Tomislav Goluban - Express Connection

Tomislav Goluban - Express Connection - Blue Heart Records

A new album by the Croatian blues singer and harmonica player Tomislav Goluban has him playing outside the blues in a recording that is as much Americana as blues. Goluban wrote the nine originals, and there is a cover of a Lou Reed song. He is backed by guitarist Jeff Jensen (who co-produced this recording with Goluban, David Green on drums, Rick Staff on keyboards, and Bill Ruffino on bass. Also heard on this album are vocalist Kelly Zirbes, slide guitarist Mark Johnson, saxophonist Kirk Smothers, trumpeter Marc Franklin, and Joseph Franher, who contributes backing vocals to one selection. 

Goluban is an accomplished harmonica player with a swinging style, a big tone, and a marvelous sense of tonal dynamics. His gravelly vocals have a limited range, and his phrasing sometimes sounds stilted. Still, there is an honest quality about them. All ten songs are well played, starting with the title track, a high-energy instrumental taken at a blistering tempo that showcases his formidable harp technique. With horns added, "Used to Be Someone" might evoke Paul Butterfield's horn band, and Goluban does exhibit a bit more emotion in his singing. Kelly Zirbes' strong backing vocals boost this performance. Mark Johnson's slide guitar provides atmosphere on the Lou Reed cover, "Pale Blue Eyes."

Zirbes takes a strong vocal on the driving country-rocker, "Shoestring Blues," a song that sounds like a 21st take on the classic country truck driving songs. It is followed by a swinging instrumental, "Extra Boom." This shuffle is a tribute to Goluban's harmonica hero, Little Walter, with Staff taking a greasy organ solo. Jensen displays his considerable technique and taste here as well. Things head to New Orleans with Staff laying down some Professor Longhair-styled piano. It is an amusing duet between Goluban and Zirbes followed by a swampy blues-pop "Bite Me Like a Snake" with Johnson's keen slide guitar. 

With the horns riffing, the album closes with another harmonica instrumental, "Beast Walk." Taken at a relaxed pace, Steff's organ and Jensen's tasteful wah-wah guitar each get a chorus before Goluban displays a more acoustic side to his harmonica playing, and the horn players trade fours. Tomislav Goluban may be a limited vocalist, but his straightforward singing, exceptional harmonica playing, and top-notch backing provide a definite appeal for blues and roots listeners.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is the official video for this album.

Mick Kolassa Blind Lemon Sessions

Mick Kolassa
Blind Lemon Sessions
Endless Blues Records

Mick Kolassa explains in the liner notes to his new recording that it began when he was invited to perform in Germany by the head of Blind Lemon Records. He recorded a few songs for a compilation album and others, including the present recording, which is named after the label. This all-acoustic recording allowed him to record some favorite blues, as well as some other songs, including a couple of originals. He plays various guitars, ukulele, banjolele, and percussion in addition to his vocals. Others present include David Dunavent on slide guitar, banjo and percussion, Seth Hill or Bill Ruffino on bass, Eric Hughes on harmonica, and Alice Hansen on violin.

Kolassa may not be a deep blues artist, but he is a genial singer in a folk-blues vein. Think of Dave van Ronk, but instead of van Ronk's steel wool textured singing, Kolassa vocals are more like cotton balls. There is a friendly warmth whether he revives Lonnie Johnson's "Jelly Roll Baker," or his original "Text Me Baby," where he asks his baby to light up his telephone. This is simple music with Hansen's violin enhancing the mood on this song, the string band flavored "Keep On Truckin'," and the traditional "St. James Infirmary." Other tracks include ironic humor to "I Want To Be Seduced," and the charming treatment of Taj Mahal's "Cake Walk Into Town," with nice fingerpicking guitar.

Other performances include a delightful cover of Blind Blake's "Ditty Wah Diddy," a reflective interpretation of The Beatles' "Help Me," and his contemplative original folk song, "The Space Between Us." If not very deep blues, there is still plenty of appeal in these amiable performances.

I received my review copy from a publicist. While not from this cd, here is Mick Kolassa performing the old Box Tops hit, "The Letter."