MISSISSIPPI HEAT - CD HANDYMAN

Popis - HANDYMAN:
Led by virtuoso Pierre Lacocque on harp, this Chicago-based band focusses on ensemble work. Every instrument collaborates to create a weave that harks from the days of Howlin' wolf, Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers. On this album, Barrelhouse Chuck adds on the piano what Otis Spann, Little Brother Montgomery and Leroy Carr gave us in the 50's. Carl Weathersby and Chris Winters work magic on the guitar and Kenny Smith keeps the pulse on drums like his father (Willie Smith) did for 15 years with Muddy Waters. Pierre wrote most of the material and blows powerfuk and melodic harp. Billy Boy calls him a virtuoso and Niles Frantz of WBEZ's Chicago Public radio calls him a budding legend. Katherine Davis sings her heart out; Billy Boy Arnold and George Baze sing several tunes with great conviction and Zora Young swings us in her inimitable Chicago blues style for a great song. George Baze died shortly after the studio recording and before the release of this CD. It is dedicated to his memory. *********** Here is what the critics say: PRESS REVIEWS/QUOTES HANDYMAN HANDYMAN WAS VOTED « BEST CD OF THE YEAR » BY REAL BLUES MAGAZINE « MISSISSIPPI HEAT delivers its traditional urban blues with a freshness, energy and competence that makes them a treasure on today’s Chicago scene. HANDYMAN is packed with quality original numbers presented by an all-star line-up that keeps its ego in check and truly works as a musical team. » - LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE « This music is soulful, honest, and visionary. It soars with ecstatic celebration! With Pierre’s extraordinary harp playing, Katherine Davis’ super vocals, and the high energy and vitality of so many accomplished players, MISSISSIPPI HEAT is THE blueprint for blues lovers everywhere. … A creative triumph.» - NEW YORK BLUES SOCIETY « Perfectly integrated ensemble work … they are the keepers of the 50’s style Chicago blues flame. » - ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER « Listening to the 13 original cuts is like a trip back in time – to a better place, quite frankly, that most of today’s blues bands are willing to go. » - ROCK & BLUES NEWS « The 13 tracks on this CD – all originals – are patterned after the classics Chicago blues sound. Pierre Lacocque’s harp is soaring, particularly on the instrumental ‘Cornell Street Boogie ‘. Keyboardist Chuck Goering is commanding on the piano and organ, as is George Baze, former long-time member of Junior Wells’ band on guitar. The band is tight, and the lyrics are as poignant as blues lyrics get. » - DETROIT BLUES REVIEW « Some of the best work that I have done … Pierre playing is beautiful. Awesome! He is a genius on the harp… » - BILLY BOY ARNOLD, LIVING BLUES LEGEND « Best MISSISSIPPI HEAT release ever! » - MICK MARTIN (KXJZ-FM, SACRAMENTO, CA) « This fantastic harmonica-driven band MISSISSIPPI HEAT … works as a true ensemble in all apects of the production and performance. … Pierre is not the only reason to get this CD – the vocals by Katherine Davis and support of the other players are strong – but he is a significant one with his mastery of the instrument and tone that won’t quit. » - AMERICAN HARMONICA NEWSLETTER « MISSISSIPPI HEAT provides a yardstick for Chicago Blues. Every band that claims to play Chicago Blues should strive to be as good as MISSISSIPPI HEAT. » - BLUES ON STAGE FRENCH REVIEWS « Katherine Davis (est) une découverte majeure, et (fait) plus que remplacer Deitra Farr. … (Pierre) a sa propre façon de jouer, puissante et subtile á la fois, étalant ses soli sur des notes isolées persistantes, qu’il lib?re au point culminant, donnant libre cours a sa créativité. HANDYMAN est le chef d’?uvre du groupe. … Les treize titres (sont) un régal … Quant a Pierre lui-m?me, il s’affirme en véritable leader, omniprésent et efficace dans ses interventions, sachant mettre en valeur la qualité exceptionnelle de la troupe réunie. … MISSISSIPPI HEAT est parmi les plus inventifs et créatifs du blues de Chicago des derni?res années. » - ROLLIN’ AND TUMBLIN’ « HANDYMAN est sans doute le meilleur disque de Chicago blues de l’année 1999 … Le changement important de personnel au sein des MISSISSIPPI HEAT n’alt?re en rien la qualité musicale du groupe : Que ce soit la nouvelle chanteuse Katherine Davis a la voix mélancolique et mélodieuse, le batteur Kenneth Smith, le bassiste Ike Anderson, pour leur soutien sans faille, le robuste chanteur/pianiste Barrelhouse Chuck, et le chanteur/guitariste George Baze, décédé depuis, ils sont tous a féliciter pour leur prestation . Mais l’âme du groupe c’est évidemment le Belge Pierre Lacocque aux tonitruants solos d’harmonica, á la fois subtils et puissants, aux phrases dérivées de ses idoles (Little Walter, Shakey Horton) sans pour autant tomber dans le plagiat. … La plupart des titres sont signes pierre Lacocque, qui confirme encore une fois ses qualités d’harmoniciste/producteur/compositeur sur ce disque. Les MISSISSIPPI HEAT font penser a une grande famille de musiciens, voyant partir certains de leurs membres et d’autres arriver, tout en gardant le m?me esprit, la m?me joie de jouer qu’a leur début. Un superbe disque de Chicago blues … » - SIT’ART MAGAZINE ************* For more information on Mississippi Heat and its leader, harp player Pierre Lacocque, please refer to the band's website 'mississippiheat.net'. There you will find an interview with Pierre, pictures of the current line-up, audio and video clips, a press kit, and quotes from the press and professional magazines. E-mail us at 'therealheat@hotmail.com'.