Mitch Woods – Friends Along The Way
Format: CD / Label: Eone Records
Releasedatum: 29 september 2017

Tekst: Iain Patience

This is a simply wonderful album, truly excellent for the most part. Mitch Woods is a hugely talented, explosive pianist with a fine, strong tenor voice and a rollicking, rolling sense of fun at heart. As a central, core player on the Legendary Blues Cruise each year, Woods’ blues-jams have become the stuff of legend in themselves. And by grabbing a slice of him here at his best, it’s easy to see why.

It would be all too easy to view this release as a sort-of ‘various artists’ offering but that would be to miss out on the absolutely pivotal role played by Woods himself and his remarkably versatile keyboard chops. Guests on this album include just about everybody of note in the blues-world, including a few older cuts from the likes of the late John Lee Hooker. Add Van Morrison, Ruthie Foster, John Hammond, Maria Muldaur, Charlie Musselwhite, Joe Louis Walker, Taj Mahal, Cyril Neville, Kenny Neal, Elvin Bishop, James Cotton and Marcia Ball to the mix and you have a fair idea of the sheer quality to be found here.

In effect, we have a stunning release featuring some great, high-energy picks all grounded by Woods’ perfectly pitched and pushed piano-work. Little short of a masterpiece, this is a must-have album to add to any blues-lover’s collection.

Tracks:
01. Take This Hammer (feat. Van Morrison and Taj Mahal)
02. C C Rider (feat. Van Morrison and Taj Mahal)
03. Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket (feat. Elvin Bishop)
04. Singin’ The Blues (feat. Ruthie Foster)
05. Mother In Law Blues (feat. John Hammond)
06. Cryin’ For My Baby (feat. Charlie Musselwhite)
07. Nasty Boogie (feat. Joe Louis Walker)
08. Empty Bed Blues (feat. Maria Muldaur)
09. Bluesmobile (feat. Kenny Neil)
10. The Blues (feat. Cyril Neville)
11. Saturday Night Boogie Woogie Man (feat. Elvin Bishop)
12. Blues Gave Me A Ride (feat. Charlie Musselwhite)
13. Chicago Express (feat. James Cotton) [Previously released]
14. Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive (feat.John Lee Hooker) [Previously Released]
15. Midnight Hour Blues (feat. Van Morrison & Taj Mahal)
16. In The Night (feat. Marcia Ball)

Websirte: https://nl-nl.facebook.com/Mitch-Woods-123058811166686/


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