#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

 

 

#348 : Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - Twentyfive Live at Blues Baltica

2018 – Hokahey! Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 18, 2018

In 1991, front man Micke Bjorklof and bassist Seppo Nuolikoski formed Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip.  With over twenty-five years under their belt, and a few personnel changes this Finnish outfit is now stronger than ever and holds court as a top tier blues band with a global fanbase.  Twentyfive Live at Blues Baltica celebrates those twenty-five years of playing live music with a magnificent twenty-one track double live album recorded at Blues Baltica, the annual four-day blues festival in Eutin, Germany.  Alongside Micke and Seppo, the lineup of the band consists of guitarist Ville “Lefty” Leppänen who has been with the band since 1999, drummer Teemu Vuorela, and percussionist/MalletKAT master Timo Roiko-Jokela.

Firing smoothly on all cylinders, the band nicely starts off with “Jack the Black Hat” from their 2014 studio album, After the Flood.  With a tremendous jazzy groove, they splendidly cover the sultry title track to that album as well.  I love the hoodoo inspired “Ray Needs a Mojo Hand”.  It captivates me with every listen.  A couple of very cool blues covers land on disc one too: “5-10-15 Hours”, originally recorded by Ruth Brown, and a ripping celebration of “Honey Hush” which is loaded with lots of hot juicy harp.  “Honey Hush” was originally recorded and co-written by Lowell Fulsom as “Talkin’ Woman”. The song was later covered by the blues-master Albert Collins who recorded it as “Honey Hush” to place on his 1978 LP Ice Pickin’.  Lefty gives a smokin’ guitar performance on this final song of the first disc.  

The second disc opens with ”In Chains” a heart-wrenching blues ballad off Bjorklof’s 2015 studio album Ain’t Bad Yet.  “Gumbo Mama” is a fun and funky treat with a Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe.  Teemu nicely rolls the red carpet out for “Killer Woman” a twangy head-banger that rips it up in a classic rockabilly form.  It segues perfectly right into the next song, dedicated to the great, late Son House, “Ramblified” which is an incredible performance packed with lots of amazing slide guitar.  Twentyfive Live beautifully comes to a close with “Sweet Dream’s a Sweet Dream” a soulfully delicate tune which brings to mind the music of Tommy Bolin. 

Until I actually get to experience a Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip concert in person, I’m more than happy to have Twentyfive Live at Blues Baltica to enjoy.  It’s fabulous.        

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Follow the links below to read previous PhillyCheeze reviews for Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip :         

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - Ain’t Bad Yet

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

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - After the Flood

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

Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang - Stat(u)e of Mind  (w/ Ville “Lefty” Leppänen)

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

Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang - Hale’s Pleasure Railway  (w/ Ville “Lefty” Leppänen and Micke Bjorklof)

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

           

#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

 

 

#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.

Let the Fire Lead is an extraordinary album of blues and roots music delivered in a meticulous way and topped with wonderful three-part harmonies.  

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Related PhillyCheeze Reviews

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip – After the Flood

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

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip – Ain’t Bad Yet

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2015/11/micke-bjorklof-blue-strip-aint-bad-yet.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 – Hale’s Pleasure Railway

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

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

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

 

For more information about the artist, visit this website : mickeandlefty.com

 

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - After the Flood

2013 – Hokahey! Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 23, 2014

Whether tackling the blues Texas style, in a Mississippi swamp, or with a taste of funk, Finnish band, Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip plays with excellence.  Singer/rhythm guitarist/harmonicist Bjorklof is backed by lead guitarist Lefty Leppänen, bassist Seppo Nuolikoski, drummer Teemu Vuorela, and organist/pianist Brian Coogan.  After the Flood is a splendid recording of twelve original songs which are immersed in blues and roots music.

“House For the Blues” energetically gets things started.  Bjorklof sings about tearing down a shaky old barn and building in its place, a house for playing music.  Leppänen tears it up with great guitar licks reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s. Then, Bjorkloff tops it off with some howling harmonica.  The ‘wow-factor’ on this track is high.

I love the swampy tones created on “Jack the Black Hat” and “Ramblified”.  Killer slide guitar and superbly haunting backing vocals give the song about Mojo-man Jack the Black Hat an aura of coolness.  Then there’s “Ramblified”: a timeless and outstandingly written treasure.  This one screams traditional country blues.

There’s a funky side to the album too.  “Water From Your Shoe”, breaks out the funk midway through, following a borderline gospel beginning fitting for the church scene from the film, The Blues Brothers.  “Gumbo Mama” is a fun track as well.  Lefty lays down a funky groove while Bjorklof rolls out vocals a la Anthony Kiedis of The Red Hot Chili Peppers on the chorus. 

Industrial percussion and the dark boozy lyrics of “King Alcohol” bring to mind one my favorites, Tom Waits. This one is an unexpected treat.  “Woogie or Die”, takes a walk on the dark-side as well.  A cool revved up intro and ominous unsettling chords set the mood for this heart-racing song about being forced ‘Sopranos style’ to play music for a private after-hours party.  

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill blues band.  The songs these guys have to offer are forged from top-notch and original writing, and performed with an excellence in musicianship.  Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.    

Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - Ain’t Bad Yet

2015 – Hokahey! Records

By Phillip Smith; Nov 7, 2015

 

Ain’t Bad Yet, the sixth album from Finnish blues-rock group Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip is an instant hit as far as I’m concerned.  The lineup of the band remains the same, featuring Bjorklof (vocals/harmonica/guitar), Lefty Leppänen(electric guitar/slide guitar), Teemu Vuorela(drums),  Seppo Nuolikoski(bass) and Timo Roiko-Jokela(percussion/malletkat).  Terrific songs and outstanding performances with a rich southern vibe are key to the allure of this album, which by the way is produced by legendary John Porter.

