MITCH KASHMAR "LIVE AT LABATT" Source: BluesArt.at Date: 11/2008 Writer: Norman Darwen

Falling between these two generations is harpman and singer Mitch Kashmar, who works with funk group War (filling Lee Oskar’s shoes!) when not pursuing his own career. ‘Live At Labatt’ was recorded in Western Canada and has this dynamic musician stretching out on a variety of blues material, drawn mainly from his previous two releases for the label. He is accompanied by a hot little band comprising former William Clarke’s old guitarist John Marx, pianist Jimmy Calire, bassist Steve Nelson and drummer Tom Lackner, and the results are as hot and swinging as any other California harpmeister you care to name - and hotter and swinginger than many others you can probably think of; the opening two numbers, a swing-blues and a Jimmy Reed styled number should convince you. The playing by all concerned is stupendous throughout, and some of the excitement of the show definitely communicates itself across the laser light. The only thing that is missing are the visuals, as on ‘Dirty Deal’ the crowd can be heard applauding and good though Mitch’s playing is here, I don’t think it is just for that. However, it’s the music that matters, and yet again, Delta Groove have chalked up another winner.