Mighty Sam McCLAIN - Sledgehammer Soul & Down Home Blues 1997

Mighty Sam McCLAIN - Sledgehammer Soul & Down Home Blues 1997

Blues

Great music combined with excellent audio quality on this Audioquest CD!One of Mighty Sam's best albums, and probably my best blues-CD besides "Keep On Movin'", also from him. The fantastic recording quality brings out his powerful voice and all nuances of modulation for one of the rare sound experiences that not too many productions are able to present us, unfortunately. Listen to Joe Golindo's blues trombone on track 2, to Bruce Katz's ecstatic piano "rumbling" in the lowest tones on the keyoard on track 5 "When the Hurt is Over", then you know what I mean. The band is an excellent companion for Mighty Sam, probably the best ensemble he had among all of his albums. Listen to his dialogue with the band on track 4 and track 11 "Bridge of Faith". It's a superb album - one that I never get tired of listening to!Finally a warning: it's not for background listening - you got to take your time to listen to this album and really enjoy it, but it's worth it.
**
Sam McClain was born in Louisiana in 1943. As a five year old, he began singing in his mother's Gospel Church. He left home when he was thirteen to escape an abusive stepfather and followed local R & B guitarist Little Melvin Underwood through the Chitlin Circuit. First as his valet and then as lead vocalist himself. While he was singing at the 506 Club in Pensacola, Florida he was introduced to Producer / DJ, "Papa Don" Schroeder. In 1966, Sam recorded Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams", his first real success. Several recording sessions at Muscle Shoals produced singles, "Fannie-Mae" and "In the Same Old Way", but his career never really took off. For fifteen years, first in Nashville, then in New Orleans Sam worked menial jobs and was forced to sell his plasma while he was homeless. Sam was offered a chance to tour and record in Japan in 1989. "Live In Japan", featuring legendary Wayne Bennett is a truly fine recording, much sought after by fans worldwide. By the early 1990's Sam networked his way to New England by way of his association with the Hubert Sumlin's Blues Party project (produced by Hammond Scott on Black Top). These friends provided encouragement and collaborations, which led to Joe Harley and AudioQuest Music. The results were these successful releases, "Give It Up To Love", "Keep On Movin", "Sledgehammer Soul and Down Home Blues", "Journey". ("New Man In Town" was used in the TV show Ally McBeal on FOX-TV). Sam signed on with the Telarc Blues label in 1999 and released two records before starting his own label in 2003, Mighty Music, and released, "One More Bridge To Cross".
**
Vocalist Mighty Sam McClain lends his gruff Bobby Bland-ish style to Sledgehammer Soul & Down Home Blues (AudioQuest 1042; 71:37). Backed by a capable group of blues scholars, including Bruce Katz on Hammond B-3 organ, Kevin Barry on guitar and a punchy four-piece horn section, McClain dishes out portions of gospel, country, funk, reggae, R&B and blues with a truckload of soul, but he's ultimately most affecting on confessional slow blues numbers like "When The Hurt Is Over (Maybe Love Will Flow)," "They Call Me Mighty" (his answer to "Stormy Monday") and "If You Could See." Deep, deep blues from the old school delivered with heartfelt conviction.
By Bill Milkowski.
**
01. Sledgehammer Soul & Downhome Blues
02. Where You Been So Long
03. Trying To Find Myself
04. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
05. When The Hurt Is Over
06. Pray
07. They Call Me 'Mighty'
08. Dancin' To The Music Of Love
09. Hey Miss Bea
10. If You Could See
11. Bridge Of Faith
12. Don't Write Me Off
**

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Mighty Sam McCLAIN - One More Bridge To Cross 2003

Mighty Sam McCLAIN - One More Bridge To Cross 2003

Blues

Once again, Mighty Sam McClain changes the face of the blues with his new album "One More Bridge To Cross". Released on his own label, Mighty Music, the CD has a fresh sound and focuses more on Sam's powerful and heart-breakingly beautiful voice.
**
When Mighty Sam released his album "One More Bridge To Cross" he described it as probably the high point of his career. Pleased to be in control of the whole thing - producer, writer, in the studio from beginning to end and with his own label and publishing company. As Sam says, "the buck stops here". For Sam this "new beginning" was a new dawn on his career following his decision to take complete control over his operation.
In a wide ranging interview with the Primer, Sam talks about the highs and lows of his recording career, the good and bad times in his life, and his delight with the way the album turned out.
**
Mighty Sam brings lyrics, rhythm, style, and guitar artistry together in a way that only a true blues man can do. One easily hears the influences of his early life in Louisiana filtered through soulful blues lenses. His songs involve emotional, relational struggles as one might expect of Sam MCClain. But he mixes in so many hopeful, inspirational, and even spiritual overtones into this repertoire. This CD grows on me each and every time I've listened to it. If you love the blues, and love it sung with heart and soul, you'll want to have this in your library.
By Douglas R. Parrish.
**
Mighty Sam McClain- (Vocals);
Chris Tofield- (Guitar);
Mark Paquin- (Saxophone, Trombone);
Trent Austin- (Trumpet);
Barry Seelen- (Keyboards);
Jim Arnold- (Drums).
**
01. Why Do We Have To Say Goodbye 5:17
02. Witness 4:28
03. Open Up Heaven's Door 3:51
04. If It Wasn't 4 Da Blues 5:38
05. Most Of All 4:47
06. Are You Ready For Love 4:25
07. Been There, Done That 6:00
08. What's Your Name 3:18
09. Thought I Heared Your Voice 4:37
10. The Other Man In The Band 6:23
11. Sweet Honey Bee 3:05
12. Don't Leave Me Behind 4:41
13. One More Bridge To Cross 6:42
**

