Sledgehammer Soul and Down Home Blues

• Artist: Mighty Sam McClain
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1996
• Total Time: 71:10
• Genre: Rock

Review

The title of this CD couldn't be more descriptive of its contents, for it illustrates that Mighty Sam McClain is indeed a master of sledgehammer soul and down-home electric blues. Influenced by Bobby "Blue" Bland but nonetheless his own person, the Louisiana native is a charismatic singer who is as convincing on blues gems like "Where You Been So Long," "They Call Me Mighty," and the haunting "When the Hurt Is Over" (the perfect marriage of Bland and John Lee Hooker) as he is on such Southern soul treasures as "Trying to Find Myself" and "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." When it comes to R&B, McClain's approach is essentially Southern and very 1960s-influenced -- the sleekness that characterized so much of the soul-pop of Detroit, Philadelphia, and Chicago isn't an influence on this fine album, and he shows no awareness whatsoever of mid-'90s trends in urban contemporary music. But McClain (who is joined by a solid band that includes horns, electric Hammond organ and a rhythm section) does surprise us by embracing reggae on the uplifting "Pray." This is definitely a CD to savor. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Sledgehammer Soul and Down Home Blues	Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(3:30)
Where You Been So Long?	Kevin Barry, Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(5:56)
Trying to Find Myself	Mighty Sam McClain, Bob Teague	Mighty Sam McClain	(4:22)
Things Ain't What They Used to Be	George PapaGeorge, Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(6:16)
When the Hurt Is over (Maybe Love Will Flow)	Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(8:03)
Pray	Carlo Ditta	Mighty Sam McClain	(4:42)
They Call Me Mighty	Peter Giftos, Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(5:59)
Dancin' to the Music of Love	Moses Dillard, Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(4:36)
Hey, Miss Bea	Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(5:08)
If You Could See	Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(8:42)
Bridge of Faith	Cranston Clements	Mighty Sam McClain	(6:41)
Don't Write Me Off	John Carbo, Mighty Sam McClain	Mighty Sam McClain	(7:15)

Credits

Mighty Sam McClain (Vocals), Bruce Katz (Piano), Mighty Sam McClain (Producer), Bruce Katz (Organ (Hammond)), Walter Platt (Trumpet Arrangement), Jeff Galindo (Trombone), Adam Blackburn (Assistant Engineer), Peter Giftos (Guitar), George PapaGeorge (Organ (Hammond)), Walter Platt (Horn Arrangements), Michael C. Ross (Engineer), Joe Casano (Trumpet), Mighty Sam McClain (Liner Notes), Hillary Weiss (Design), Kevin Barry (Guitar), Bernie Grundman (Mastering), Joe Harley (Producer), Pierre Degeneffe (Photography), Zac Casher (Drums), Hillary Weiss (Art Direction), Mighty Sam McClain (Assistant Producer), Ted Decola (Sax (Tenor)), Mighty Sam McClain (Rhythm Arrangements), Ted "Teddy B" Bukowski (Bass)