Search - Nothin But the Blues :: Barry Goldberg & Friends

Flawed Brilliance

J.L. Smith | Detroit | 05/06/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"With Barry Goldberg's pedigree, one would expect nothing short of excellence. BUT, when I first spun this disc, I almost bailed out on the first track.

"Sweet Home Chicago" is a perennial favorite that flows in and out of a "quality" mix. At about 2:40 in, they finally get the sound right, but in a song that's only a few seconds over 4 min, it's too late.

And how much of this is live???

Who knows? With this cheap packaging and skimpy liner notes, one is left to only guess.

That aside, you rarely get a chance to hear the simply spectacular Harvey Mandel flexing his mighty chops. A truly unsung Guitar Hero. And for that fact alone I'll skip the flawed aspects and groove out... plus throw in Mike Bloomfield for good measure.

Track 2 is a jam that shines -- "I Got A Woman" here listed as "I Got to Love My Woman" is 12:26 of Blues Bliss. The unknown bass player and ("Fast" Eddie Hoh?) blister the rhythm section like nobody's business. Mandel's playing is Hendrexian,yet not lacking in originality, and Hoh's drum solo is just right. Driving, diverse and just long enough to not get boring.

"Long Hard Journey" is a slow burning number worthy of any blues afficionado's notice. Again Mandel shines, or is it Bloomfield???

Once again a "live?" Track with "Woke up This Morning" is one of those tracks you just wish someone would tell 'em to "Shut up and just play!"

"Mess Ada Blues" is a bluesy excursion into that wonderous jam style ala track 2, that when found in this recording is so good it hurts....



Poorly produced, edited and shamefully lacking in information.

But I guess when you have these rare moments, when such stellar luminaries converge, we can only hope to catch a glimpse of their flash of brilliance and enjoy the view."