REVIEWS OF MALKUM GIBSON AND THE MIGHTY JUKE...

Real Blues Magazine
A. Grigg Editor
August, 10 2007

MALKUM AND THE MIGHTY JUKE BAND: HOODOO BLUES (WHATA RECORDS)

Malkum Gibson has had a very interesting life, to say the least. He started playing Blues Harmonica over 40 years ago so he is truly one of the White Blues Pioneers in the U.S.A. But, besides his pioneering, Malkum is probably the only Bluesman in the World who had his debut recording produced by B.B. King! Yes, that's right: B.B. just happened to hear Malkum and Chris (Kleeman) right at the time Bob Thiele's Blues Time Records was getting underway and the resulting album for Blues Time: "Malkum & Chris: Just The Blues" remains a collectors' classic. Malkum & Chris were together for nearly 30 years as a duo, releasing some fine, mainly acoustic Blues albums on their own labels. Many fans and critics referred to Malkum & Chris as "…the White Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee" and it was totally complimentary as both had become masters of their respective instruments, (Malkum may be Hohner's longest-standing endorsee for Blues Harmonica). Now that they've once again gone their separate ways after many years based in Vermont, Malkum has decided to go all-out. Moving to Ohio, a State with a long Blues History and a rabid Blues audience, Malkum formed The Mighty Juke Band and I believe "Hoodoo Blues" is the very first CD release by them. What's really surprising, right from the opening notes, is that this recording sounds like it was done in 1967-68. If someone had said to me "Hey, check out this album that was recorded by Milwaukee's / Minneapolis' / Cleveland's best local Blues band in the 1960s…it's been sitting in the Bluesway vaults for 40 years…" I would've believed them. This is definitely time-warp Blues and if you've got the first few Butterfield Blues Band, Barry Goldberg, Charlie Musslewhite and Dirty Blues Band albums, you'll know exactly what I mean. Given that most of the players (Malkum - harp/vocals, Guitar Williams - lead guitar, John Hack - bass, Jake Schumaker - drums and Bill Stockwell - rhythm guitar) have their share of grey whiskers, it's baffling to me that a band can sound totally vintage as n Vintage Chicago 1967. There's no sign of SRV to be heard and these guys can definitely get a dance-floor filled pretty quick.

"I Love The Way You Everything" opens the album and it's an ass-kicker with lots of testosterone. Malkum's harp sound is unique; he sounds like a cross between Junior Wells (1950s), James Cotton and Snooky Pryor with those high clear notes and his many years as an acoustic harpman show through too with the occasional Sonny Terry-like melodic passages. John Hack lays down a thunderous bass and drummer Jake Schumaker is an ace timekeeper. The drums are recorded the way drums should be. This is hard-driving Blues at it's best. "That's My Baby" keeps the party going and it's a given that this was 99% (or 100%) live-in-the-studio and you can picture these guys having a ball laying it down in one or two takes. "Sunshine So Bright" has the old "Help Me" groove to it and Malkum blows his face-off as Guitar Williams builds intensity. Malkum is one of the better vocalists out there so the main 'achilles heel' for White bands is not an issue at all. Excellent tune. "The One For Me" is a nice medium tempo shuffle with great lyrics and lots of excellent picking and blowing (Malkum's solo should be considered as one of the Top Harp Solos of 2006 Recordings). "Hoodoo Baby" is a gem, featuring some screaming slide guitar from John Hack and more harp tricks from Malkum. (He's got more stuff in his bag-of-tricks/styles than just about anyone else on today's scene). "I'd Never Cheat On Anyone But You" should have fans just for the title and it's another solid Chicago shuffle. "Just Up Tight" is another perfect little Blues rocker and I've got to say, I wish ALL the albums I listen to were mixed like this. The levels are perfect and so is clarity and the drums are mic'd the way drums should be. The stinging guitar, throbbing bass and driving drums make this tune an infectious powerhouse and Malkum delivers impassioned vocals. The man can sing. This is one for the Carolina Shag Charts. (Ditto for "Hoodooo Baby" and "The One For Me"). "Sweet Baby Mine" is an up-tempo Blues romp with great harp and old-fashioned guitar - the good kind. Malkum's harmonica solo is enough to prove he's one of North American's Top Ten. Track #9 "Bring Me Some Lovin'" is a solid Chicago-style Blues and Schumaker's cymbal work is definitely a 'throwback' treat for the ears. "Dixie Pike" is a song written upon personal experience on a trip to the 'dark side'. "That Night's Tonight" is a fast-paced rocker that reminds one of Good Rockin' Sydney and as good as it is, the treble detracts on the mix. One less guitar track and this could've been a killer-diller although I'm sure the live version is phenomenal. "Bottomshelf Whiskey" is a fitting closer for this retro Blues-rockin' album. The controlled mayhem jumps back and forth to razor sharp tightness and proves that Malkum and The Mighty Juke Band are a powerhouse to be reckoned with. There are few bands out there in 2007 that can rock the Blues like this and undoubtedly the club patrons of Ohio are having a Ball and wearing out their shoes. 4 Bottles for a disc that'll finally put Malkum Gibson and The Mighty Juke Band in the spotlight.
…A. Grigg


