I have just received a copy of the new
Mitch Woods CD/DVD combo pack,
Blues Beyond Borders - Live In Istanbul and it's terrific! This is recorded live at the Rfes Blues festival and documents not only the performance but the tour itself. It shows beautiful shots of the Turkey scenery and shares their culture... "The Blues Is Everywhere". The DVD opens with
Solid Gold Cadillac, a solid piano boogie. Mitch is a great singer and entertainer as well as piano player.
Down Boy Down is a hot jumper and Mitch gets the band hopping! Amadee Castenell plays some awesome sax solos on this track and it's obvious the band is having a great time!
Next Up is Mojo Mambo, a popular New Orleans party track. Mitch flows easily between piano styles and this track would make you believe he was born right there in the Bayou.
Boogie Woogie Bar-B-Q, another jump style boogie is up next and Mitch is turning on the heat. The man is animated and it's hard not to smile watching his performance. Castenell takes another nice break on this track and this time Adam Gabriel also gets a chance to smoke the strings on his Strat! This band, also including Cornell Williams on bass and Larry Vann on drums is incredibly tight.
I Got A New Car is a real swing blues and just has that great lope. Castenell smokes another beautiful sax solo ... this guy is really hot!
What Can I Do is a cool jump blues giving Gabriel a nice opening to play some hot guitar riffs and keeps the crowd on their feet.
Queen Bee is done swing style and again Gabriel plays a sweet guitar solo. Some lower octave playing really punches the upper fret squeezing! There are numerous shots and videos inter dispersed throughout this film and it helps to add to the viewers appreciation that this film is is being shot in a climate much unlike the US. The country is very receptive and the crowd is obviously really enjoying the opportunity to see this great show.
Crawfishin', another jump blues keeps Woods on his feet and has hot riffs from but Castenell and Gabriel.
Long, Lean and Lanky a rockin' blues keeps the heat up and Gabriel spits out another hot solo on guitar. Woods is really working this crowd and having a ball playing the 88's.
Third Degree finds Williams leading off a real slow traditional blues track. Gabriel plays some absolutely scorching lead work on this track. Bassist Williams has a beautiful voice and actually fronts this track. Castenell absolutely kills his solo and leads up to another scorcher by Gabriel! The band gets back into the groove with
Rocket 88 and leading right into
In The Night/Lambaya Puf De (Described as a Barry White like song in turkey). This extended track gives each band member the opportunity to shine with nice solos. The set is wrapped with
House Of Blues Lights, a perfect closer of this set. Mitch Woods obviously enjoys his "job" and makes sure that all of the concert goers do too! A natural entertainer.
The extra footage showed impromptu performances with Kenny Neal Band who was traveling with them, and the band in local settings and engaging with local customs. It also gave insights into life on the road and the band personnel. Aerial and street shots captured glimpses of Independence day.
Also included is a photographic slideshow which is quite enjoyable and aesthetically beautiful.
This recording will be
Available October 30, 2012
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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