Live My Life
Dr Sam Records
A fixture on the Nashville music scene, singer, guitarists and songwriter Stacy Mitchhart has a new recording "Live My Life" (Dr. Sam Records) that clearly establishes that their is far more to the music scene in Music City than simply country. Mitchhart wrote most of the 11 selections on this recording with a few choice covers and on this his vocals and guitars is mostly supported by Michael Dearing on bass guitar, Darin James on drums, James Tipton on keyboards and harmonica, Cory Distefano on trumpet, Jules Caldarena on saxophone and John Hinchey on trombone.
Mitchhart has put together quite an engaging, diverse set of performances that are marvelously played. Mitchhart's vocals are suggestive of Delbert McClinton with an appealing touch of raspiness. His delivery of lyrics are solid as well and his writing produces its share of gems such as the opening "Drink Whiskey" where he sings about drinking whiskey not to forget but rather to remember why "I ain't with you." While the groove is a bit to heavy for personal taste, there are plenty of nice tastes such as saxophonist Caldarena's phrases and Mitchhart contributes a slashing solo. In contrast, the rollicking slide guitar (sort of a frenzied Fred McDowell) gospel setting of "Live My Life" he shouts he will live as he chooses and not how we want him do as Tipton adds some down home harp for this blues hoe down.
While the promotional material highlights a cover of the Beatles' "Come Together," it is a rendition of a lesser known Bill Withers song, "Better Off Dead" that is the disc's highpoint as he sings about how his drinking caused his wife and children to leave him and he's better off dead as he's too scared to live alone. He conveys quite an emotional wallop singing against a swampy-guitar backing. Also nicely done is the smooth funk of Gil Scott Heron's "Legend In His Own Mind," with nice jazz-inflected guitar. Other standout selections include "I'm the Reason (She Walks That Way)," a celebration of his relation with his lady. This selection sports some marvelous horn solos. "Soul Stroll" is a marvelous instrumental with a solid groove and Mitchhart and Tipton (on organ) shining on an tune that sounds like a homage to Booker T & the MGs.
"Live My Life" is a recording of blues, soul and roots that will travel far from Stacy Mitchhart's Nashville home with its strong musicianship, nuanced and soulful singing and excellent material.
I believe a publicist sent me a review copy. This review originally appeared in the July-August 2015 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 361). Here Stacy performs "Come Together."
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