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THUNDER
IN MY HEART
"MISSISSIPPI
HEAT provides the next best thing to a time machine."
- SYRACUSE NEWS TIMES
"Deitra Farr
sings with convincing passion throughout the mostly
original program, and Lacocque's imaginative harmonica
lines always seem to be exactly in the right places,
whether he's flying in a full-blown solo or simply
adding a flavorful fill. Stroger and Kirk are as
steady a rhythm section as you're likely to find
in these parts, but the real key to MISSISSIPPI
HEAT's swinging style may be the marvelous interplay
between guitarists Wheeler and Flynn. They trade
licks and alternate rhythm patterns in a manner
reminiscent of Chess Records' sidemen The Aces and
later, Robert Jr. Lockwood and Luther tucker in
the 50's. MISSISSIPPI HEAT proves that contemporary
blues can be played with power and conviction without
resorting to the kind of rock histrionics practiced
by many of today's so-called blues bands. THUNDER
IN MY HEART is modern chicago blues at its finest."
- ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER
"Top honors go
to the Chicago-based MISSISSIPPI HEAT. The band
is rock-solid rhythmically, but what drives their
success is their collective vocal talent. Deitra
Farr is the band's lead vocalist, but guitarists
Billy Flynn and James O. Wheeler and bassist Bob
Stroger also contribute convincing lead vocals.
… Harmonica man Pierre Lacocque has found
the thick harp tone needed to anchor works done
in the Chicago blues tradition; he plays with discretion,
usually as a rhythm instrument or a one-man horn
section. Sounds great."
- BLUES ACCESS
"Deitra Farr's
vocals are, quite simply, a revelation!"
- BLUES GAZETTE
"MISSISSIPPI
HEAT is one of those bands that defies cliches because
each new CD is better than the last, and that is
true with THUNDER IN MY HEART. While Pierre Lacocque's
superlative harmonica technique and musical imagination
provide the initial draw, it is further reinforced
with Deitra Farr's evocative singing. … One
of the first things that the listener notices about
Pierre's harp playing is that he does not play conventional
riffs or familiar licks. The harp fills and embellishments
go with the individual songs … He plays like
his music is a part of the arrangement, not like
he's filling 'holes' in the music. … Horn
players could take a few lessons from Pierre on
the lines he uses."
- AMERICAN HARMONICA NEWSLETTER
"Deitra Farr's
smooth vocals are enhanced by solid backing from
such seasoned vets as bassist Bob Stroger, guitarist
James Wheeler and drummer Allen Kirk. Harmonicist
(and band sparkplug) Pierre Lacocque has got a great
sound and ex-Legendary Blues Band guitarist Billy
Flynn's subtle solos typify this Chicago band's
easy approach to the blues. With songs and vocals
by Farr, Wheeler, Stroger and Flynn, this band goes
from strength to strength."
- LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE
"MISSISSIPPI
HEAT is for me one of the nicest thing that has
happened to Chicago blues these last years. They
form a real BAND in the best tradition of the Chicago
blues of the 50's, a band where all individuals
have their room to express their musical abilities
… All the members are among the best musicians
around, and I find it so enjoyable to hear the guitars
of James Wheeler and of Billy Flynn which are not
only excellent lead guitar players but also play
so intellegently rhythm guitars in a way which should
reminds us how important rhythm guitars can be in
Chicago blues. … (Pierre) is definitely one
of my preferred harp players… Highly recommended."
- NETNEWS (BLUES-L)
FRENCH REVIEWS
"(Deitra Farr
est) une chanteuse a la classe folle, nourrie de
gospel, aussi fière qu'elle est puissante
…"
- LE SOIR (BRUXELLES)
"(Deitra Farr)
est une chanteuse extraordinaire …THUNDER
IN MY HEART se révèle un délice
pour le cœur, l'oreille et la partie du pied
qui tape quand le reste est heureux. D'emblée
on est saisi par cet harmonica qui nous suivra tout
au long du disque. … Bravo Monsieur Lacocque.
Deitra Farr, elle, fait figure de proue á
la voix irrésistiblement attachante. …
Il en résulte une œuvre respirant la
ferveur, l'authenticité, la maitrise de l'exécution
et la perfection dans les détails. …
C'est plus que bon."
- LES AMIS DU BLUES (QUEBEC)
"Deitra Farr
… rien de moins que la meilleure voix de blues
a Chicago !"
- LA TRIBUNE (SHERBROOKE, CANADA)
"Il est vraiment
splendide cet album. … Deitra Farr est admirable
parce qu'elle émeut la ou d'autres vont jouer
sur les émotions."
- LE DEVOIR (MONTREAL)
"L'harmoniciste
belge Pierre Lacocque, cheville ouvrière
de la formation … a admirablement assimile
le son du Chicago Blues des grandes années.
Bien que fortement influencé par Little Walter,
il est loin des clichés que l'on entend parfois
chez les harmonicistes de blues de la West Coast.
MISSISSIPPI HEAT est l'exemple même de la
formation collective au sein de laquelle les musiciens
sont au service du groupe. … Billy Flynn est
incontestablement un des meilleurs guitaristes de
blues actuellement actifs : absolument pas 'flashy',
il fait preuve d'une finesse de jeu, possède
un attaque efficace, et produit des soli inventifs
… James Wheeler, frère de l'harmoniciste
Golden Wheeler, le complète parfaitement
a la guitare, quant a Bob Stroger, son statut de
meilleur bassiste du Chicago Blues, il l'a acquis
au cours des décennies … (Deitra Farr
a ici) un répertoire intelligent qui lui
permet d'exprimer, au travers de son chant, la profondeur
de son talent. Pas gueularde pour un sous …
elle s'impose sans conteste comme une des grandes
dames du blues."
- JAZZ IN TIME (LIEGE) |
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