A saucy rhythm, joined with hot harmonica licks, spill all over “Rat Race”, a spectacular jammin’ favorite, reminiscent of one of my favorite bands, Phish.  I love the change of tempo when the band breaks into “Sweet Dream’s a Sweet Dream”, a slightly spacy Hendrix-influenced treat.  Leppänen’s swampy slide guitar sounds so good on “Last Train to Memphis”, and “Today”.    

Catchy blues-filed hooks and a hard driving beat keep the anti-war anthem “Rain in Jerusalem” quite centered.  This is such a powerful song.  Bjorklof delivers funky vocals and sweet harmonica over a really cool little bass-line provided by Seppo on “Hold Your Fire Baby”.  Gritty blues sounds best with some cool harp. 

I dig the twangy “Blame It On the Bright Lights”, with its catchy back-beat.  John Porter steps in with guitar in hand and is joined by singers Lena Lindroos and Veera Railio. This song reminds me a lot of southern twangsters, Southern Culture on the Skids. I can’t help but feel good all over when I hear it.

Ain’t Bad Yet is a soulful blend of blues and country, making this eleven track album a refreshingly cool listen from start to end.  Micke Bjorklof and Blue Strip definitely hit this one out of the park.  

Phillycheeze's Favorites from 2018

By Phillip Smith; Dec 29, 2018

        The Phillycheeze Top 20 of 2018 (in alphabetical order)

• Amanda Fish - Free  : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/09/353-amanda-fish-free.html

• Brother Dege - Farmer's Almanac : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/07/343-brother-dege-farmers-almanac.html

• The Eric Hughes Band - Meet Me in Memphis :  https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/04/331-eric-hughes-band-meet-me-in-memphis.html

• Fantastic Negrito - Please Don't Be Dead : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/06/335-fantastic-negrito-please-dont-be.html

• Geoff Achison - Sovereign Town : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/09/350-geoff-achison-sovereign-town.html

• Ghost Town Blues Band - Backstage Pass : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/06/336-ghost-town-blues-band-backstage-pass.html 

• Kevin Burt - Heartland & Soul : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/12/365-kevin-burt-heartland-soul.html

• Kim Simmonds - Jazzin' on the Blues : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/09/kim-simmonds-jazzin-on-blues.html

• Little Boys Blue feat. Kid Memphis - Hard Blue Space : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/06/338-little-boys-blue-wkid-memphis-hard.html

• Mark Harrison - The Panoramic View : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/10/355-mark-harrison-panoramic-view.html

• Matty T Wall - Sidewinder : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/09/351-matty-t-wall-sidewinder.html 

• Michelle Malone -Slings and Arrows : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/01/315-michelle-malone-slings-arrows.html

• Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip - Twentyfive Live @ Blues Baltica : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/08/348-micke-bjorklof-blue-strip.html

• Ms Zeno the Mojo Queen - Back in Love : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/11/361-ms-zeno-mojo-queen-back-in-love.html

• Muddy Gurdy : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/02/318-muddy-gurdy.html

• Shaw Davis and the Black Ties - Tales From the West :  https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/12/368-shaw-davis-black-ties-tales-from.html

• Sugar Brown - It's a Blues World : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/06/367-sugar-brown-its-blues-world-calling.html

• The Bennett Brothers - Not Made for Hire : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/09/354-bennett-brothers-not-made-for-hire.html

• Too Slim and the Taildraggers - High Desert Heat : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/05/334-too-slim-and-taildraggers-high.html

• Victor Wainwright and the Train self-titled : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/03/322-victor-wainwright-and-train-self.html

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

2014 – Bafe’s Factory

By Phillip Smith; Sep 21, 2014

Hales’s Pleasure Railway, from the Finnish trio, Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang, is an interesting roots music album with a heavy jam band appeal.  Ville “Lefty” Leppänen, guitarist for Micke Bjorklof & BlueStrip, breaks out his lap and pedal steel guitars to join forces with drummer Tero Mikkonen, bassist JP Mönkkönen , and special guest organist/backing vocalist Jukka Haikonen for a stripped down, in-studio recording of eleven original “twangfully” terrific songs, most of which happen to be instrumentals.

Swampy cowboy-western “Open Field” is thick with steel guitar.  Taking a curious twist midway, Leppänen mysteriously captures the essence of the Grateful Dead with a very-Jerry Garcia inspired journey on lead guitar.  Afterward, the listener is dropped off into a funky little danceable track called “Bayou” which has a fun and infectiously swampy Louisiana-flavored groove.  Perfectly fitted to be on anyone’s tiki party playlist is “Secret Sunset”.  This Hawaiian themed track puts a smile on my face every time it’s heard. 

Leppänen creates an aura of hipness in the ultra-cool, “Bad Alley”, with haunting guitar riffs, like those of Jim Heath of Reverend Horton Heat. I absolutely love this style of playing.  Slowing things down a bit is “Red”, steeped in a tasty brew of jazz, and sweetened with the resin of Pink Floyd’s very early years. “Dark C”, a monster of a song, rocks out like Primus with a heavy bass line, industrial beats, and funky grooves. 

I really like the way Southpaw Steel ‘n’ Twang, surrounded in the spirit of early country & western music, brings with it, the delightful art of the jam.  That, along with a few contemporary influences, makes Hale’s Pleasure Railway a vibrant enjoyable listen from start to finish.