STACY MITCHHART Live My Life.
Dr Sam Records.
The talented songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist Stacy Mitchhart presents a series of twelve tracks, of largely original pieces, two instrumentals and choice covers on Live My Life. Leading on a range of guitars, lap steel, cigar box guitars, and hand percussion, this album sounds like Seasick Steve, with more production sheen, and a larger band. Saxes, brass and harmonica mix together on several tracks, whilst songs such as the Beatles Come Together, Bill Withers Better Off Dead and Gill Scott Heron’s Legend In His Own Mind suit the new clothes that the band provide for them. Of the original tracks, most are blues, or jazz jive swing, and would fill many a dance-floor, with such songs I’m The Reason (She Walks That Way) and She Knows Just What To Do being fine examples of writing within the genre. The standout instrumental is Soul Stroll, a brass heavy piece for relaxed Robert Cray like guitar. In all, this is a fine collection, with high quality writing, a rocking rhythm section, brass, and vocal interjection, and should find its way into the collection of anyone who likes feel-good, bluesy foot tapping music.
BEN MACNAIR
