Customer Reviews

Electric Storyland Live Vol. 1

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I've read that Michael Hill's Blues Mob started as a trio but this live album is their first full recording without keyboards. IT'S ABOUT TIME! There were two trio songs on their Alligator albums, "Soul Emergency" from Bloodlines and "She's Gone" from Have Mercy! It was obvious from those songs that the three piece format fits this band especially well. Think of something between Cream and Jimi's Band Of Gypsys but with Michael Hill songwriting. Hill's distinctive guitar playing is fiery and soulful as ever (that sweet Les Paul tone really suits him) and he has an absolutely great band. Pete Cummings is all over the bass- chords, double stops, great lines and counter-melodies, all deep in the groove. Bill McClellan's equally fine drumming drives the band with brilliant power, color and finesse. All three sing, and Hill's voice sounds better than ever. The keyboards are truly not missed, having been replaced by dynamic interaction and exploration only hinted at on the studio albums. This is like a live best-of-on-steroids, with even more urgency and conviction than the original versions, but at the same time the humor and audience involvement of their live show comes across well. And the two new songs are among their best- "Heart Of New York" is a classic.

Electric Storyland is a 2 disc live release from Michael Hill's Blues Mob, which is now a power trio. The performances are strong. Hill has always been a stellar live act. This release actually has 2 new songs, "Heart Of The City" and "Something In The Sky", that lead off each disc. These are somewhat regulation blues and funk numbers that are enlivened by Hill's guitar work. What is more interesting are the incendiary versions of Blues Mob classics. "Evil In The Air", one of the best songs the group has ever written, is given an extended workout that borders on the volcanic. The funky "Monticello Nights" grooves mercilessly. "Grandmother's Blues" is angry and intense in this setting. "New York State Of Blues" swings mightily and grooves hard. "Blessings" is a Santana-styled workout with a generous helping of Hill's searing guitar work. "The Chocolate Cream Jam" combines an excellent rendition of Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love" with a less-manic take on Cream's rendition of "Crossroads". The Bloodlines trilogy provides strong renditions of "Why We Play The Blues", "Can't Recall A Time", and "Hard Blues For Hard Times". Overall, this set captures the energy and quality of a Blues Mob show. This is one of the most underappreciated bands working.

This is Michael Hill's first live recording and it is featured here on two discs. Disc 1 was recorded on a Saturday at the Roadhouse in NY while disc 2 was recorded Sunday at the Union Hall. Disc 1 opens with Hill's tribute to September 11 "Heart Of New York" which features some pretty remarkable guitar soloing. That song sets the stage for some Hill stories including one of Thomas Jefferson's purported illegitimate children in "Monticello Nights" to cautioning listeners to not let anyone take your freedom away in "Blessings". Disc 2 is pretty much the same opening with "Something in the Sky" and preceding on through "Young Folks Blues" a depressing take on children today featuring Ana Popovic. Michael uses the blues as a political forum much as Bob Dylan, Michelle Shock and others used Folk for that purpose. From a musical perspective, the band is tight and the playing is superb. Lyrically, however, some may have a hard time accepting Michael's political statements and his point of view as something to sing along to.

Because of where I live, the odds of getting to see the Blues Mob live are not good. Therefore, I anxiously awaited the day when Michael Hill would release a live CD. Unfortunately, the fullness and richness of his studio CD's is not replicated on "Electric Storyland Live." The problem is not of substance but the lack of. This two CD set is comprised of only three artists except for one track in which Ana Popovic pitches in on guitar. The lack of any keyboard influence is very disappointing. Michael is Michael on this CD and is right on in his instrumentation and vocals. Bill McClellan on drums and backing vocals along with Pete Cummings on bass and backing vocals do more than just fill in. Cummings' bass is funky and driving. In many instances he is what Jack Bruce was to Eric Clapton-complementary but giving the bass an equal to Michael's guitar work. McClellan's drum work is satisfactory. He does a good job carrying the music but nothing else. As a power trio, the Blues Mob is very good but disappointing when compared to there studio work.