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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."
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