MICHAEL
MESSER SECOND MIND
Second Mind
(COOKCD362)
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CLICK HERE > TRACK 1 > LOCOMOTIVE SKIN mp3
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> TRACK 8 > IN THE POCKET mp3
Michael Messer "Second Mind" won
"BEST BLUES GUITAR ALBUM OF 2003"
BEST BLUES GUITAR ALBUM
NOMINEES
A Michael Messer - Second Mind
B Chris Rea -
Dancing Down The Stony Road
C Eric Bibb - Natural Light
D Sonny Landreth - The Road We're On
E Aynsley Lister - All or Nothing
To read the complete
un-edited reviews
of Second
Mind click here
Moby
eat your heart out.
This is the best British blues album of the 21st century so far.
"What's On" London - Jan '03
Michael
Messer is one of the
most important bluesmen in Britain and mightily relevant throughout the blues world.
He has progressed from being
an excellent technician - on the National Steel especially, to being in the vanguard
of the 21st century blues. And that doesn't mean
he has forsaken traditional values either.
Second Mind is a work of near genius.
Joe
Cushley "Blues Matters!"- Oct'
02
(GUITAR magazine included Second
Mind as one of
THE albums of 2002)
Messer can handle a slide guitar like a true 1920s hero, but Second Mind is more
than that: it's an old-meets-nu
blues tour de force that gives full reign to our man's love of pop, rock and,
frankly, spooky shit. Electric guitars
rage over loop/dub backdrops, lovely, liquid acoustic figures recall slide kings
of yore, vocals plumb the dark
side like Tom Waits or Johnny Dowd, the band swerve from boogie to funk to
ambient with nonchalant ease
- and it all hangs together just right.
"Guitar Magazine" UK - Albums of the Year 2002
There’s super playing and very modern feel that is disarming in it’s charm.
Do we like it? Oh yes!!!
This man’s skill is unquestionable, this album is markedly different to
his last release and
shows off new territory that works well in this 21st Century.’
Ponch’
"Blues Matters!" Nov' 02
Second Mind is a exemplary example how one can play the guitar. Michael is a UK
wonder,
racking up award after award. Michael Messer should clean up on the US awards as
well.
Mark A. Cole - Dec' 03
(NET RHYTHMS included Second Mind as one of their albums of 2002)
Michael's own seriously stunning musicianship dazzles on every cut.
The mere
appearance of scratching on a blues album might seem heresy to purists, but it's saying
something for Michael's
skill that it's selectively and intelligently used and not remotely out of place.
In the end, then, if you want a blues-based album that's full of excellent
playing, yet startlingly original
and refreshingly different, then don't "messeround", check Second Mind
out pronto!
David Kidman "NetRhythms" Nov' 02
An outing of remarkable verve, taste and originality from one of
the UK's premier bottleneck-botherers -
and better than 95 per cent of the USA's
current nickel-plated blues output.
Messer's playing is as fab' as ever,
his vocals are reaching new, convincing heights and the lyrical
twists add a dimension rare in modern rootsy Americana. (4 stars )
Rick
Batey "GUITAR" magazine UK
If last year's King Guitar
opened the ears to the slide guitar talents
of the UK's Michael Messer, Second Mind will confirm him as an artist of
considerable merit. Recorded
(mostly) live in the studio with his regular band, it features 12 cuts that take
his masterful old-style electric &
acoustic playing into new directions. Refreshingly innovative yet authentic. ( 4.5
stars )
Dave Burrluck "GUITARIST "magazine UK Nov' 02
Locomotive Skin, has just enough of a modern edge
with a mid-tempo drum groove and a spattering
of record scratching to keep both older blues fans happy and new converts
intrigued.
The groove is so thick that by the time the sultry slide guitar solo
enters, you're totally hooked.
Jason Sidwell "TOTAL GUITAR" magazine UK
Jan'03
Messer takes the basic elements and experiments with sound, rhythm, percussion
and lyrical overlays
to create a multi-layered musical tapestry that definitely grabs the attention
making you sit up and listen.
But the binding force throughout the album is Michael’s probing, driving and
exhilarating guitar work. He also delivers his best vocal performance yet.
Dave Peabody fROOTS magazine UK June '03
On ‘Blue Letters’ he mixes a brooding guitar
with a back-track of scratching vinyl
to carve out a sound reminiscent of Chuck Prophet’s later work. The
infectious,
upbeat ‘Hummingbirds in my Soul’ gives way to the atmospheric ‘Big Wind,’
which in turn prepares the way for the Stones’ rocker ‘Love.’ All of these
elements,
along with Messer’s fine vocals, make Second Mind a superior release and also a
match for his 2001 release, King Guitar.
Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. All Music Guide & Windows
Media.com - 2003
There’s a feel of being on the street in Clarksdale, Messer’s vocals drifting in & out....then
you hit the killer smooch of Tail Feather Blues,
a Green Onions riff attacked
from behind by DJ scratching as Messer’s slide duels with harmonica.
Dark & Demonic. ( 4 stars )
Nick Dalton. "Maverick" magazine UK Nov' 02
I just bought a copy of 'Second Mind' and without a doubt it's one of the most
interesting
and diverse albums of the year so far.
AMAZON.CO.UK customer
review Nov'02
Second Mind - lemme tell ya.....this album rocks! If you like
your blues
steeped in tradition, but twisted right up to date in a variety of creative
& diverse guises, this is for you.
Gibson Keddie "GEAR" magazine UK Nov'02
Michael
Messer has now moved up a league into Sonny Landreth territory;
Second Mind is an award-winner in the making.
Cilla Huggins – "Juke Blues" – Nov '02
Soaked
in the blues, it’s a beautifully moody & soulful affair that reminds
me of Waits,
Mullen & Cooder all rolled into one. Big Wind is one of the most evocative
tracks I have heard in
a very, very long time. Absolutely cracking album with twelve stunning
tracks.
Dave W Hughes – "Modern Dance" – Dec
'02
Following
King Guitar, Second Mind further enhances Messer's reputation as
a
front-line enterpreter of the blues. The stand-out track is acoustic blues gem Painting
The Blues, on which Ruby Turner provides exquisite backing.
Richard
Osley - "West End Extra" - Oct '02
NET RHYTHMS & GUITAR listed Second Mind as one of their albums of the year
The "Second Mind" studio band
Michael Messer - Vocals & slide guitar
Ruby Turner - Backing vocals
Ed Genis - Guitar
Richard Causon - Keyboards
Louie Genis - Scratching & vinyl drum loops
West Weston - Harmonica
Alan Whetton - Saxophone
Andy Crowdy - Bass
Simon Price - Drums
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