FolkWorld #79 11/2022
© Frank Roszak Promotions / Endless Blues Records

FolkWorld 25th Anniversary 1997-2022

I’m Just Getting Started!

With his 11th album Mick Kolassa declares, I’m Just Getting Started, and what a start. Roaming through his “Free Range Blues” Mick serves up several subgenres of blues.

Mick Kolassa

Artist Audio Mick Kolassa "I’m Just Getting Started!", Endless Blues Records, 2022

Working again with producer Jeff Jensen, they have assembled a cadre of seasoned musicians to bring you a selections of ear opening tunes. Opening with the title track, “I’m Just Getting Started”, Mick declares that he’s got moves ain’t nobody seen yet. In the second track Mick steps away from the classic blues and brings you a Soul blues tune called “What Can I Do?” that features some stellar lead guitar work by Dexter Allen, who also played bass on ten of the tracks on this album.

Mick then asks listeners to dream “Bigger Dreams” and not give up on the ones they have. Mick and the band move in the direction of jazz with their cover of “Alibis and Lies”, a song about modern day Beale Street originally done by Chainsaw Dupont. Joining Mick on his version of the Taj Mahal classic “Leaving Truck” is Brandon Santini – this is the first song Mick and Brandon ever played together, many years ago, and they bring it with a new and funky groove. Brandon also joined Mick in presenting their take on the John Hiatt tune “Real Man”. The other cover on this album is a very bluesy/roots gospel take on the Pacific Gas and Electric rock classic “Are You Ready”.

The love songs “That Kind of Man” and “Take Me Away” are presented with a mixture of Soul and blues rock, while “Trying Not to Let the Darkness In” is one of Mick’s classic minor key slow blues songs. Closing out this new album are “Hard Hearted Woman”, a tune about a lady who should be avoided, to say the least, and “How Much Can I Pay You?” a comical song about a patron at a club who gets more than a little carried away with her celebrating.

All combined, these songs represent an expansion of the Free Range Blues Mick is noted for, and he’s just getting started!

Mick Kolassa

Artist Video Mick Kolassa @ FROG

www.mimsmick.com

They Call Me Uncle Mick

With this album Mick Kolassa has once again returned to his acoustic roots. No amplified instruments were used on any track, making this album purely acoustic.

Mick Kolassa

Artist Audio Mick Kolassa "They Call Me Uncle Mick", Endless Blues Records, 2022

Once again working with producing partner Jeff Jensen, they have assembled a true Free Range Blues experience! Opening with Bo Carter’s 1931 gem “My Pencil Won’t Write No More” Mick let’s everyone know that this album is about fun! The second track is a remake of Mick’s song “Wasted Youth”, this acoustic version features the one and only Bobby Rush on harmonica. The great John Prine’s “Daddy’s Little Pumpkin” is next, followed by Mick’s “Used to Be” which features Doug McLeod on guitar.

Continuing Mick’s hobby of “uncovering” songs that fit well into a blues form, Hank William’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is presented in a very different way. Doug McLeod also played on Mick’s original “My Woman She’s So Mean” – a song about a very troubled and troubling lady. Next, he is joined by the one and only Watermelon Slim as they celebrate a very bluesy version of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” – a song they’ve played together often.

Mick’s song “Why?” asks a critical question of an overly critical friend. The old standard “Sunny Side of the Street” lightens the mood, and the lightness continues with Mick’s song “Bless His Heart” – which is build around the classic southern put down. The album closes with Mick’s homage to cheese – of all kinds.

For The Feral Heart

Over the course of 12 previous albums Mick Kolassa has written and recorded many love songs – this album is NOTHING BUT LOVE SONGS! For the Feral Heart starts with blues but ventures into several other styles, taking the listener on a musical journey. For the Feral Heart includes blues, jazz, calypso, reggae, singer/songwriter and even America standards. With ten originals and two “covers”, the album traverses a lot of musical ground!

Mick Kolassa

Artist Audio Mick Kolassa "For The Feral Heart", Endless Blues Records, 2022

Kicking off with the blues-rocker “Running to You,” the album hits the ground running! “Elegant Angel,” a song celebrating a strong woman, is a blues/jazz number that features Memphis guitarist Mario Monterosso. Mick has re-arranged Dave Mason’s “Feeling Alright,” which is actually a song about a divorce, to take it back to the message of the lyrics – something it seems few fans have ever truly listened to– and Mick and Jeff Jensen enjoyed trading guitar licks on this song. “Love Ain’t Supposed to Make You Cry” is one of Mick’s trademark slow minor key blues songs, with Mario Monterosso adding his splendid guitar work. “Easy to Love,” a jazzy blues number about how difficult love can be to maintain, is followed by “I Keep Looking,” a more acoustic number that tells the uncomplicated story of a deep love that has no reason to end – ever.

The Blues Foundation

www.blues.org

The ballad “I Left My Heart in Birmingham” tells of the problems of a long-distance love affair with a slightly country feel, and “Love in My Size” is a singer-songwriter tune about an unexpected love. “Forever Sometimes” is a reggae song that celebrates an occasional love affair while the calypso tune “Hold On” tells of a deep commitment between two lovers who are going to stay with each other and get through any troubles. “Run Away With Me” is a gentle song about wishes that may not come true. Wrapping up the album is the wonderful old standard, “As Time Goes By” – and you are urged to play it again!


These albums are a labor of love; 100% of the net proceeds will go to The Blues Foundation, split between two very important programs: the HART Fund and Generation Blues. Go to www.blues.org to find out how you can support the blues.



Photo Credits: (1)-(4) Mick Kolassa (5) The Blues Foundation (unknown/website).


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