MITCH KASHMAR "100 MILES TO GO" Source: Blues In Britain Magazine Date: 09/2010 Writer: Mike Rainsford

DeltaGroove’s latest two offerings will be seen as “manna from heaven” for all lovers of harmonica blues – as they feature two of the genre’s most talented performers in Mitch Kashmar and Bob Corritore.

“100 Miles To Go” is a re-release of the mid-80’s Blue Sting vinyl album that alerted the blues world to the burgeoning talents of Mitch Kashmar who was learning his trade playing and associating with the likes of James Harman, William Clarke, Kim Wilson and Rod Piazza.  Kashmar learned his trade well and can now be considered the equal of those harp luminaries – fulfilling William Clarke’s praise when in 1989 he said “Out of the younger generation of blues harmonica players, Mitch Kashmar is my favourite.  I really dig his harp playing …. And his singing really knocks me out” – and listening to this set will make you understand why.

The original album is supplemented by two new tracks – Kashmar re-assembling the Pontiax … “older, wiser, more silvery selves” … to round out a killer set with more great music that rekindles the excitement of those formative years in clubs like Eli’s mile high Club and Smokey Wilson’s Pioneer Club.

The Pontiax comprise Bill Flores (guitar/tenor sax), Jon Lawton (guitar), Jack Kennedy (bass) and Tom Lackner (drums) with special guests William Clarke … and on the new tracks Jim Calire (tenor sax/organ/piano).  The songs comprise 9 originals and 3 covers.

The set opens with “Night Creeper” – a pounding shuffle with a thunderous backbeat – replete with Kashmar’s trademark hot blues vocals and plenty of that high register harp that so impressed William Clarke.  “My Kind Of Woman” highlights the strength of Kashmar’s vocals, his soulfulness making him sound like a bluesy Arthur Alexander replete with shimmering guitar and wailing harp – the title track is a seductively grooving shuffle with beautifully understated guitar – whilst “Lip Service” is an apt title for a number that makes Kashmar sound like a West Coast Rice Miller.

“Horn Of Plenty” is a harp tour de force with … dare I say it … two masters of the genre “locking horns” – “Walkin’ Downtown” is a moody George Smith styled blues replete with cutting guitar – whilst Willie Dixon’s “Long As I Have You” moves impressively into Little Walter styled territory.   “Let It All Fall Dead” is hauntingly soulful, the mood accentuated by Jim Calire’s organ and some emotive fretwork – whilst “I’m Sorry About That” is a jumping West Coast blues replete with fat toned guitar that would make Hollywood Fats proud.

The two new tracks fit seamlessly into this set – “When You Do Me Like That (I Wanna Do You Like This)” finding Kashmar singing through the harp mic giving a lowdown dirty feel to a grinding blues infused with hot harp and piano – whilst “The Petroleum Blues” finds Kashmar sounding like a Crescent City Jimmy Reed accentuated by jumping horns, piano and harp.

Kashmar delivers West Coast blues at it’s finest permeating it with a deep Delta groove.

A must purchase!
Ratings 10/10