MITCH KASHMAR "LIVE AT LABATT" Source: Living Blues Magazine Date: 08/2009 Writer: Tim Holek

Mitch Kashmar, a native of Santa Barbara, California, is proud the West Coast has its own sound.  He is equally proud to be a West Coast harp player.  He made a name for himself as leader of the Pontiax and released his debut solo album Crazy Mixed-Up World in ’99.  His 2005 Delta Groove release Nickels & Dimes jump-started his career.

Recorded live on August 27, 2007, at the Edmonton Labatt Blues Festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, this lively set is loaded with energy and harp blasts that range from soft to shrill.  Each of the ten songs featuring four from his two Delta Groove CDs – is longer than five minutes, with Kashmar bellowing his harp in the lead. 

The members of the band (former Pontiax drummer Tom Lackner, bassist Steve Nelson, pianist Jimmy Calire, and former William Clarke guitarist John Marx) are as impressive as the bandleader.  Together they create a refined and bouncy sound.  Each member plays his solos in a laid back manner, and no one tries to garner too much spotlight.

With friendly sounding vocals, Kashmar warms up the crowd on the pleasing opener I Got No Reason.  He also uses the song to introduce the two main featured soloists (himself and Marx).  Whiskey Drinkin’ Woman is pure blues given its arrangement, lyrics, and guitar-focus.  A masculine spin is given to a famous Bessie Smith song, appropriately re-titled Evil Man Blues.  Here, Calire serves up his own tasty licks on the keyboard.  Calire shines throughout, but the recording level of his keyboards is inconsistent.  Kashmar, who also performs with classic ‘70s funk-rock band War, strays from the blues on Horace Silver’s popular and jazzy Song For My Father.  Lollipop Mama is dedicated to deceased West Coast colleague William Clarke.  Clarke was a close friend and mentor who helped Kashmar develop his own take on the West Coast sound.

Like many other West Coast artists, Kashmar revels a strong Chicago influences.  He produces a tone that is reminiscent of the city’s golden era on Sugar Sweet (made famous by Muddy Waters and others) and Jimmy Rogers’ You’re The One.

There are plenty of harp solos on the disc, but they stay fresh because they are not over the top.  Live At Labatt proves that Kashmar is ready to join the top ranks of fellow west Coast harp men like Rod Piazza and Mark Hummel.