Pickett, Michael Blues Money1998Wooden Teeth RecordsWTCD001

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Pickett, Michael - Blues Money - 1998 - Wooden Teeth Records - WTCD001

Written by Tim Holek

Blues Money is the first CD in a trilogy that will guarantee Michael Pickett a spot in Canadian music history.

The disc - Pickett's first solo effort in a career spanning more than 30 years - was voted Blues Album of the Year by both Real Blues Magazine and the Jazz Report Awards in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Additionally, Real Blues selected the track World Gone Crazy as the Blues Song of the Year.

Surely, one of the many reasons for these awards is the sharp production by Pickett together with Doug Romanow. Also contributing to its huge success is the cohesive and invincible group of musicians who perform on it. Not counting the backing vocalists, an entourage of 17 players are involved with this recording. They included: Teddy Leonard; Neil Chapman; Slavka Kobrin; Colin Linden; Mike Francis (on guitars); Steve Chadwick; Leo Valvassori; Malcolm McCuaig (playing bass); Marty Cordrey; Dale-Anne Brendon; Shawn Eisenberg (on drums); Rob Greenway (percussion); John Johnson (sax); Gord Myers (trombone); Richard Bell; Doug Riley; and Doug Romanow (playing keys).

Pickett handles the vocals, harp and guitar on all 12 tunes on this 52 minute disc. Each features his music and lyrics with styles ranging from shuffling boogies to urban, contemporary blues.

An explosive harp solo hints at Armageddon on World Gone Crazy. Leonard's guitar is its usual catchy and groovy self. His style returns and proves to be irresistible on the hip-grindin' Shake. Here, the percussion adds further celebration to a party that has already begun while the sax blows strong enough to march the saints on in.

The title track incorporates a butt-shakin' and ass-kickin' arrangement with powerful drums that pound a pattern deep into your cerebrum. The Sweetest Sound is a radio-friendly power ballad with remarkable vocal harmonies. It is a touching song about the true love shared between Pickett and his sweetest gal. The acoustic guitar work is distinguished and when combined with Romanow's accordion, a taste of Louisiana is presented.

The piano is central on 1988 and it immediately gets your toes tapping. Work So Hard is a driving number that features a guest appearance by one of Canada's best guitarists, songwriters and producers, Colin Linden. We can all relate to its lyrics which include lines such as, "Spending money's real easy. How come the work's so hard?"

This recording is a great achievement, a group effort thanks to all involved. At times, Pickett stirs up a tornado with his harp as evidenced on Trouble but the corps of musicians harnesses the power into a single unit. There may not be enough of these cyclone-like harmonica solos for the fanatics and at times the vocals become a shout and a scream.

However, these up-tempo eclectic roots rock tunes will appeal to many. Since Pickett changed his format to acoustic blues a few years ago, your only chance to hear him with a full electric band is on this CD. So go out and get it!

Copyright 2004. Review by Tim Holek.

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