Cascade Blues Music Reviews

Blues, Cars, & Electric Guitars

The Jim Mesi Band

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Music Review Reprint from the
September, 2001 BluesNotes
By The KT

Blues, Cars, & Electric Guitars by the Jim Mesi Band

    Ahhhh...  Just when you thought it was safe...  They've done it again!   Just when it looks like it can't get any better, it did.  Jim Mesi and the Band recently released this CD about Blues, Cars, and Electric Guitars.  The cover photo features Mesi being spanked by Officer Judy.  The photo art alone, in this little book, is worth the price. This release includes Jim Mesi, "The Italian Chainsaw", on electric guitar and pedal steel guitar; Jim Solberg on bass and vocals; Ed Neuman on keyboards, Hammond B3 and vocals; and Justin Matz on drums and vocals (Fran Christina, look out!).  The liner Notes are by John Foyston, who ought to know better and does. The crew of "Mitch, Lonnie, and Tom" are also pictured.  This CD was produced by Mr. Mesi himself, and recorded at Rowell Audio by Engineer Doug (Moon Baby) Rowell.  I hope that means some kind of hubcap.

    "Blues, Cars, And Electric Guitars" offers 15 songs, of which I'll tell you about a few of them. "Dangerous Mood" is a slow Blues grinder that runs a satisfying seven minutes and 15 seconds.  I think the 15 seconds is the break toward the end.  Something new.  One of my favorite tunes is "Come On If You're Comin'"' and this is the definitive version.  Kim Wilson once said that the longevity of a band is assured by having full vocals. Mesi says he doesn't sing, but I wouldn't be .surprised if his voice was in the mix somewhere.  Another very cool tune is "Blue Light Boogie". Now, in case you've never quite understood this number, the band explains it to you. You need to listen.  Note that all the guys in the tune seem to know how to get a girl.

    I listened to the tune, "Too Much Stuff" while driving home from Safeway where I had bought some Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream, and no, I'm not eating too much stuff.  It's part of my stress relief program.  I moved recently and emptied out my old storage locker; some stuff was packed for 10 years.  I am still unpacking, And, no, I do NOT have too much stuff. If you really loved me, you'd "know".

    Number 12 is "Who's Foolin' Who?"  Yes, this is the all-time soul-fudge tune done by Bobby Bland.  Another candidate for the blue light boogie.  The intro to "Me And Mr. Blue " will twist your head sideways. I  can't tell if it includes background vocals or not . It's too spooky, this one.  The last cut is "Norwegian Wood".  Amazing.  Jim Mesi is on pedal steel and Billy Randolph and Dub Debrie are on acoustic guitars.  You have never strolled through this forest, but this tune will take you there.

    I could rave on and on, but I will close here. If any of Jim Mesi's work was known globally, which it is, this new CD, "Blues, Cars, And Electric Guitars" is a gem that will be in demand on the worldwide market.

 

© 2001 Cascade Blues Association