There’s little question that ‘serious’ art lasts longest. And we tend to give greater critical credence to music that delves into life’s dark corners over music suffused with lighthearted humour. By that standard, the self-titled outing by The Mississippi Hippies may not have much of a shelf life. Pretty much everything here is performed with tongue firmly in cheek, with sly humour and a nod-and-a-wink sense of fun pervading every note. The thing is, though, that this is quite simply one of the best - and most enjoyable - blues-based discs you’re likely to encounter. The Hippies – veterans all, led by vocalist John Dickie, with brothers Hugh and Gordie Leggat helping out with songwriting and guitars (the former contributes bass as well) – positively romp through a high-spirited set of originals with equal parts exuberance and superb musicianship. Yet while the instrumental attack is uniformly excellent – drummer Mike Sloski is one of Canada’s best, and supporting players are as good as it gets – no one takes themselves too seriously. So we get titles like “Rockolater” (pure, balls-to-the-wall rock ‘n’ roll), “Cruisilatin’ Time” and “Sci-Fi Baby,” along with hilarious ditties like “Don’t Touch My Hair” (a classic grinding twelve-bar) and “Luv Pad,” a tune that Family Guy’s Quagmire could easily adopt as his theme song. Again, everything here is rooted firmly in the blues, though the reckless abandon of rock ‘n’ roll is never far away. Dickie is utterly superb on vocals, alternately howling and growling his way through each tune with joyous aplomb while adding judicious harp on a handful. Norm Brown and Rob Gusevs share keyboard duties (piano and organ), and a killer horn section combines raw power with invariably intriguing arrangements. So it’s not a ‘serious artistic statement’ that explores the depths of the human condition. But the music’s as good or better than any outing I’ve come across recently, and if anyone offers you more fun on a shiny silver platter, chances are it’s illegal. This one gets my very highest recommendation … seriously!

Contact:
www.mississippihippies.com

"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 (or 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.

More CDs:

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.