Sandy Mack - That's What I'm Talkin' Bout

Year: 2001
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:01
Size: 113,0 MB
Styles: Electric blues, harmonica blues
Scans: Full

1. Credit Risk (3:37)
2. How Long (3:46)
3. Game Is Over (6:41)
4. Keep Holdin' On A Baby (4:17)
5. Jump Swing Boogie (3:09)
6. Take A Step (5:28)
7. Love Confession (5:20)
8. Cadillac Baby (3:46)
9. Travelers Blues (4:49)
10. Loving A Stranger (4:41)
11. Coming Back Home (3:22)

A top Jersey harp blower, Sandy Mack has worked on the acclaimed Dennis Gruenling CD "Up All Night". He has been a front man for numerous East coast acts, honing his considerable talents. The bulk of the material on this CD is self-penned and features some excellent horn output from Joel Frahm and Carlos Francis.

The music here brings to mind James Cotton of the 70's, or even a later William Clarke influence. The guitar work is also exceptional, showing the influences of Guy and Collins. Jack Strobel's piano certainly adds some tasty portions and helps (along with many other things) to keep this from being just photocopied blues or blues-rock.

That's What I'm Talkin' Bout mc
That's What I'm Talkin' Bout zippy

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Sandy Mack - Still Going Strong

Year: 2009
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:45
Size: 133,2 MB
Styles: Electric blues, harmonica blues
Scans: Full

1. Drunked (5:29)
2. Never Enuff Rockin' (3:14)
3. Let's Work (2:59)
4. Life Boat (5:17)
5. It's My Life Baby (2:53)
6. Shake Dancer (2:44)
7. Get Right (2:59)
8. Turn My Luck Around (5:18)
9. Boogie Now (6:01)
10. Wondering (2:39)
11. Ghost Story (5:19)
12. Road Warrior (4:35)
13. That's Not Right! (3:31)
14. Love Explosion (4:39)

Mark Hummel, Rick Estrin, Dennis Gruenling, Steve Guyger, Bill Lupkin. Now add Sandy Mack to that list amongst some of the best contemporary harp players. This album is a completely fun affair. It'll make you want to get up and dance without a care in the world. The lyrics and the atmosphere it creates something you don't have to think about to enjoy. Kid Ramos joins in on six tracks and smokes as always behind Mack's swinging harmonica and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

A poor man's Estrin when it comes to cheeky lyrics, Mack dips and jives between swing, blues, loungy jazz, shuffles, and boogie-woogie rock to help keep you in the mood for toe-tapping enjoyment. Mack's harp produces some delicious tones that puts him in the aforementioned good company because he doesn't overplay and he phrases himself to fit the song and not blow it over.

His drunken jazz singer delivery (think of a trashed Dean Martin without the smooth vibratto) and masculine bravado, Mack's got a sure fire charm for singing. This one is a good Saturday night dance around your house affair that's sure to leave you smiling by disc's end.

Still Going Strong mc
Still Going Strong zippy

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