MITCH KASHMAR "LIVE AT LABATT" Source: Blues & Rhythm Magazine Date: 02/2009 Writer: Brian Smith

Ace harp-man Mitch Kashmar was one of the West Coast's best kept (and shamefully under-recorded) secrets for many years, before Delta Groove shared him with the rest of the blues world via his two superb, award-garnering studio albums; now follows 'the live album'. Such a concept was often exciting in my youth, particularly with artists we'd little chance of seeing in the flesh, later too often becoming a rather tired, contract-fulfilling excuse when creativity was drying up; but it has come into its own again with improvements in recording techniques - and the prolific broadcasting on FM radio leading to wide, unofficial circulation (notably in Germany) of some really excellent performances. This has helped companies to treat the medium with more respect, bringing us some first-class live albums in recent years, such as those by Sherman Robertson and Otis Rush (mentioned solely because I played both, earlier today) - and this little gem from our man Mitch.

The set was recorded by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation at the 9th Edmonton Labatt Blues Festival, in August 2007; under the watchful eye of Delta Groove's head-honcho Randy Chortkoff and re-mixed by Kashmar and Glen Nishdia, though (they promise) with minimum tinkering. It features all ten songs done that day, in performances that are more stretched-out than in the studio, yet still remain comfortably compact. He pays just four visits to his albums, kicking-off here appropriately enough with their openers, 'I Got No Reason' a classic West Coast swinger, dropping effortlessly into Jimmy Reed grind for 'Dirty Deal'. The tight, splendid band with (rather than merely behind) him features Steve Nelson on bass, Jimmy Calire, keys, Tom Lackner on drums and former William Clarke alumnus John Marx on particularly fine guitar. Marx is in fact the perfect partner to Kashmar's high-class blowing, throughout, but especially on something of a tribute to his old boss (and Mitch's long-time pal), when they rock their way irresistibly through a favourite Clarke party-piece, Roy Brown's 'Lollipop Mama'.
The rest are fresh and varied, with not a festival staple (nor a 'Say yeah') in sight, Horace Silver's beautiful 'Song For My Father' being a particularly pleasant surprise. My other favourites were 'Evil Man Blues' (re-sexing Dinah Washington's 'Gal') and the storming closer, a sturdy and swinging workout on Big Al Sears' 'Castle Rock' that showcases  all the band to very good effect.

Kashmar's new fans can buy with confidence - one of the best live albums I've heard in quite a while, every bit as good as his studio outings – and one I hope might reach the ears of someone able to get him over here, where he would blow away our festival-goers.