The Coast/Reverb
Halifax
Review by Iain K. MacLeod
When I say that the blues are still number one, hipsters will single out the
scrawny New York art rockers while scholars will point to the musicians that
entertained the workers in an old lumber camp in Tennessee. I, however, would
give props to the one and only universal powerhouse known professionally as
Matt Minglewood. He has criss-crossed this country, recorded 10 full length
albums with his band on various labels, and now has his own dot com domain
name. Not a bad track record to mark a quarter century of work.
With 'Drivin' Wheel' filling a recent void in his catalog, Matt is given the
chance to tackle "How High is High Enough" and explains his alias in "Cape
Crusader." All it takes is the first few bars of the Sonny Boy Williamson
classic "Somebody Help Me" to conclude these fellas haven't lost their touch.
With the help of slide guitarist John Campbelljohn, percussionist Tom Roach,
and Hammond B3 player Bill McCauley, these 11 blues rockers will turn any
plastic-covered living room into a smoky juke joint. The only thing missing is
the elaborate cover art that used to grace his classic albums of the 70s. I
suppose looking for an iron-on for my denim jacket is totally out of the
question too.
Iain Kenneth MacLeod