Mike Whellans - Fired-Up & Ready
Mike Whellans is the real thing, a keeper of the one-man blues band flame that burned so passionately in the work of this highly specialised form’s masters, including Doctor Isaiah Ross, Jesse Fuller and Whellans’ great British forerunner, Tony ‘Duster’ Bennett. Like all true bluesmen and women, when Whellans sings and plays, he means it. He can set a scene of darkness and foreboding as the Boogie Man lurks, play twelve-string guitar in the grand driving blues tradition to propel his Winding Track, and sing of hugging his baby’s deserted pillow so that you really feel his loss.
The one-man blues band is self-sufficient, of course, but as with Bennett, Whellans can call on other musicians to expand his palette and yet retain the spirit of individuality that is his major strength – even when guests such as David Bromberg have recorded their parts on different continents. If you’re already familiar with Whellans, you’ll know to expect blues that’s fired up and ready. But if this is your introduction, prepare to hear a talent who’s not only his own man as a singer, guitarist and ace blues harpist, he’s his own rhythm section, too.
ROB ADAMS
'...one of Scotland's heroes, a bluesman of amazing ability...a totally brilliant one man band.'
Mike Harding, BBC Folk & Acoustic
'... Britain's foremost 'one-man' blues band...an uplifting album by a Scottish master'
Scotland on Sunday
'...just about the best time you can have while staying within the bounds of decency....The newly converted Seasick Steve fans should make this top notch treat their next discovery and I can't recommend it highly enough'
Zeitgeist Review
'If he was American he would probably be hailed as a folk hero and ride to gigs in the back of a freight train ...a man that knows his craft and really puts his heart, soul and everything into his blues.'
Fatea
'...packing a blinding array of material into these 53 minutes. The breathless rush as riff follows boogie on it's way to feelgood factor is often exhilarating... Engaging, well-crafted & rockin', the album's a blast throughout.'
The Living Tradition
01 Fired Up And Ready 02 The Boogie Man 03 Going To My Home Town 04 I Want To Hug You 05 Danger Man II 06 Early In The Morning 07 Winding Track 08 Diving Duck Blues 09 Red Hot Kisses 10 Lonesome Road 11 Worried Mind 12 Nobody’s Fault But Mine / Jack 0’ Diamond 13 Pinetop Moon / Sandy Cameron Bonus live tracks: 14 Ragtime Joe 15 Strange Love
Artists on this album:
Mike Whellans (guitar, harmonica, drums & vocals)
is joined by
David Bromberg (guitar)
Mike Katz (bass & highland bagpipe)
Peter Meaney (tenor sax)
Brian Miller (mandolin)
Alan Reid (hammond organ)
Graham Scott (piano)
Alasdair White (fiddle)
Further Information:
Label: Temple Records
Released in 2008
Temple Records Catalogue Number:
CD - COMD 2101
Download - DD 2101
Produced by Robin Morton
Engineered by Ewan MacGregor & Robin Morton
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