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MITCH
KASHMAR "NICKELS & DIMES
Source: Bad Dog Blues
Date:
Writer : Jeff Harris |
The
Delta Groove label is one of the most
promising of the newer blues labels, making their initial
splash in 2004 with terrific releases by Kirk Fletcher
and The Mannish Boys. They've kicked 2005 of in fine
fashion with releases by The Hollywood Blue Flames,
a resurrected version of the legendary Hollywood Fats
Band, and Mitch Kashmar, an under recorded harp blower/singer
who deserves wider exposure. The
Hollywood Blue Flames are indeed
the original Hollywood Fats Band (Al Blake, Fred Kaplan,
Richard Innes, and Larry Taylor) sans Fats of course
who died tragically at the age of 32. The original
Hollywood Fats Band LP issued in 1979 has become a
classic of West Coast blues and was a showcase for
the larger than life talent of Hollywood Fats. Stepping
in for Fats is Kirk Fletcher a young guitar slinger
with phenomenal chops. Fletcher made his debut with
1999's strong "I'm Here & I'm Gone"
for the JSP label and followed it with the stellar
"Shades Of Blue" issued on Delta Groove
in 2004. The Hollywood Blue Flames deliver vintage
sounding West Coast blues with a contemporary edge
and like the original unit play some great ensemble
blues. Fletcher makes his presence felt right out
of the gate as he cuts loose on the swinging, torrid
instrumental "Flambed", which makes it clear
he's the right man to fill Fats' shoes. The band effortlessly
roll through a variety of styles including the jivey,
jump classic "Nit Wit", St. Louis Jimmy's
tough "Soon Forgotten", the shuffling "I'm
A Lucky, Lucky Man" featuring some big toned,
tasteful guitar, "Coco Puffin'" a moody
after hours number with some great organ and steamy
fret work and the instrumental "Big Foot's Boogie"
a showcase for Fred Kaplan's boogie woogie piano.
Kim Wilson guests on the acoustic "You're Sweet"
laying down some typically sensitive harp work over
a stripped down backing.
Harp
man/singer Mitch Kashmar has been
on the scene for some time and is no stranger to blues
fans in the Pacific North West but has largely slipped
under the radar of most fans. "Nickels &
Dimes" should garner Kashmar some deserving wider
exposure for this exceptional harmonica player and
singer. Kashmar is teamed up with an all-star West
Coast group including his longtime friend and collaborator
Junior Watson, plus the top drawer rhythm section
of Richard Innes and Ronnie James Weber, and pianist
Bob Welsh. Making guest appearances here are blues
legends Arthur Adams and Abu Talib (formerly known
as Freddy Robinson), both incredibly versatile guitarists
and singers with long and varied resumés. Like
The Hollywood Blues Flames album there's a distinctively
West Coast vibe here featuring some stellar ensemble
work. Anchored by Kashmar's soulful vocals, inventive
harp work plus the gritty West Coast styled guitar
of Watson (think T-Bone Walker and Pee Wee Crayton),
"Nickels & Dimes" is a real gem. Kashmar
shines on all original material like the gently swinging
"Dirty Deal", the jazzy, retro vibe of "New
York Woman", the romping "Gettin' Drunk"
featuring an exceptional solo from Watson, the tough
low-down blues of "Whiskey Drinkin' Woman"
and the driving instrumental "Runnin' Off At
The Mouth" as Kashmar really cuts loose with
some tour-de-force blowing.
Like
their prior releases, the new ones by The Hollywood
Blues Flames and Mitch Kashmar will certainly rank
as two of the better blues releases of the year. Delta
Groove is off to a phenomenal start so far with all
of their discs coming highly recommended. |
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