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Blues Underground Network Liz Mandeville "Clarksdale" (USA) |
 Liz Mandeville's "Clarksdale" may be her fifth album, but it is really a new beginning as her first album on her own newly created label, Blue Kitty Music. Starting her own label was suggested to Liz by her good friend Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, whom also said he would help her with, and certainly did. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith never did get to see "Clarksdale" as a final product, as he sadly and suddenly passed away as it was being recorded. He did however make it onto 5 of the Tracks, playing Drums on all 5 and Harp on 2. "Clarksdale" is dedicated to the memory of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith.
"Clarksdale" consists of 11 Tracks, all Liz Mandeville originals, which are mainly Blues, mixed nicely with a few other nice styles. In addition to Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, the other great musicians on "Clarksdale", on various Tracks, included Darryl Wright (Bass), Leandro Lopez-Varady (Piano), Donna Herula (Slide Guitar), Eddie Shaw (Tenor Sax), Jim Godsey (Bass/Drums), and Nick Moss (Guitar). Slide Guitarists Donna Herula played with Liz as a Duo in the 2012 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where they made it to the Semi-Finals. Eddie Shaw and Nick Moss also previously worked with Liz, with Eddie performing on one of Liz's Albums, "Red Top" and Nick "who once played Bass in Liz and Willie Smith's bands".
The inspiration for "Clarksdale" came from a 2010 visit to Clarksdale, Mississippi, where she soaked in as much of the Deep South as she could, which included, staying in the Muddy Waters room at the legendary Riverside Hotel, where Bessie Smith passed after being involved in a car accident, in 1937, when the Hotel building was originally a Hospital.
"Clarksdale" starts off with a fun 19 second intro with friendly banter going on between Liz, Willie, and Darryl, which then leads into the first Track, "Roadside Produce Stand" a bit of a Swinging Boogie Blues number. Nice Harp work from Willie and great Bass from Darryl.
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's great Drum beat gets really noticed on Track 2, "Mama And Daddy Blues". Liz plays some mighty fine Guitar on this number which is really featured nicely starting at around the 1:20 mark.
I don't hear to many Blues a capella's, so it was nice to hear Liz do one with Track 3, "No Fear/Everything", a song done with nothing but a pure deep love and feeling of the old Delta Blues. Fabulous.
Track 4, "Walking And Talking With You" is the other song in which Willie shows off his fine Harp work. This one was a real nice Blues Shuffle, with Liz once again digging deep on her Guitar. Liz also switched up her Voice a bit on this one, sounding a bit more nasally, which worked well for this song.
The Piano takes center stage on Track 6, "Clarksdale/Riverside Hotel Blues". Leandro Lopez-Varady really tickles the old ivories on this one.
Slide Guitarist Donna Herula plays on three of the Tracks of which I enjoyed her playing the most on Track 7, "Bye Bye Blues", a nice lazy laid back number.
Track 8, "Sweet Potatoe Pie", is an edgy fast paced number highlighted with great Sax work from Eddie Shaw.
"Clarksdale" finishes off with a fun jumping rockin' song called, "My Mama Wears Combat Boots". Nick Moss gets in some fine Lead Guitar work on this one, along with Jim Godsey on Drums. "My Mama Wears Combat Boots" was a great end to "Clarksdale" and certainly left you wanting more.
"Clarksdale" was my first intro to Liz Mandeville, and I must say, it was a mighty fine one indeed. She has a wonderful Voice, suited extremely well for the Blues, and she also plays a mighty fine Guitar, which together, certainly highlights her fine songwriting, to a tee.
Liz has certainly learned well from her visit to the deep south and it shines through on each and every Track on "Clarksdale", with this album being more then well worth the visit. Can't wait to her more from Liz, hopefully in the near future.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
https://bluesundergroundnetwork.com/
Listen To Samples Here... http://www.cdbaby.com/CD/lizmandeville1
Additional Artist Info... http://lizmandeville.com/
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