Mississippi MacDonald

Mississippi MacDonald
I Got What You Need 

Another Planet Music 
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © Oct ’24

Got What You Need is Mississippi MacDonald’s ninth overall release; his sixth under his own name; and the third that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. For the recording, Mississippi Mac – on vocals and lead guitar – is joined by longtime bandmates Phil Dearing on guitars and keyboards, and Elliot Boughen on bass; with Jim Kimberly on drums, and Lucy Randall on backing vocals rounding out the band.

The disc’s nine new tracks feature five original songs with four by Oliver ‘Mississippi’ MacDonald and a fifth by Phil Dearing.
You know those songs where hearing the first five seconds or less perk you right up and have you thinking “Oh yeah! This is going to be some killer slow blues”? Well, “Stop! Think About It” is one of those songs. Right out of the box Mac’s mesmerizing guitar licks immediately cast that slow blues spell all over you and right after that, you all know what happens next: he starts emotionally belting out slow and soulful melancholic lyrics; the rhythm section soon softly joins in; then after a verse or two, much longer and even more scorching blues guitar licks carry what’s left of you away. It’s pretty much basic slow blues 101….with nothing about it being basic. It’s this type of singing, this type of musicianship, and this type of songwriting that will indeed make Mississippi MacDonald a name you’ll soon be hearing spoken in awards conversations.

As with lots of other aspiring young blues guitarists, Mac grew up listening to, studying, and learning from Kings – as in B.B., Albert and Freddie. On this original instrumental titled “3:35 AM”, you’ll surely feel the Texas Cannonball’s hard driving influence.
On a track titled “Hard Luck And Trouble” (J. Ward), Mississippi MacDonald shows that, vocally and instrumentally, he can get down and rock the blues as good as anyone. It’s a rhythm fueled smoker that also features intense performances by Jim (drums), Elliot (bass), and Phil (organ).

One of the most compelling performances of the lot goes down on a track by Phil that’s titled “Sinking”. The song is about a failing relationship that’s quickly taking on water. Everything about this song is flawless and everyone’s performances were masterful. Not being a musician myself, I sometimes wonder that after wrapping up a song of this magnitude, if the guys shake their own heads in awe while saying “Wow”! We just nailed that one. How the heck are we going to replicate that at a live show”? Take a bow, guys.

Unquestionably, the most beautiful song on the album is the Gospel classic “If I Can Only Hear My Mother Pray Again”, (JW Vaughan/J Rowe/arr. O MacDonald). Think about the impact of that title. Using words like ‘sing’, ‘laugh, or ‘cry’ in place of pray would not change one bit of the powerful statement it makes. The thought of being able to hear my mother again – even if it’s to hear her holler at me – would indeed be a joy. Worthy of as much praise for the song’s lyrics is the way this ensemble presented them. Everything from the spiritual vocal performance by Mac and Lucy; to the soul-searching rhythm; to the hymnal organ effects; marched me right into a pew and demanded my fullest attention. Wow!

The disc closes with another of Oliver’s originals titled “Your Dreams”. It’s an emotional ballad featuring a duet with Phil and Mac putting on stunning but delicate piano and guitar runs and Mac putting on what may be his best vocal performance on the disc. It’s a perfect follow-up to the preceding Gospel number and a perfect way to close out what I’m calling Mississippi MacDonald’s best effort yet.

Other tracks on I Got What You Need – an album that should make a splash in some of the soul blues awards pools – are: the title track “I Got What You Need”(W. Norris); “We’re Gonna Make It” (Barge/Davis/Mine/Smith); and another of Oliver’s originals titled “Soul City One”.

Should you have not yet received your copy of “I Got What You Need” for airplay, please contact Betsie Brown at www.blindraccoon.com. Remember, wherever you go and whoever you contact, please let them know The Blewzzman sent you.

“The Blues Is My Passion And Therapy”