MITCH KASHMAR "NICKELS & DIMES" Source: Real Blues Magazine Date: 03/2005 Writer: A. Grigg

Now, Mitch Kashmar is no stranger to us Pacific North-West Blues fans as Jack Lavin (Vancouver’s Bluesmeister) has been pushing Mitch’s profile for over a decade. What’s Mitch’s calling card? How about old-time Blues harp with lots of squeaky high notes that have to be played just right, a smooth world-weary vocal delivery and wonderful song-writing abilities. Add that to his preference for band members who dig Jimmy McCracklin, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Johnny Watson and a deep, deep Blues knowledge that’s conveyed in his choice of set material and it makes for an artist who is totally True Blues. If there’s any doubt or misconception, the first track, “Dirty Deal”, will give confirmation in a big way. Beautiful. Raful Neal/Jimmy Reed-like harp opens the tune and it’s a dancin’ tune with a typically perfect Jr. Watson guitar solo that jitterbugs notes into your ears. Mitch is truly one of finest acoustic harp blowers in the Blues today. The second track, “Nickels and Dimes” gives us a big dose of his amplified harp skills (no wasted notes). Excellent guitar again and Richard really gets a dance-inducing beat going. Really heavy harp solo from Mitch too. “New York Woman” is my favorite (and a potential Shag/Beach music hit – perfect tempo for dancin’). Welsh’s walkin’ left hand gets this chuggin’ along and loads more beautiful harp (Best Harp CD of 2005 contender, maybe?). “Just Show It To Me” is a kick-ass jumper that is totally infectious and full of Jr.’s distorto-guitar (National?). Abu Talib’s “Lizzy Mae” is an absolute classic stone-cold Blues gem and with just Abu’s vocals & guitar (still playin’ his beautifully-toned ‘Barney Kessel’-model Gibson) and Mitch’s atmospheric harp, one gets an extreme case of goosebumps and the realization that Abu Talib should be a high-profile Blues star in the U.S. (he’s worshipped in Japan). Jr. goes wild on Johnny Watson’s “Gettin Drunk” and “Becky Ann” is nasty, lowdown and full of mojo-power. “Knock ‘em Dead” features another unheralded West Coast should-be star, Arthur K. Adams, a man who has been putting out killer Blues since the 1960s. Mitch’s harp solo is a stunner and this butt-mover is another Shag/Beach hit waiting to happen (send a thousand copies to the Wax Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina). A nice rockin’, wailin’ trip to Chicago on Walter’s “I Don’t Play” and it’s alley-time on “Whiskey Drinkin’ Woman” with lots of nasty-talkin’ guitar from Jr. “We’re Sittin’ Home Tonight” is definitely a #1 Shag hit (I’m dancin’ as I write this) with exquisite chromatic harp and 1950s Central Ave. guitar from you-know-who. Killer diller folks. My, my, my…yes, yes, yes, Jack Lavin is definitely smiling saying, “I told ya, I told ya”. “Who” is another classic groove gem that is just right for cuttin’ a rug and Mitch unleashes a perfect-tone solo that’s as good as any you’ll hear in 2005. We go nuts with the rompin’ “Runnin’ Off At The Mouth”, the kind of set-closing instrumental that has everyone up on the dance floor at 2 a.m. crashin’ into tables. Mitch blows his face off and a good time is had by all.

I know it’s early folks, but good luck beating this one for Best Blues Disc of 2005. There’s just too much of everything that’s good in this one. Yes, Mitch Kashmar has finally arrived with a Big Bang. 5 sweatin' quart bottles for a Friday night bash packed on a disc. It will cure all your ills.