Opening with Ray Charles' "Get On the Right Track," blues harmonica icon Mark Hummel sets the tone for a romp that doesn't let it up. Nicely mixed with originals and well-chosen covers, Hummel and his crackerjack band swing and sway through a strong 13-tune program. Muddy's "She's Got It" follows the opener, giving more credibility to the collective chops of the band. Hummel has grown into a fine vocalist to match his impressive harmonicizing. His songwriting is equally impressive. The classic sounding "I Didn't Need Another Heartache" and, especially, the mambo-flavored "Big Easy (Ain't Easy No More)" are wholly impressive works.

"Jump With You Baby" sounds like a Wynonie Harris tune and is credited to King Taub. This is where Hummel and the fellas shine. A hard swinging West Coast style band, they're wholly absorbed in the style and serve it up saucier than most.

The instrumental burner "Harpoventilating" is a downhill train that just rocks along unstoppably. Followed by his "So Glad," a tune enhanced by Bob Welsh's hot piano, Charles Wheal's superb guitar, and sizzling horns by Mike Rinta (trombone) and Scott Peterson (saxes)

Hummel's take on Little Sonny's classic "Creeper Returns," on which he is accompanied by Marty Dodson (drums) and Steve Wolf (bass) and colored by Welsh's big organ, is superb. Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller)'s "Stop Now Baby" is turned into a swinger by Wheal's slick guitar.

Eddie Boyd is represented by the classic Chicago lines of "You Got to Reap" and the hard blowing "Blues Is Here to Stay." Hummel and company can handle anything that comes their way, and this is about as good as West Coast blues gets.

"This review is copyright © by the writer and Blues On Stage: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission." Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!

Buy this CD NOW:

Other CDs:

Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on the Amazon banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.

Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:

---

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details). Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!

---

Web Hosting & Design: CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75. The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!

If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies of your CD to:

Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983

E-mail Ray Stiles with any questions.