Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Live From Centennial Park-Atlanta 1996

Jack Mack & The Heart Attack
Live From Centennial Park-Atlanta 1996
Free Roll Records

Jack Mack & The Heart Attack are veterans of the LA scene with a classic Memphis-Muscle Shoals soul sound that undoubtedly was this he backdrop for many a party. This recording was memorialized when they performed at Centennial Park in Atlanta as part of the Atlanta Olympics cultural celebrations. It is a performance cut off abruptly at the end by the sound of an explosion as a pipe bomb went off near the stage, killing one person and injuring 111. The CD is being released at the same time, the movie "Richard Jewell," about the security guard wrongfully accused of being the bomber. Two of the songs from this recording are used in the Clint Eastwood film.

The personnel of Jack Mack & The Heart Attack in 1996 included Andrew Kastner (guitar and vocals), Bill Bergman (tenor sax and vocals), John Paruolo (Hammond B-3 and vocals), Lester Lovitt (Trumpet and vocals), Tim Scott (bass and vocals), TC Moses (lead vocals) and Alvino Bennett (drums). There is not much to say about the music here other than it is exceptionally played soul and R&B of the period. Moses was a powerful singer that night, and the band provided robust sympathies backing starting from the cover of the Dyke and the Blazers funky "(We Got) More Soul" to the sweet soul of the band's original "I Walked Alone" that closes this recording. Standout tracks include an inspired rendition of The Staples' "Respect Yourself," and a funky treatment of James Brown's "Sex Machine" (where tenor saxophonist Bergman takes a fiery solo and Paruolo quotes the Wide World of Sports theme in his Hammond B-3 solo), and a spectacular medley of Sly and The Family Stone songs.

Add in Band originals that fit right in with the covers, and one has one terrific performance documented by this superb recording, although the act of domestic terrorism put a damper at the event.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the January-February Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 388) although a couple stylistic changes and corrections have been made. Here is "(We Got) More Soul" from this performance.

Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns Back to the Shack

Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns
Back to the Shack

Jack Mack & the Heart Attack Horns are veterans of the LA scene with a classic Memphis-Muscle Shoals soul sound. with New Orleans native Mark Campbell handling the vocals, on this new recording the backing includes Tony Braunagel on drums, Andrew Kastner on guitars, Bruce Atkinson on bass guitar, and Carlos Murguia on keyboards with an impressive horn section that includes Les Lovitt on trumpet, Bill Bergman on saxophones. Special guest Lee Thornburg arranges the horns and is on trumpet and trombone on 'Aint No Way" while Mike Finnigan adds his Hammond B-3 and vocal to “Somethin’ In The Water.” Nine of the ten tracks are originals with the exception being Carolyn Franklin's “Ain’t No Way,” that Aretha originally waxed for her "Lady Soul" album.

Andrew Kastner, an original Jack Mack member plays the hard-edged, screaming guitar on the opening track “Standin’ Before The King,” a tribute to the B.B. King with an impassioned vocal from Campbell with Melanie Taylor adding her voice. "Something in the Water" is a funky number with Finnigan adding his voice to enhance Campbell's lead. The medium tempo easy rocker "Don't Let Her Go," is some soulful advice with punchy horns and Bergman's strong booting sax solo. The driving groove of the bluesy "Never Too Late," is followed by a lovely bluesy ballad "Somebody To Trust," with Finnigan again guesting on Hammond B-3 while Campbell displays his range as his voice soars here.

"Serves Me Right" is a terrific number that evokes Muscles Shoals in the backing and horns, while the funky JB's feel of "Bad Habit," should get listeners up and dancing. The lilting ballad, "Change My Ways," which opens with Bergman's sax, like "Never Too Late," exhibits the warmth in which Campbell can put forth a lyric and then after this Memphis sounding gem, we get another gem with his heartfelt delivery of the Franklin song. The closing rocker, "Let Me In," is a bit frenzied perhaps, but the backing is tight and the breakneck tempo doesn't phase Campbell's singing.

Mark Campbell is a terrific singer that suggests Otis Redding, Joe Tex and Wilson Pickett but places his own stamp on the songs here. The backing is terrific and the recording is excellent. This is an impressive album full of soulful music.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video of Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns.