Playlist so you can easily give a listen to each of the albums.

Click on the link below to purchase any of this terrific music from the PhillyCheeze Amazon Store. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

PhillyCheeze Pop Up Blues Store

Saturday, October 3, 2020

#465 : Micke & Lefty (feat Chef) - Let the Fire Lead

2020 – Hokahey Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 3, 2020

It’s been ten years since Micke Björklöf, Lefty Leppänen, and Chef recorded their last album “Up the Wall”. Their brand-new album Let the Fire Lead fabulously celebrates their twentieth anniversary of making music together. For the past several years this Finnish trio has been involved with other noteworthy musical projects as well. Björklöf and Leppänen have been busy with their band Blue Strip. Leppänen also had been involved with his trio Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang. Chef has been playing with The Lumberjacks, a band he co-founded in 2007. Björklöf noted “We had a wakeup call last summer when we realized that almost ten years had passed since the last album release. We felt this could be now or never, so we booked the studio right away.”. The album was then recorded at their home base in Finland.

On National resonator guitar, Lefty takes the lead vocals on “Small Town Baby”, a spectacular blues-rocker with a driving rhythm and the gusto of U2. Micke takes the mic on title-track “Let the Fire Lead”, a lovely and delightful song with Lefty on resonator and mandolin. “Gotta See My Church” is an amazing spiritual. Sung with a big bowlful of passion, and played with a fiery finesse, its heart-pounding bass and drums sets an ominous undertone. Whimsically advocating the minimalist lifestyle, they sing less is more in “No Stuff is Good Enuff”. The chorus is really infectious, and sets its hooks in quickly.

There’s a lot of energy poured into their cover of Willie Dixon’s “Tell That Woman”. With Micke on lead vocals, dobro, and percussion, Lefty on resonator guitar, and Chef on upright bass, the song absolutely cooks. Their voices harmonize quite nicely while serving up the country blues of Big Bill Broonzy in their performance of “Big Bill Blues”. I really like their cover of Robert Johnson’s “I’m a Steady Rollin’ Man” too. It is an absolute treat with guest lead vocalist Eero Raittinen. Chef’s pounding bass-line adds a sense of intensity while Lefty rips it up on his National guitar.