CD Review
Paul Mayasich
Where You Been?
(Independent/D.I.Y.)
by Dick Houff
Review date: July 2003
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
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Some of the best albums for 2003, have been self-recorded. In a year of downsizing, cut-backs, bankruptcies, and sleazy political maneuvers; I'd have to say, it's pretty hard to get signed by a record label. Musicians are playing for less money, and the gigs aren't as frequent. The beauty of recording an independent album is that you, yourself, are in total charge of the music, and what you want-in other words, the sky is the limit! Paul Mayasich put together a fine mix of raw and uninhibited "Delta Blues meets Post-Modernism!" Six of the nine songs were penned by Mayasich. His voice is tough and gritty-I also love the interplay between the keyboards and horns, and how they compliment Paul's guitar-wild lyrics and some great moments on this outing. Again, we meet a guy who plays outside the norm, and makes it original. The first two tracks are a perfect example. The third track takes a serious turn into a delta swamp with the "Ghost of Howlin' Wolf!" Track four: "Somewhere in the Night," follows in the same serious mode-some damn fine guitar with plenty of soul. Track five: "Jelly Smackin' Mama" rings of Northern Mississippi,--nice slide (check out the lyrics!). Track six is tough with a sassy horn section. Track seven is the most soulful song on the disc-one of my favorites. Track eight picks up the pace and hits overdrive. And track nine: "This World," is a haunted blues that'll give you goosebumps. Highly recommended-this spinner hits the winners circle.
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