Dr. Sam Records artist: Stacy Mitchhart - Live My Life - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Live My Life, by Stacy Mitchhart and it's a blues rockin' party. Opening with I Drink Whiskey, the thoughts of George Thorogood come to mind with a driving bass by Michael Dearing, harp from Jacob Titton and guitar and vocals from Mitchhart. Mitchhart whips out his cigar box guitar for this next number, Lennon and McCartney's Come Together. Maintaining the general structure of the original, Mitchhart takes a more extended look at guitar soloing and Darin James is instrumental in keeping the track rock solid. With a bit of a Jimmie Rogers western feel, Tilton lays down the B3 while Mitchhart grinds away at the frets. Nice! R&B track Voodoo Doll rides a nice groove. Tipton on B3 lays the ground work for Mitchhart on vocal and Cory Distefano (trumpet) and Jules Caldarera (sax) top off the punctuation. Instrumental track Soul Stroll finds Mitchhart playing the melody on guitar, shared with Tipton on B3 and again with perfect punctuation by Distefano and Caldarera. Bill Withers' Better Off Dead, has a really swampy groove augmented by Dearing and Tipton. This is my favorite track on the release with nicely placed and cool guitar work. Darin James and Pino Squallace really sauce up the rhythm. Excellent! On title track Live My Life, Mitchhart keeps it simple with only his cigar box guitar and basics. He does rip a healthy 6 string solo on this track as does Tipton on harp. On I'm The Reason (She Walks That Way) has an easy swing and features real nice solos from John Hinchey on trombone, Distefano on trumpet and Caldarera on sax. On Gil Scott Heron's Legend In His Own Mind, Mitchhart really hits the groove. Emanuel Cole lays down some nice bass work and Mason Embry is tight on the keys. A horn prominent track, Distefano and Caldarera add a lot of warmth to a smooth vocal outing. Boogie Bar & BBQ has a country rockin' feel with Mitchhart on slide and lap steel guitars. Darin James really keeps the bottom tucked in for that true "train like" country sound. Slippery! Two steppin' instrumental Cat Bowl Blues is a foot stomper with simple rhythm and wild cigar box slide antics. Fun! Wrapping the track is 12 bar number, Worried Mind Blues. Micthhart not only does a nice job on vocals but also adds ukelele and some slick dobro. Rev. Zack Reynolds slips in a nice harp solo with his percussion duties and Scott McEwen adds a nice line on stand up bass.

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