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Oh boy! I have been playing this CD almost
non-stop for almost two weeks and I jut can't get enough.
This is a compilation of live performances
of Merl and his "friends," spanning the years from
1990 to 1996, and covering such venues like Wetlands in NYC and
the House of Blues in LA. Some of the "friends" include
John Popper, Dr. John, Trey Anastasia, and Jerome Garcia (Jerome
who?). THAT Jerome.
The liner notes in the CD include some
insights on how each of the tracks came to life. Merl summarizes
it in a very simple way. "This whole CD was a first take-that's
what separates the men from the boys." Right on! I could
not have said it better.
Each of the tracks has its own little story.
Each one is very special to Merl, and you just have to listen
to realize that yes, this is a very special piece of work.
My favorites?
"You Can Leave Your Hat On" and
"Built For comfort" have John Popper, with some of
the most memorable harmonica playing I've heard in ages. Both
are textbook examples of what the blues really sound and feel
like, and an excellent choice for somebody that is new to the
genre. "I Put A Spell On You" is the best performance
of the Jay Hawkins masterpiece that I've heard since "Creedence
Clearwater Revival's" cover version.
This is a great CD, no matter what your
musical tastes are. The music that you'll hear in these 10 tracks
represents a legacy, and its influence can be traced down to
most contemporary performers of this day. Merl has been touring
and recording for 35 years, and he plays and sounds like he just
started.
Oh, by the way, if you don't recognize
Jerome Garcia, his friends liked to call him Jerry.
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