Bitrate:320K/s
Year:2025
Time:53:12
Size:122,7 MB
Label:Delmark Records
Styles:Blues
Art:Front
Tracks Listing:
1. You Ain't The Only One - 3:09
2. Third Wheel - 3:28
3. Quarter To Three - 3:41
4. Stepped Out Of Line - 4:51
5. Can't Take It - 4:13
6. Moonshine Man - 2:56
7. Champin' At The Bit - 3:49
8. Love (It Makes You Do Most Anything) - 3:23
9. Shiverin' Blues - 5:40
10. The Sock Hop - 3:39
11. Blue Amber - 3:37
12. I Ain't Evil - 4:06
13. Don't Look Back - 3:15
14. Four Steel Walls - 3:19
Musicians:
PIERRE LACOCQUE Harp (ALL TRACKS) Amplified Harp WHEN PLAYING WITH Omar Coleman (6, 14); Hand Clapping (6);
SHERYL YOUNGBLOOD Vocals (1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13);
INETTA VISOR & DANESHIA HAMILTON Vocals (3);
DANIELLE NICOLE Vocals (2, 9);
OMAR COLEMAN Vocals (14); Acoustic Harp (6, 14);
NANETTE FRANK, DIANE MADISON & MAE KOEN (“NADIMA”) Background Vocals & Arrangements (1, 4, 8, 10, 14); Hand Clapping (6);
GILES COREY Rhythm & Lead Guitar (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14); Slide Guitar (9);
BILLY FLYNN Rhythm & Lead Guitar (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14); Slide Guitar (10);
JOHNNY IGUANA Acoustic Piano (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14);
JOHN KATTKE B3 Organ, Fender Rhodes, Piano, Wurlitzer (1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13);
BRIAN QUINN Bass (1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13); Acoustic Bass (9);
BIG MIKE PEREZ Bass (3, 4, 6, 14);
JASON “J ROCK” EDWARDS Drums (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13);
KENNY “BEEDY EYES” SMITH Drums (2, 7, 9);
MARC FRANKLIN Trumpet & Horn Arrangements (1, 8, 10, 14);
KIRK SMOTHERS Sax (1, 8, 10, 14; SOLO ON 14);
ANTHONY “TONY” ALEXANDER Percussion (12, 14);
NATALIE BENNISON Hand Clapping (6);
Any master of the arts always looks creatively ahead, never back. Each of Mississippi Heat’s 13 previous records since their 1992 debut album, Straight From The Heart, has shown a growing confidence on every level. There’s confidence in the songwriting, the musical arrangements, the swing, the powerful vocals, and the contributions of every guest musician. That confidence can only grow through decades of studying, playing, touring, and recording. Lacocque’s 14 originals illustrate his development as a mature musician, writer, and arranger. He no longer imitates the master but instead forges ahead with his unique voice and style. “From the beginning, my brother Michel urged me to write original songs to distinguish our band from others who tended to do covers. I wrote most of the material on each of our CDs. Here, all the songs are mine. “These songs are centered around my life, joys, and concerns. You will find lyrics about love, the devastation that drug and alcohol abuse brings on a family (using homelessness as a metaphor for losing everything), the grief of losing my father (who passed away at 94 due to COVID-19 complications), sharing that we are not alone when we are down and out, happier times ahead, etc.”
His songs have matured into vignettes that every listener can relate to. Whether he takes us back in time with the nostalgic “The Sock Hop” or addresses daily stresses with “Champin’ At The Bit” or “Four Steel Walls,” which addresses the devastating effects of drug abuse or the relationship advice on the title cut, Lacocque’s words paint lyrical pictures.
The song with the most fun is “Moonshine Man,” the reed-blowin’ session between Lacocque and Omar Coleman. Like the legendary Harp Attack recording with Wells, Cotton, Branch, and Carey Bell, “Moonshine Man” is a bar-by-bar, head cutting by two giants of the instrument.
His most chilling parable is “Shiverin’ Blues,” the story written for Lacocque’s father, André, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 in 2022 and never recovered. Lacocque accurately describes from his father’s point of view the effects of the disease, and yet he still offers comfort to all victims and families affected by that pandemic.
It’s only fitting that Danielle Nicole, one of the genre’s finest voices, performs the song’s deep blues. As Danielle lets her voice explore the dark emotions of the song, every musician supports her painful cries with a musical response. Lacocque’s harmonica, Giles Corey’s slide guitar, and John Kattke’s B-3 organ all weave instrumental colors that answer Danielle’s dying pleas.
Which brings us to Lacocque’s forte in assembling the finest musicians as part of the process to further the band’s dedication to dig deeper into the core of its blues vision.
Amid the usual Heat members like Corey, Flynn, Kattke, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith (drums), Johnny Iguana (piano), and Brian Quinn (bass), Lacocque also adds a three-man horn section and FOUR unique voices, Inetta Visor, Sheryl Youngblood, Daneshia Hamilton, and Danielle Nicole.
How do 20 world-class singers and musicians fit into 14 songs? “Relying on the unique talents of each musician is the key to a happy band. Not everyone can deliver certain songs I have in mind, while others can. My motto is to build on the talents that surround me. Some musicians have a vintage blues touch, and others have a more modern blues interest. So, I bring guests if I want a certain sound.”
Lacocque stresses that each musician focuses on the message and mood of the song. Harmonica, guitar, keys, horns, drums, and bass complete the story. This ensemble of stars knows their instruments, never playing an indulgent note. On every song, the unit weaves instruments and solos effortlessly, like five basketball players passing and weaving on a court, adding emotional color to the lyrical story each singer expresses.One constant in every Heat outing is a strong female vocalist. The four singers assembled here bring unique life experiences into the personal interpretations of Lacocque’s storytelling. Here, Lacocque addresses the contributions of each:
“I first met Inetta Visor in the early 2000s. She can deliver a wide range of emotions and sing in all 12 keys, making it easy for me to choose her for original songs. She is an awesome singer. Sheryl Youngblood has a commanding stage presence and holds the crowd in the palm of her hands. She has one of the best voices in Chicago. Daneshia Hamilton has an incredible voice and digs deep to deliver her lyrics. She typically comes on stage unassumingly and leaves it with a standing ovation from fans. She is Chicago’s hidden gem. Finally, Danielle Nicole is an extraordinary singer. I am honored that she accepted to sing two songs on the album, one of which is her gut-wrenching rendition of ‘Shiverin’ Blues.’”
With Pierre Lacocque at the controls and an artistic collective of veteran and rising new artists, Mississippi Heat continues to look ahead as it stretches the boundaries of Chicago blues.