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Mahsa VAHDAT and Mighty Sam McCLAIN - Scent Of Reunion, Love Duets Across Civilizations 2009

Mahsa VAHDAT and Mighty Sam McCLAIN - Scent Of Reunion, Love Duets Across Civilizations 2009

Blues

Scent of reunion, where the Norwegian guitar master Knut Reiersrud and a band of some of Norway's finest musicians joined by Mahsa Vahdat from Iran and the American blues singer Mighty Sam McClain to perform live the songs from the brand new record Scent of reunion: love duets across civilizations. This project is producer Erik Hillestad's latest effort in his series of recordings aimed at bridging political divides with music.
**
Love knows no boundaries. Nothing on earth can stop lovers from reaching out to each other. Differences in culture or faith cannot prevent them from attempting to unite across the barriers the world's political powers erect.
The new Album "Scent of Reunion" ( Love duets across civilications) will be  released by Kirkelig Kulturverksted on September sung by Mahsa Vahdat from Iran and Mighty Sam Mcclain from US .
Featured on the "Scent of Reunion" CD,  are Knut Reiersrud and Jarle Bernhoft arrangements, guitars and electrical piano. On double bass, vibraphone, piano and trumpet ? Mathias Eick, on drums ? Rune Arnesen and on the ney flute ? Pasha Hanjani from Tehran.
The Farsi Lyrics is by well known painter and poet Mohammah Ebrahim Jafari and English lyrics is by Norwegian poet and producor  Erik Hillestad .
One of the songs from the album (Silent song )  has been dedicated to all Nedas and Sohrabs in Iran .
**
01. Meditating Over A Photo  04:27                       
02. Imprints  06:49                       
03. Ambassador Of Hearts  06:00                       
04. So Blue  05:50]                        
05. Earth  05:50                        
06. Flowers No None Has Ever Se  05:34                       
07. Migratory Bird  05:06                        
08. Born  04:44                        
09. My Kingdom Is You  04:12                        
10. Silent Song  06:39
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Mighty Sam McCLAIN - Keep On Movin' 1995

Mighty Sam McCLAIN - Keep On Movin' 1995

Blues

Second Audioquest disc opens with a fine McClain original called "Can You Stand The Test Of Love", a breezy horn-blessed number with a confident vocal from the mighty one. He also had a role in the impressive horn arrangements here along with trumpeter Walter Platt. Real soul music is suppose to have horns and this album doesn't disappoint. The brooding "I'm So Lonely" features an especially noteworthy arrangement and the swingin' title track has some powerful blasts. Though this is mostly bluesy soul McClain doesn't shy away from his gospel roots on this album, covering the popular traditional "Lord Will Make A Way" and stamping each vocal performance with that deep tension between sacred/profane all great soul singers possess. Listen to how he reaches in and wrings the emotion out of "A Soul That's Been Abused" or the Bobby Bland-like "Don't Worry About Me". Very few singers today compare to Mighty Sam McClain.
**
McClain pours out his soul, but this album lacks the power evidenced on Give It Up to Love. The problem lies not with McClain, but with some of his supporting musicians. The closest cohesion exists between McClain and the musician on the title track, while "Who Made You Cry" has McClain sounding sympathetic and helpful to someone's plight, expertly complemented by Kevin Barry on guitar. However, the horn section extenuates the problems by cluttering up the arrangements and detracting from McClain's performance, while the Hammond B-3 lacks a nimble, crisp feel, and at times sounds buried in the mix.
By Char Ham. AMG. 
**
Kevin Barry- Guitar
Paul Bryan- Bass 
Joe Casano- Trumpet 
Zac Casher- Drums 
Ole Mathisen- Tenor Sax 
Mighty Sam McClain- Vocals
Walter Platt- Trumpet, Horn (Alto)
Scott Shetler- Tenor,Bariton Sax
**
01. Can You Stand The Test Of Love 5:04
02. I'm So Lonely 4:47
03. Lord Will Make A Way 4:47
04. Who Made You Cry 5:48
05. Hold On To The Dream 3:49
06. Don't Worry About Me 7:07
07. Keep On Movin' 4:04
08. A Soul That's Been Abused 6:57
09. I'm Sorry 4:39
10. Let's Have Some Fun 2:54
11. This Is All I Have To Say 4:26
**

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