Mike Whellans - Almost 42nd Street...

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Scottish bluesman Mike Whellans has plenty of folk music credentials, so he's right at home on Temple Records, but anyone who's heard him play knows that the blues are where his heart lies. 'Almost 42nd Street...' is his second release on the label, and the album succesfully captures some of the good-time energy of this 'one man blues band' as he follows in the footsteps of forerunners such as the late, great, Duster Bennett.

Recorded very simply, with minimal overdubs, Mike effectively performs live in the studio; singing, playing guitar, bass drum, hi-hat and harmonica. In addition, the 'one-man-blues-band' gets a helping hand on three of the numbers from the barrelhouse piano of Graham Scott.

Features five Whellans original tracks, plus numbers by John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon, Slim Harpo, Hudson Whittaker (Tampa Red), Keb Mo, Woody Gutherie, J.B. Hutto, Willie McTell.


"This superb album highlights how Mike has progressed and in doing so refined his Blues sound"
Blues Matters

"...these rough hewn classics and originals about shakin' hips and blowin' curfews sound more Maxwell Street, Chicago than Main Street, Lauder, and his vocal percussion solo, 'smile on your face', will deliver exactly what it says"
The Glasgow Herald

"...featuring mainly songs in praise of the opposite sex and a hefty proportion of honky-tonk swagger and boogie-woogie drive in the mix, this is the blues to set you smilin'..."
Sunday Herald

"...a blues stunner from start to finish..."
Maverick



Track list:
1. Jammin' The Blues 2. Strange Love 3. Ragtime Joe 4. No Baby No 5. Am I Wrong 6. When The Curfew Blows 7. Meet Me At The Bottom 8. Jumping In The Neighbourhood 9. Hip Shakin' 10. Warm It Up To Me 11. Ready Steady Freddie 12. Baby What Do You Want Me To Do? 13. I'm In The Mood (live) 14. Smile On Your Face 


Artists on this release: 
Mike Whellans (vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums and percussion)
&
Graham Scott (piano on tracks 1, 4 and 9)


Further Information:  
Label: Temple Records
Released: 2003

Engineered by Robin Morton & Ewan MacGregor
Produced by Robin Morton

Temple Records Catalogue Number:    
CD - COMD 2092
Download - DD 2092


Video:
'Mike Whellans live at The Wynd Theatre, Melrose, 2006'

 

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