Mississippi MacDonald — “I Got What You Need” — APM Records
Oliver “Mississippi” MacDonald is one of those rare blues musicians who isn’t satisfied with just recreating this great music.
Instead, he has absorbed the blues, filtered it through his own considerable inspiration, and created a sound that is uniquely his own.
MacDonald’s music is filled with his own intensity and passion, created with a musical economy that underscores his understanding of the power of understatement, whether he’s delivering a passionate vocal or razor-sharp guitar licks. He lets the music breathe in between the notes.
MacDonald, from London, England, says of his style: “The great soul and blues vocalists sing in a way that conveys the song as if a friend were telling you of their trials and tribulations. Same for my favorite guitarists – I value economy and expression, not guitar histrionics.”
MacDonald’s bandmates here are the very capable Phil Dearing on guitars and keyboards, Elliot Boughen on bass; Jim Kimberly on drums, and Lucy Randall on stirring backing vocals. Nine tracks on the session feature five original songs with four by MacDonald and one by Dearing.
The band opens everything up, fittingly enough with the title track, a hard-driving version of the song originally written and recorded by William Norris, with MacDonald’s guitar leading the way. His guitar sparkles again behind soaring vocals on “We’re Gonna Make It,” a 1965 Little Milton cover. “Stop! Think About It” is a MacDonald original, where he delivers a hauntingly spare guitar solo and a vocal that reaches deep into the blues for its soulful feeling: “You said you love me child, are you walkin’ on me?”
“3.35 AM” is another MacDonald original, a lively, very danceable instrumental shuffle — if your feet can keep up. “Hard Luck and Trouble” jumps in next, written by John Ward, founder of Memphis-based Ecko Records. MacDonald steps up the pace with a rocking blues. “Sinking,” written by producer Dearing, is yet another of the passionate slow blues that MacDonald turns into a vocal masterpiece: “Your blues eyes don’t mean nothing to me, the water is coming over the side and this boat is sinking now.” Randall adds a soaring harmony for the final touch. “Soul City One” is another MacDonald instrumental, punched higher by Dearing on the B-3.
Next is the rousing gospel of “If I Could Only Hear My Mother Pray,” with MacDonald reaching higher and higher with splendid vocals. The song has a unique history — written by John Whitfield Vaughan and James Rowe in 1922. A 1934 recording of the by Thomas A. Dorsey (former hokum blues star and Tampa Red partner Georgia Tom), was selected in 2007 by the United States’ National Recording Preservation Board for preservation in the National Recording Registry.
The emotional closer, “Your Dreams,” features Dearing’s elegantly understated piano behind MacDonald’s eloquent guitar lines and spine-chilling lyricism: “For the dreams that we share, when we’re no longer there, break the heart of a poor man in two … if the day feels so long, and your heart has no song, raise your hand, let me know if you’re near…” It’s a moving musical triumph that powers MacDonald into the ranks of truly gifted musicians.
On his two most recent and equally excellent albums, McDonald has offered similarly powerful outings, music that seems to have been dredged from some primeval soulful depths — “Let Me Explore Your Mind,” “I Was Wrong,” and “I’ll Understand” are a few examples. This time, “Stop! Think About It!,” “Sinking” and “Your Dreams” explore those same deep emotional origins. It’s music that has the ability to fulfill the deepest longings of the soul.
Mississippi MacDonald pours his heart and soul into his music. You would do yourself a favor by letting him pour it into yours.
Here’s the title track, “I Got What You Need”
Tracklist and credits:
01. I Got What You Need
02. We’re Gonna Make It
03. Stop! Think About It!
04. 3.35 AM
05. Hard Luck And Trouble
06. Sinking
07. Soul City One
08. If I Could Only Hear My Mother Pray Again
09. Your Dreams
Mississippi MacDonald – Vocals , Lead Guitar
Eliott Boughen – Bass
Jim Kimberley – Drums
Phil Dearing – Guitars, Keyboards
Lucy Randall – Backing Vocals
Blues Roadhouse 