Toronto Blues Society

Maple Blues Online Magazine

Toronto Blues Society
Maple Blues Magazine
Review by - John Valenteyn

Matt Minglewood Drivin' Wheel Norton NORT99-1
Matt Minglewood's unique East Coast blend of country, blues and rock'n'roll returns to the spotlight with a 10th album that emphasizes his blues-rock roots. His last album, 1997's One Caper After Another (BMG) is a best-of collection and is the only other one since 1988's The Promise.
His albums have sold some 350,000 copies, winning three gold records, two JUNO nominations and numerous country music awards and he has not been idle in the intervening decade. In addition to constant touring, he has guested on albums by Rita MacNeil (A Thousand Nights) and the Tribute To Stan Rogers, appeared with The Halifax Symphony, moved into production work and supplied the title song, "Me & The Boys" for a Charlie Daniels album. The Minglewood Band also contributed "Long Way From Texas" to Dutch Mason's Dutchie's 60th Birthday.
The new album features eight new Minglewood songs, David Wiffen's "Lost My Drivin' Wheel", an excellent version of Sonny Boy's "Help Me" and Lenny Gallant's "Black Spruce River". "How High Is High", "Darkest Shade Of Blue" and "Comin' Back A King" (yes, that Elvis fellow, built on a neat "Peter Gunn" riff) are all strong blues-friendly songs but Minglewood's been playing this blend long enough to make whole albums enjoyable for blues fans.
His longtime rhythm section of Grant Leslie on bass and Neil Robertson on drums is augmented by John Lee(a long time member of Dutch Mason's band) on piano, Bill McCauley on B3 plus numerous guests as required by the songs, including fellow Cape Breton native John Campbelljohn who plays slide on the title song.