MITCH KASHMAR "LIVE AT LABATT" Source: Penguin Eggs Date: 02/2009 Writer: Eric Thom

You might not know Mitch Kashmar but you will. An established West Coast harp player from the swing blues camp, he got a memorable voice and a Little Walter-schooled approach to harp blasting that spells out a party mood in seconds flat. Leading L.A. Pontiax in the 80’s, he also did time replacing Lee Oskar in War before ending up on the prestigious Delta Groove label. This live recording comes from 2007 Edmonton Blues Festival and features former William Clarke guitarist John Marx, former Pontiax drummer Tom Lackner, bassist Steve Nelson and keyboardist Jimmy Calire. Running through a varied offering of three originals and diverse covers from the likes of Horace Silver (Song for my Father) and Lou Donaldson (the hilarious Whiskey Drinkin’ Woman’ and  Good Rockin’ Roy Brown’s Lollipop Mama).

Comparisons to Clarke are not unfounded and Kashmar delivers a consistent groove that begins to grow on you, especially in this live, relatively stripped-down setting. Keep your eye on this guy and delight in solos that leave you, not surprisingly, wanting more.