R.J. MISCHO - Gonna Rock Tonight 1996

R.J. MISCHO - Gonna Rock Tonight 1996
Label: Blue Loon
Recorded over three sessions spanning from December 1991 through November 1993,
First released in 1994 and was re-issued in 1998

Blues

R.J. (Robert) Mischo began singing and playing harmonica in the Minneapolis area in the late '70s. He played with the blues heavyweights of that area and timeframe such as Muddy Waters sideman Mojo Buford, Percy Strother, and Milwaukee Slim. R.J. also fronted several of his own bands, including Blues Deluxe and R.J. & Kid Morgan Blues Band (which featured guitarist Teddy Morgan and singer Percy Strother). His 1992 album with that band, Ready to Go, won praises far and near and still has an unmatched magic about it. Mischo was nominated for several Minnesota Music Academy Awards while in Minneapolis, and in 1996, he won the award for Best Harmonica Player. In 1994 he released Gonna Rock Tonight. After a few tours of Europe, he re-formed the band and called it R.J. Mischo and His Red Hot Blues Band. Rough and Tough and Cool Disposition were recorded before Mischo departed for San Francisco in 1998. He recorded West Wind Blowin' there the following year. He and his band make regular appearances in the bay area and also tour the U.S. and Europe.
By Ann Wickstrom, All Music Guide.
**
R.J. Mischo resurrects the glory days of '50s Chicago harp-playing on his Blue Loon album, Gronna Rock Tonight.
By Earl Simmons, All Music Guide.
**
R.J. Mischo- (Vocals & Harp),
Teddy "Kid" Morgan- (Guitar),
Bruce McCabe- (Piano),
Bill Black- (Bass),
Robb Stupka- (Drums).
Also:
Jeff Hester- (Guitar),
John Schroder- (Guitar)
Dave Larson- (Drums).
**
01. Always Late  3.56
02. Kept Hanging On  4.07
03. Voodoo Voodo  2.19
04. I Got A Feeling  3.57
05. Judgment Day  3.50
06. 41st Street Roll  4.41
07. I Got Lucky  3.02
08. Rooster Blues  3.04
09. Wildcat Tamer  3.04
10. I Got A Good Woman  5.20
11. Rocket Boogie  3.10
12. Bye Bye Bird  2.47
**
NoPassword
*
DLink
*

R.J. MISCHO - West Wind Blowin' 1999

R.J. MISCHO - West Wind Blowin' 1999
Label:  Crosscut

Blues

Chicago Blues is one of the hardest styles to make a name for yourself in. Immensely popular since the 1950's, the genre has attracted thousands of practioners. On the harmonica there are literally hundreds of Little Walter imitators and standing out in the crowd really takes some doing.
RJ Mischo was living in Minneapolis when he had the opportunity to see Muddy Waters in concert. The event was life-changing for Mischo and since that time he's made it his quest to perfect the Chicago sound. Surrounding himself with other Blues practioners Mischo leads his band with an impressive amount of authority. His harmonica playing shows that he has studied the masters and has mastered the art of Chicago-style harmonica playing. The songs on this CD are impressive and definitely fit well into the library of Chicago Blues recordings.
This CD is definitely worth listening to.
By Peter Krampert.
**
Minneapolis native, R.J. Mischo began playing the harmonica more than 20 years ago and has gained a reputation as one of the best interpreters of classic Chicago blues harmonica. During his days in Minnesota R.J. played with most of the Twin Cities’ blues legends including Mojo Buford, Sonny Rogers, Percy Strother and Milwaukee Slim. After forming his own band R.J. was introduced to audiences worldwide when he and guitarist Teddy Morgan began playing as the RJ & Kid Morgan Blues Band featuring Percy Strother. In 1992 they released their critically acclaimed "Ready To Go" album on Blue Loon Records. That album was followed in 1994 with "Gonna Rock Tonight." With band personnel changes, R.J. formed R.J. Mischo and his Red Hot Blues Band and quickly became one of the regions top blues acts, winning several Minnesota Music Academy Awards including the award for Best Harmonica Player in 1996. After several successful tours of Europe, R.J. Mischo and his Red Hot Blues Band recorded 2 more CD’s, "Rough ‘N’ Ready" (1996), and "Cool Disposition" (1997), on the prestigious German label, Crosscut Records. In 1998 R.J. moved to San Francisco and began performing regularly in the Bay area as well as touring extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. R.J.’s newest release, "West Wind Blowin’" (1999) features more of his robust harp playing with guest appearances by Rusty Zinn and Steve Freund. Whether R.J. Mischo is playing down-and-dirty, back-alley-blues or supercharged West Coast jump he always delivers some of the best blues harmonica playing found anywhere today.
**
For many years, R.J. used to live in Minneapolis.
Two years ago he moved to California, and that's where his new one was recorded. It sounds a little rougher than the last one. In the spotlight are R.J.'s superb harp technique, but also the collaboration of two fine guitarists. Mischos fat and low tone builds a nice contrast to Zinn's elegant guitar phrasing, and Freund's Chicago style picking. This is another great one from R.J.!
 R.J. Mischo, Rusty Zinn, Steve Freund, Johnny Ace, Walter Shufflesworth.
**
01. Money Back Guarantee (3:09)
02. RJ Get Up! Milk That Cow (2:23)
03. Watch Out (3:15)
04. What I Got To Have (3:53)
05. West Winds Are Blowing (3:38)
06. Bit Off More Than I Could Chew (4:39)
07. Goat Whiskers (3:00)
08. Goin' In Your Direction (2:57)
09. Jelly Sellin' Woman (5:33)
10. I Feel So Good (4:51)
11. Courtin' In a Cadillac (2:13)
12. Miss Heidi Ho (3:55)
13. It's My Life (5:07)
14. How Much More (4:16)
15. South City Fog (3:51)
**
NoPassword
*
DLink
*

