West Wind Blowin: Mountain Top Productions, Vol. 3 [Mountain Top]

• Artist: R.J. Mischo
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 18, 1999
• Genre: Blues

Review

This was Mischo's first album after his move from Minneapolis to San Francisco, and his fifth overall. It's a nice mix of seven originals and eight covers, with two instrumentals. Mischo is one heck of a harp player, a good singer, and an especially proficient songwriter. Obviously the other musicians on the CD agree or you wouldn't see their names on the bill. They include first-call guitarists Rusty Zinn and Steve Freund (who relocated to California in 1994 after playing almost 20 years with several Chicago masters). Although not a live recording, West Wind Blowin' has that sound. When you're listening to it, you feel like you've just walked out of a jumpin' club (sans crowd noise). The only exceptions to this are "R. J. Getup! Milk That Cow!," with just Mischo on harp and spoken word and Randy Bermudes on stand-up bass; and the closer, "South City Fog," a slow, moody instrumental showcasing Mischo's forlorn-sounding, chromatic harp playing. The best tracks are the straight up Chicago originals "What I Got to Have," the swingin' Sonny Boy Williamson tribute "Goat Whiskers," and Junior Wells' "It's My Life Baby." Not only a strong effort by Mischo, West Wind Blowin' is one of Zinn's best performances. Be sure to check out his Sammy Lawhorn vibrato on "Jelly Sellin' Woman." ~ Ann Wickstrom, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Money Back Guarantee	R.J. Mischo	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(3:09)
R.J. Getup! Milk That Cow	R.J. Mischo	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(2:23)
Watch Out	Hound Dog Taylor	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(3:15)
What I Got to Have	R.J. Mischo	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(3:53)
West Winds Are Blowing	Walter Horton	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(3:38)
Bit Off More Than I Can Chew	R.J. Mischo	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(4:39)
Goat Whiskers	R.J. Mischo	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(3:00)
Goin' in Your Direction	Rice Miller	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(2:57)
Jelly Selling Woman		Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(5:35)
I Feel So Good	Big Bill Broonzy	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(4:51)
Courtin' in a Cadillac	Jerry "Boogie" McCain	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(2:13)
Miss Heidu Ho	R.J. Mischo	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(3:55)
It's My Life, Baby	Junior Wells	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(5:07)
How Much More?	J.B. Lenoir	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(4:16)
South City Fog	R.J. Mischo	Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, R.J. Mischo	(3:51)

Credits

Rusty Zinn (Guitar), Steve Freund (Guitar), Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser (Mixing), R.J. Mischo (Vocals), Rusty Zinn (Vocals), R.J. Mischo (Harmonica), Myles Boisen (Engineer), Myles Boisen (Mastering), Bob Welsh (Piano), Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser (Liner Notes), Myles Boisen (Mixing), R.J. Mischo (Producer), Walter Shuffelsworth (Drums), Steve Freund (Vocals), Johnny Ace (Bass)