The title of Mark Hummel’s latest, Ain’t Easy No More, comes from the album’s fourth track, “Big Easy (Ain’t Easy No More),” which uses Crescent City rhythms to lament the conditions in New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina. It’s a rare, politically charged statement from a performer known for his harmonica virtuosity and West Coast elegance meets Chicago grit sound. It works well, however, within the context of the concise, punchy songs that populate this decidedly up tempo set. Nothing exceeds five minutes in length with the majority of titles falling within 2:30 to 4:30 range. The sprightly pace allows nothing to get bogged down. The arrangements leave no fat on the bone, allowing Hummel’s virtuoso harp and surprisingly vital vocals a chance to shine.

The album opens with a careening take of Ray Charles’ “Get On The Right,” that sets the tone while establishing Hummel’s Jazz inflected vocal approach as a key component. Up next is Muddy Waters’, “She’s Got It,” with that signature stop time in full evidence, showing that he can still travel the road from up town to lowdown without skipping a beat. Hummel is too often considered a great player with more chops than heart, but ably proves here that he’s got all the soul in the world and can infuse the wide range of styles at hand with whatever is needed to make the listener feel as well as hear the sounds. The rhythm section of Marty Dodson(drums) and Steve Wolf(bass) lays down a rock solid bottom end while the rolling piano of Bob Welsh combines with Charles Wheal’s guitar to drive this well-oiled machine with finesse and taste. Ain’t Easy No More is a great example of just how special the modern West Coast sound is.

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