Long Hard Road - Jon Mosey - New Release Review

I just received a copy of the Long Hard Road, the newest release by Jon Mosey. John has a real feel for both Piedmont and delta blues styles as demonstrated by this 16 track set. Duffel Blues has very traditional styling, simple vocal and drop D guitar tuning (where the lowest string is dropped 1 full step giving the player an octave split for his thumb) giving the instrumentation a very bluesy feel. Jackhammer Blues also has a very traditional guitar styling with a solid rhythm but running picking line. Long Hard Road has the distinct sound of Skip James but without his wailing voice. I really love the sound of a James composition so this track is tops. Hummingbird Malarkey is inspired by Joseph Spense and is a very clean little acoustic instrumental. Don't Take Everybody To be Your Friend is an expanded version of the earlier track recorded by Spence and House. This track is a bit more musical and has a few more verses added... a little more modern and polished but effective just the same. Ain't No Farmers features White Boy Slim on harp and the duo creates a fast paced acoustic blues track sure to be enjoyed by most listeners. Baby I Don't Mind, inspired by Mississippi John Hurt, again has a lot of the original blues markers but with a more contemporary feel in delivery. Rollin' Baby Blues, a country rag style blues, shows influence by Blind Blake and takes you on a nice country ride. Easy Rider's Gone is much more of a country style picking track. Mosey continues to show throughout his guitar picking versatility. Blockhead Rag is a very cool guitar instrumental for those who like that fast picked acoustic styling. I find it quite cool. Any Way You Want It has the sounds of a Scrapper Blackwell track, played in quick Piedmont styling, again very nice. Boom, Boom, Boom written over a Blind Boy Fuller track is another really cool track and is sure to please all you acoustic blues lovers. Heartfull Of Nothing has the traditional styling of Hesitation Blues but with a new story. Mosey shows some of his best vocals on this track. Dirtwater Blues, another solid blues track with clean acoustic picking and a creative story line leads us to the final entry on the recording, Hot Dogs And Gravy. This last track is heavily vocal with crisp little acoustic bar leading from verse to verse. This is a slick little acoustic blues release with clever guitar and vocal. I enjoy it and I hope that you will as well. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”