Blues Bytes
Graham Clarke
June, 20 2007

Malkum Gibson and The Mighty Juke's latest release, It's Gonna Be Alright (Handlebar Productions) features a dozen of the tightest blues tracks you're likely to hear this year played by a talented group of seasoned professionals who have been around the music for years.

Harmonica player Gibson is a longtime vet of the music scene, having recorded an album in the 70's with Chris Kleeman, Just The Blues, which was produced by B. B. King, who was impressed when he heard them and took the youngsters under his wing. He was also a member of the 80's band Stronghold. Most recently, he's been a part of the music and dance company Rhythm & Shoes and has also embraced zydeco to the point that he learned to play accordion in his spare time (when he's not playing with the Mighty Juke or with Kleeman as an acoustic duo). The Mighty Juke consists of Rob Cole (guitar), John Hack (bass), and Jake "The Snake" Shumaker (drums).

The twelve tracks on It's Gonna Be Alright are a mix of five originals and seven covers. The covers are well selected and well done, including "Cross Eyed Cat," with some smoking harp by Gibson, a slowed down, funked-up version of the Meters' "Cissy Strut," and a spirited take on "Crosscut Saw." The originals are a solid group as well, the highlights being the energetic "Bowlegged Woman," the jazzy, rhythmic "Just One Roll", and the optimistic title track.

Gibson does an excellent job on harp and accordion, and his vocals are both playful and soulful. Cole's a standout guitarist and his vocals (particularly on the up-tempo numbers) reminded me of Paul McCartney on a couple of tunes, particularly "Bowlegged Woman." Hack is a rock on the bass and even takes the vocal on his own composition, "Victim of Fate." Shumaker holds it all together on drums, and is the band's secret weapon.

There's nothing fancy here, just a well crafted set that will satisfy any blues fan. Go to www.handlebarproductions.com and check this one out, as well as Gibson's other numerous projects.

Blues Review of the Week!

This week we feature another of our review series by James Skyy Dobro Walker, noted Blues writer and IllinoisBlues.com contributor. James reviews Malkum Gibson and the Mighty Juke CD It's Gonna Be Alright.

Malkum Gibson And The Mighty Juke
It's Gonna Be Alright Whata Records
www.handlebarproductions.com
By James Skyy Dobro Walker
12 songs; 51:11 minutes; Very Good

This is a solid home made album of enjoyable blues. There may not be any new ground broken here, but at least Malkum Gibson and the Mighty Juke know what the Blues are and don't take any detours down a Rock road or unscheduled stops in a Country outhouse. Gibson's vocals and harmonica are instantly likable in front of a competent band. Hailing from Ohio, the band is decades-long blues veteran Malkum Gibson; vocals, harmonica, accordion (on St. James Infirmary); Rob Cole guitars and vocals; John Hack bass and vocals; and Jake "The Snake" Shumaker & #150; drums. Gibson's harmonica playing has been reviewed as good harp tone by Bruce Iglauer at Alligator Records and passionate harmonica by Bill Kisliuk, Blues Access magazine.

Of the 12 tracks, Gibson or Hack or Cole penned five of them including the rocking, Chuck Berry-esque second track, Bow Legged Woman. The song is a fun romp in the Johnny B. Goode vein with Gibson blowing harp like he has three lungs. Bonita is another original with an infectious hook and a rhythm that's a slight variation of the Bo Didley beat. John Hacks Victim of Fate& brings a wry smile when the title is kept in mind while hearing lyrics like, Didn't see that stop sign...didnt see that speed limit sign...lost track of time...cant understand why that cop gave you a ticket. Don't expect any slow dirges here; this is energetic, foot tapping, dance floor burning Blues