John Mooney plays pure and unadulterated blues. You can hear the influence of Son, Pink, and Reverend Gary Davis-however, John stands alone with his own distinct style and phrasing. He is at home with electric (plays it like an acoustic-extremely cool!), and unplugged. This album is an outstanding weave of both electric and acoustic. I've always been partial to steel guitars, and Mooney's 1931 National with a slide kicks major ass; creating havoc and a hell raising good time. This is Mooney's third with Blind Pig; not counting a fourth (collaboration) with Jimmy Thackery. Coming off the highly successful "Gone To Hell," this record is the perfect follow-up. There are eleven choice cuts with some damn fine covers such as Ted Hawkins' "If You Love Me." Muddy would've loved track #1: "All I Want"-totally raw! This one rings of (bygone era) Chicago. Mooney switches gears into an electric Delta sound on #2; works beautifully. Track #3: "Buried Treasure" continues on the same route (my fav.!). He picks up the pace with a more contemporary feel at track #4: "She Ain't No Good"-complete with congas; nice touch. Mooney works the hell out of track #5: "Future Blues," and track #6: "Feel Like Hollerin'"-another fav.-this time, in the plugged department! Tracks #7 through #11, are a fine mix of raw and unpretentious blues. Mooney is at the top of his game.
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This review is copyright © 2002 by Dick Houff, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.
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