R.J. Mischo – I Hope You’re Satisfied – Bluebeat Music BM109

An exclusive release for the Bluebeat Music label, the 14 selections comprising this superb collection were culled from three separate recording sessions in Texas, Minnesota, and California, with an accompanying roster of superlative sidemen counting among its ranks Johnny Moeller, Nick Curran, Rusty Zinn, Kis Andersen, Little Frank Krakowski, Wes Starr, Ronnie James, Bob Welsh, Jon Lawton, June Core, and Nick Connoly.  Front-to-back, this assemblage of blues support only heightens the lofty range that Mischo takes his astounding vocal and harmonica proficiencies across the wholly satisfying range of this top-tier blues outing.

The levels of individual and collective talent on display here are flabbergasting, ideally setting-up Mischo to fully realize his blues visions.  He sings with confident clarity and conviction, his ability to frame a tune is astonishing, and his titanic harmonica attributes are on the grandest levels.

Stories, revelations, and emotions are fully conveyed here from tracks 1-14, all buoyed by what can only be described as a total buy-ins by all involved.  Sound is crisp, clear, and powerful (but not overzealous), and arrangements feel deliciously assertive.  This is “big boy” blues made by men who know how to make it rain definitive examples of the genre.

If for no other reason, track 10 entitled “The Kalamazoo Kicker” will be your new favorite blues harmonica workout.  Sit back, play it, and let it whip you into a frenzy!  It’s four plus minutes of sonic harmonica bliss!  Bravo!

Highly-recommended, indeed!