R.J. MISCHO - Cool Disposition 1997

R.J. MISCHO - Cool Disposition 1997
Label: Crosscut
Audio CD (May 31, 1997)

Blues

Minneapolis native, R.J. Mischo began playing the harmonica more than 20 years ago and has gained a reputation as one of the best interpreters of classic Chicago blues harmonica. During his days in Minnesota R.J. played with most of the Twin Cities’ blues legends including Mojo Buford, Sonny Rogers, Percy Strother and Milwaukee Slim. After forming his own band R.J. was introduced to audiences worldwide when he and guitarist Teddy Morgan began playing as the RJ & Kid Morgan Blues Band featuring Percy Strother. In 1992 they released their critically acclaimed "Ready To Go" album on Blue Loon Records. That album was followed in 1994 with "Gonna Rock Tonight." With band personnel changes, R.J. formed R.J. Mischo and his Red Hot Blues Band and quickly became one of the regions top blues acts, winning several Minnesota Music Academy Awards including the award for Best Harmonica Player in 1996. After several successful tours of Europe, R.J. Mischo and his Red Hot Blues Band recorded 2 more CD’s, "Rough ‘N’ Ready" (1996), and "Cool Disposition" (1997), on the prestigious German label, Crosscut Records. In 1998 R.J. moved to San Francisco and began performing regularly in the Bay area as well as touring extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe. R.J.’s newest release, "West Wind Blowin’" (1999) features more of his robust harp playing with guest appearances by Rusty Zinn and Steve Freund. Whether R.J. Mischo is playing down-and-dirty, back-alley-blues or supercharged West Coast jump he always delivers some of the best blues harmonica playing found anywhere today.
From Blues On Stage.
**
A major step forward, recorded in Chicago by Jerry Hall.
R.J. was supported by his fat-toned guitar player Jeremy Johnson, Barrelhouse Chuck on piano, his old partner Billy Black on upright bass, and Richard Innes, original member of the Hollywood Fats Band on drums.
A very intense recording, a showcase not only for R.J. and his harmonica, but also giving Jeremy room to move.
R.J. wrote most of the songs himself. Highly recommended to all lovers of great harmonica driven blues, the kinda blues Little Walter or William Clarke used to play. Beautiful digi-pack edition.
From Crosscut.
**
R.J. Mischo– Harmonica, Vocals
Jeremy Johnson– Guitars
Barrelhouse Chuck– Grand Piano
Billy Black– Bbass
Richard Innes– Drums
Special guest:
Nick Moss– Lead Guitar
**
01.(Everybody's) In The Mood 2:50
02.I Should Be Dead 3:58
03.Cold Hearted Woman 4:43
04.Get Your Money 3:51
05.Second Wind 4:02
06.Love My Baby 3:48
07.Taste Of My Own Medicine 4:56
08.Main Street Strut 5:56
09.Little Village 4:01
10.A-OK  3:46
11.Don't Bring A Friend 4:47
12.Skinny Woman 3:56
13.High Maintenance Woman 3:48
14.Dangerous Boy 3:34
15.Travellin' Al Day 3:20
**
NoPassword
*
DLink
*