Mississippi Shakedown
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Album review by: Randall K. Ierna
Publisher: Ranluron Music, BMI

"Mississippi Shakedown" (c) 2005
Studio: A# Recording Studios
Producer: Jeff Cripps
Engineer: Jeff Cripps
Mastering: Paul Bryant
Cover Art: Robin Hood
Photograph: Joel Williamson
Manufactured by MAD CD's

I have been following the Australian Blues scene for several years, since touring there in 2003, and have been amazed at how vibrant the blues scene is 12,000 miles from it's birthplace and in the Southern Hemisphere to boot! The fact that there are so many musos emulating the different styles of blues and roots music is a testament to the staying power of the genre.

While studying the scene and reviewing some of the top musos in Oz, I have found out that there is one individual who has had a dramatic impact: Jeff Cripps of the fabled A# Recording Studio in Sydney Australia. Jeff has been named Blues Producer of the year in 2002, 2003 and 2005 and his projects and musicians have garnered 15 awards. His list of clients is a who's who of talent including Anni Piper, Henry Correy and many other fine musicians, singers, writers and groups. He has been featured on many CD's as a slide guitar player, however his newest creation "Mississippi Shakedown" is unique in that 1. All the songs were written or cowritten by Mississippi Jeff and 2. He plays ALL the instruments (Guitar, Bass, Drums) except for The Sax section (Ralph White, Steve O'Connell and Ed Schoz) on Saturday Night, The Bass (Martin Cilia) on track 12 "I married Dizzy Miss Lizzy, Piano (Don Hopkins) and Backing vocals on track 8 and 11 (Stewart Peters). Jeff Also sings all the songs on the CD.

Mississippi Shakedown contains 12 fine blues compositions. The Mixing (Jeff Cripps) and Mastering (Paul Bryant) is superb, the musicianship is clean, tight and hard hitting, and the vocals are clear and distinct. Through it all is the omni-present slide guitar. The songs range from straight-8 Blues, to Mambo Blues to Rockin' Blues, to Fast Shuffle Blues and Slow Shuffle Blues.

Jeff's liner notes pay homage to one of the Blues Greats Elmore James.
"Thank you to the late great Mr. Elmore James, whose incredible voice and searing guitar playing shakes me up as much now as it did when I was 14 years old and heard it for the first time."

This testament to a great Blues Man is present in each and every track.

 Tracks:

1. A Hard Man: Searing slide guitar right out of the box. "Solid straight 8 beat and the hook "A hard man is good to find".

2. Talkin' to my Baby: a slow shuffle with more of that great slide guitar. Good story line on the lyrics.

3. Momma: Rockin' Blues with an infectious bass line. One of my picks for a single.

4. This is the Finish: a fast shuffle break up song.

5. Saturday Night: Starts with piano and then bring in the Sax section. This Chicago-style boogie is a trip through all the days of the week. Another song I pick for a single.

6. Latino Mississippi: This is a Samba Blues instrumental with slide guitar in a major key. A real feel good riff.

7. This is Paradise: Again a Samba style blues with some more clean slide guitar, and Jeff singing about Paradise.

8. 7 Day Weekend: This is a straight ahead Rockin Blues with the hook "All I want in life is a 7 day weekend" (me too!). This is another single pick.

9. Tahitian Boogie: a fast boogie instrumental 2 beat with lots of slide guitar. Takes you to the islands.

10. The Way you Walk: This is "The Boys are Back in Town" style with a twist! I had to sit and count the time on this one. Sounds like a 5 1/2 bar turnaround. Very unique.

11. Fools Paradise: a 2 bar repeating rock riff with very smooth slide guitar solo.

12. I Married Dizzy Miss Lizzy: A fast Boogie reminiscent of "Good Golly Miss Molly".

So, here's the scoop: To find out more about Mississippi Shakedown, you can go to their website at  www.mississippishakedown.com.au

If you get a chance to go to Australia, make sure you check out Mississippi Jeff Cripps and his group the Shakedown Boys: John Gannon on Bass and Derek Smith on Drums.

When you get this album make sure you heed the warning: This Album was not created to be played quietly.
2010 © Copyright Mississippi Shakedown