Monster Mike Welch — “Nothing But Time” — Gulf Coast Records
Mike Welch, who became “Monster” Mike Welch when comedian/actor/”Blues Brother” Dan Aykroyd hung that nickname on him because of his guitar prowess when he was just 13 years old.
The name stuck, and fortunately for us, the prowess has just gotten better.
In 2001, the Boston-based Welch joined the fine New England blues band, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, where he stayed until 2017. He left to focus on his partnership with vocalist Mike Ledbetter, which became the Welch Ledbetter Connection.
That led to seven Blues Music Award nominations, which resulted in winning Best Traditional album in 2018, and Welch won the BMA for Guitar (and Band ) in 2019. Welch has received three consecutive Blues Music Award nominations. Sadly, Ledbetter died unexpectedly in January of 2019. (Personal note: I was on the LRBC cruise that Ledbetter was to have been on with Welch later that month. There were many tearful tributes, all beautiful to witness.)
Welch then contracted COVID, which kept him out of pocket for a year and a half. “At its worst,” he says, “long Covid was completely debilitating, and I spent most of 2022 genuinely unsure whether I’d be able to play music full time ever again. Kid Andersen and Mike Zito inspired me to take a leap of faith and make a new start; they both had my back and gave me the support and freedom to make the most personal record of my career.”
That record, of course, is the superlative “Nothing But Time,” recorded at Andersen’s California Greaseland Studios and released on Zito’s Gulf Coast label.
The supporting cast here is drawn from Andersen’s outstanding studio players including two-time Grammy winner bassist Jerry Jemmott, pianist Bob Welch (no relation), drummer Fabrice Bessouat, plus horns and backup singers. The 14 tracks include ten originals, two Robert Johnson classics, one from Buddy Guy, and one from George Harrison.
Welch opens the album with fierce guitar licks on “Walking to You Baby,” backing up a tough vocal turn that sets the tone for the entire session. Welch hasn’t been known for his singing, but this album shows off his considerable vocal chops. Robert Johnson’s powerful blues, “If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day,” switches gears and kicks in with Rick Estrin’s sharp harp work. The title track, “I’ve Got Nothing But Time,” shuffles in nicely, adds horns, backup singers in a little call and response, and a stinging guitar solo.
Harrison’s “I Me Mine” is an eloquent take on that familiar song, leading into “Offswitch Blues,” a hard-charging tune with wicked guitar, horns, and keys all leading the way. “I Ain’t Saying” powers into place, followed by the rugged group of “In Case You Care,” “Time to Move,” and “Losing Every Battle.”
“Hard to Get Along With” is pure straight-ahead blues, “Jump for Joy” makes jump blues more than just a name, and then Welch’s guitar soars on the scorching “Ten Years Ago.”
“Afraid of My Own Tears Parts 1&2″ is a simply gorgeous instrumental — eight-minutes-plus of razor-sharp guitar work leading a brilliant musical ensemble in an exuberant display of Welch’s “monster” talent. This one alone is worth the price of admission.
Welch then closes quietly but elegantly with another classic, Robert Johnson’s “Kind Hearted Woman Blues,” steeped in authenticity with acoustic guitar and falsetto, and giving it a personal touch by inserting his own name into the lyrics.
This is an outstanding album, bringing back to life the passionate guitar work of Mike Welch, and adding the revival of his considerable vocal skills. Enjoy it soon. And often. It’s great music.
Here’s “I’ve Got Nothing But Time”:
Tracklist:
1. Walking to You Baby – Mike Welch
2. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day – Robert Johnson
3. I’ve Got Nothing But Time – Mike Welch
4. I Me Mine – George Harrison
5. Offswitch Blues – Mike Welch
6. I Ain’t Sayin’ – Mike Welch
7. In Case You Care – Mike Welch
8. Time to Move – Mike Welch
9. Losing Every Battle – Mike Welch
10. Hard to Get Along With – Mike Welch
11. Jump for Joy – Mike Welch
12. Ten Years Ago – Buddy Guy
13. Afraid of My Own Tears Parts 1 & 2 – Mike Welch/George Lewis
14. Kind Hearted Woman Blues – Robert Johnson
Blues Roadhouse 