R.J. Mischo – He Came To Play (Crosscut Records).

When I see the name R.J. Mischo I expect harmonica blues and this album doesn’t fail to deliver. The Train is classic swing blues and a great foot-tapping entry into the world of Mischo. He has not lost any of the power from the Downhome Trio album that I reviewed for Netrhythms last year. This Lewis Collins song is noisy and in your face – suits his voce very well. Joe Hutto’s 20% Alcohol is up next and Mischo gives it a good treatment. An electric blues, it was recorded live in the studio as is the rest of the album and has Frank Goldwasser bending his guitar strings to good effect. Mojo Lounge is the first of the original songs. There’s some excellent harmonica, as expected and it is a true example of Mischo’s song writing skills. The Switch is another original and is an instrumental, very 60s in its style, attitude and execution. The originals continue with Telephone Driver (Hang Up & Dance). This has echoed vocals and is delivered at walking pace. The pounding drums from June Core are the focal point. There is a second instrumental in the form of The Pull. Self-penned again with Mischo, Barry Shulman on sax and Goldwasser & Chris ‘Kid’ Anderson on guitar all starring.

John Lee Williamson’s famous Bluebird Blues always has been a classy song and Mischo’s version does not change that. What he does do is stamp his authority all over it. Please Help is an up-tempo Joe Hutto song played to great effect by this tight band whereas James Dawkins’ Hippie’s Playground is a straightforward bustling blues with a beat akin to Howlin’ Wolf’s Spoonful. The Waddle is the third of Mischo’s instrumentals and is probably the best. The slightly fuzzed harp and fast pace show that he is a real harp players player. There’s more evidence of his song writing talent on RJ Come And Get It. This is just harp, sax and drums – short and very sweet. The eponymous self-penned title track is probably the weakest track on the album. It’s not very inspiring and is a bit disjointed at times. He recovers for the end of the album with Jokerhead, complete with drunken vocal, and Uh Huh which is my way for an album to finish – full of energy.

http://www.crosscut.de/
http://www.rjblues.com/

Copyright David Blue 2006.