The Mississippi Hippies honed their collective chops in the wide-open late 60's and early 1970's. A time period referred to as the 'Toronto Sound'. When Rock n' Roll culture ruled, and Toronto's Yonge Street Strip served as its temple. This updated version of 'Hippiedom'-the brothers Leggat: bassist Hugh, and lead guitarist Gordie, along with John Dickie, lead vocals and harmonica--has been several decades in the making. With over 50 listens to my credit I qualify as an addictive personality. And it would've been twice that number if I wasn't committed to other projects. What a truly wonderful present for a New Year! This upsets the whole 'apple cart', so to speak, since The Mississippi Hippies have taken the Blues kicking and screaming from whatever museum it's been hiding out in, while simultaneously breathing new life into it. This whole endeavor crackles with spontaneous creativity married up to rockin' firepower. Chalk it up to some of the most engaging songwriting (all 10 songs written by Leggat/Leggat/Dickie) that this reviewer has heard in many years--if not decades. The magic begins on the opening notes of Rockalator, a revelatory rocker that catapults you into a swirling ride of reverb-drenched guitar, churning horns, and raw smokin' vocals. Sci-Fi Baby and Dangerous Curves maintain that Little-Richard/Chuck Berry-indebted momentum, before things cool the groove-alicious Funky L'il Thang. John Dickie, the closest thing to a white incarnation of James Brown, is further validated on the staggering Cruisalatin' Time. Funk rules! Matters shift to the wilder side of life on Don't Touch My Hair, as Dickie blows some mean harp while pleading like the most persuasive street preacher. Cool organ (Rob Gusevs, Norm Brown) and hip horns (Gord Myers, Chris Mitchell, Pat Perez) abound, surrounded by righteous testifyin' on the soulful, I Ain't Got The Blues. Three more thunderous tracks (Luv Pad, 96 Miles, Rayleen) cook with natural gas--with no unnecessary additives. The guitar/slide work of Gordie Leggat is right on the money. It's completed, with the non-intrusive production qualities needed, with much thanks to engineer Tom Atom. The most satisfying collection of original Rockin' Blues since the heyday of King Biscuit Boy.-Gary Tate/LivinBlues
MP3- Luv Pad |  www.mississippihippies.com