STYLE: Blues RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 32813- LABEL: Forefront 3003 FORMAT: VHS video Music video
Reviewed by Tony May
An hour of beefy blues, filmed at the '92 Cornerstone USA Festival. Howard links the programme, bit of a shadowy figure, you feel you'd pass him in the street afterwards and not recognise him. His own contributions to the music are neat and tidy, but when you want the fiery stuff look for Darrell Mansfield, Mark Farner and Vernessa Mitchell's contributions. The "Tribute To Mahalia Jackson" section is slightly patchy, but might encourage some to seek out the great lady's original classic recordings. Blues instrumentation-wise, there's real muscle in Rex Carroll's (Whitecross) guitar prowess, the slide guitar sound of the Guardian guy, and of course, Mansfield's virtually inimitable torturing of the harmonica. Weak spots? The backing vocalists needed lessons in choreography and Margaret Becker seemed out of place and uneasy. On the whole though, a very welcome video of quality blues with an aggressive gospel content.
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