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The tribute/appreciation part of the album is for the late Blues Singer/Harmonica Player Gary Primich, whom tragically passed away September 23, 2007 and features five of his songs including two that were previously unrecorded. Gary Primich's association with Hank Mowery came by way of invite "different acts from around the country to “join” The Hawktones for an evening to add excitement and show off talented performers he had come to know over the years". “The Hawktones” have included many greats including Doug Deming, Dennis Gruenling, Nick Moss, and the legendary Gary Primich, to name just a very few. "Account To Me" was not only a Hank Mowery project, it was a project that had the full collaboration of the family of Gary Primich. "Account To Me" consists of ten tracks, five as previously mentioned, are Gary Primich originals with the remaining five including a couple of songs by Hank Mowery, a new song from Patrick Recob, whom plays Bass on this album and whom was also the Bassist for Gary Primich, and a couple of covers, one of Memphis Slim's called "Banana Oil" and one of Rev. Robert Wilkins' called "That's No Way To Get Along". In addition to Hank Mowery (Vocals/Harmonica) and Patrick Recob (Bass/Vocals/Acoustic Guitar), "Account To Me" also featured artists Troy Amaro (Guitar), Chris Corey (Piano/B3 & Wurlitzer Organs), John Large (Drums/Percussion), Jimmie Stagger (Vocals/National/Guitar), and Junior Valentine (2nd Guitar on Various Tracks). In addition to Patrick Recob's musical and vocal work on "Account To Me", he also was the albums Associate Producer. Thorough and informative liner notes are always a welcome treat on any well thought out CD packaging and "Account To Me" has some of the best, which were put together by Gary's longtime friend Tad Robinson, also a mighty fine Vocalist and Harp player. In addition to a wonderful write up about Gary Primich, the liner notes also contains wonderfully detailed info on each and every Track on "Account To Me". The highly respected and sought after Kate Moss, of Moonshine Design, (not the model), was responsible for the great design work. "Account To Me" gets the party rolling with "Spend A Little Time With Me", a really nice fast tempo number written by Mowery and Recob. One of the interesting things about this Track is the fact that there is no Guitar, which did not detract from the song in the least, in fact I found it quite unique sounding. The next Track up is the first of two previously unrecorded tunes, and the title Track "Account To Me". This song was handed to Mowery via JV Primich, Gary's dad and Executive Producer of this album. It is a slow soulful ballad, done in 6/8 timing which was actually quite popular with Elvis, Percy Sledge, and a young John Lennon, whom all loved this type of ballad. The song certainly strikes a familiar cord, as "the singer requests the ultimate gift from his lover: honesty". This is a beautiful song, sung wonderfully via Hank Mowery, with Recob on Acoustic Guitar, Chris Corey on Piano, Troy Amaro on Guitar, and John Large on Drums. The other unreleased song was Track 6 "Tricky Game", "a song about 'the every-changing rules of relationships", where the "math just doesn't add up". This song is done in a Piano forward style with a flavor of New Orleans touched slightly with a Rhumba beat. This particular tune is considered to be Gary's hallmark style, "a blues hybrid with a melody you can hang your hat on and a clever lyric". Another unique style that Gary made a career out of was offered up via the first cover on "Account To Me", Track 5 "Banana Oil", a Memphis Slim instrumental composition. Lots of great Drum, Piano, and Harp work on this Latin infused beauty. Track 7 "My Home", a Gary Primich original, offers us a great "Straight-Up, Smokin' Blues Shuffle" that Mowery does a wonderful job with, both Vocally and on Harp. Junior Valentine gets in on the action, as well, with some great Guitar work. "My Home" was my favourite song on "Account To Me'. "Account To Me", closes the set with the Rev. Robert Wilkins composition, "That's No Way To Get Along". This has Jimmie Stagger stepping in and doing a wonderful job as Vocalists, as well as, playing a mean National Guitar, and as throughout the album, Hank Mowery, played some more fantastic Harp. This one was a really good closer for this extraordinary album. I have had the opportunity to listen to a fair number of Tribute albums over the last few years and although one might say that this one goes even farther beyond the scope of simply being a Tribute album, it never the less, pays an amazing homage to an amazing artist. JV Primich, Hank Mowery, and all the other amazing contributors on "Account To Me", have shown us all, that they have put nothing less than all their heart into this lasting legacy of dedication for Gary Primich. 5***** Highly Recommended and Thoroughly Enjoyed... Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
Listen To Samples Here... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hankmowery1 Additional Artist Info... http://www.hankmowery.com/
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Just received Hank Mowery's newest release, "Account To Me", and I must say I was pretty impressed, not only with the album, but also the concept of it, being part tribute/appreciation and part regular album.