Mess of Blues

Jeff Healey

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2008)
• Original Release Date: March 11, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RUF RECORDS
• ASIN: B0013JYWP6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,395 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Times Onlines

"[Jeff Healey] leaves behind a rich legacy including this, his first rock-blues album for eight years, which shows once again he was a powerful and authoritative soloist whose style of playing guitar on his lap gave him a distinctive edge over his rivals. A memorable romp through the blues catalogue, this album finds him in great form on a live version of `I'm Tore Down,' showing off his vocal chops on `Sittin' on Top of the World,' and throwing licks around like confetti on `Shake, Rattle and Roll.'"

Product Description

Jeff Healey was arguably one of the most distinctive guitar players of our time. This is his first blues/rock release in nine years, and the last release from the late artist--a bustling, bright collection of tunes titled Mess of Blues.

Winner of the Best Blues Album Award at the Independent Music Awards.

Finalist for Rock Blues Album of the Year at the Blues Foundation's 30th Blues Music Awards.

This album was recorded in late 2007, with the musicians who regularly accompany the guitarist at Jeff Healey's Roadhouse in Toronto. Two tracks were recorded at the club, and two more were cut at a concert in London.

The Jeff Healey Band was formed as a "house band" to accompany guests who sit in when Healey plays at the club that carries his name, and to meet the ongoing international demand for the artist's powerful and unusual guitar work. The guitarist called his group "the best damned bar band in Canada."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Jeff!, April 12, 2008

By	BDH (Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews

Jeff Healey's first blues-rock release in eight years, "Mess Of Blues" is primarily made up of recent studio recordings, a couple recorded live at his Roadhouse club in Toronto, and a couple recorded live at the Islington Academy in London.

Though some like to think that great musicians are elevated to a status of eminent legend once they're deceased, that announcement would be redundant in Jeff Healey's case. He was already an authentic legend before the fact.

Back in 1988, when he released his debut album, See the Light, listeners knew immediately that they were hearing greatness for the first time. The fact that he rested his Fender Stratocaster on his lap like a lap-steel and played all of the chordal and fretboard formations in an approach all his own rendered him truly innovative and courageous to guitar players and music fans everywhere.

He became an authentic six-string hero instantly.

The fact that he was blinded before the age of one from a rare cancer, the sole significance in forcing him to develop such an atypical playing style, shed a light of reverence on his amazing talent. Though he went on to live a rewarding and fruitful existence - garnering respect and admiration from fellow musicians and fans worldwide - cancer once again surfaced, taking him at the age of 41 on March 2nd, 2008.

The shining light to the story is that his musical legacy will live on, and his memory will fill the minds and hearts of many for years to come.

Mess Of Blues is very much a part of that legacy.

The disc is a collection of classic blues songs and a few good old bluesy rockers, most of which were live favorites of Jeff Healey fans. The album opens with a rollicking rendition of "I'm Tore Down," with Jeff's scorching lead work adorning the whole song. The band then slows it down for an eight-minute version of "How Blue Can You Get." They display an ability to connect in this slow blues classic, and show that they're at home in authentic blues territory. The rhythm guitar playing of Dan Noordermeer and the keyboard work of Dave Murphy are prominent here. Healey drives it home in the latter part of the song with a sweet and terse lead solo, an attribute of a genuine bluesman.

They take the atmosphere out of the city clubs and move it down to bayou country for "Jumbalaya," with bassist Alec Fraser on the vocals. The classic Americana song segues nicely into the earthy "The Weight," a respectful cover that easily would appease The Band and writer Robbie Robertson.

"Mess O' Blues" comes across as the pivotal blues song on the album, as solid musicianship completes this concise, vibrant number. Jeff's licks flow fluidly alongside his spirited voice. Pianist Dave Murphy is all over his own composition, "It's Only Money," vocally and instrumentally. His electrifying piano phrasing, in the vein of Jerry Lee Lewis, lights the room on fire. Jeff cuts loose in the latter part of the song with a scorching lead solo.

An interesting rendition of Neil Young's "Like A Hurricane" transpires next, one of only a couple of tracks that stray from blues territory on the album. The band enters slow blues mode for "Sittin' On Top Of The World," which highlights the talents of both Healey and Murphy once again. The album is complete with a rollicking "Shake, Rattle, and Roll."

Mess Of Blues is an exciting collection from the Jeff Healey Band. In the liner notes Jeff wrote: "I am most grateful to Thomas Ruf for making it possible for me to record this CD, a straightforward, straight-ahead collection of performances by a band of which I'm very proud to be a part."

We all thank you, Jeff, for bestowing upon us a lot of great music over the years. Thanks for the memories.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fitting Epitaph, March 23, 2008

By	MPQ (San Diego, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

This live disc is one of the finest releases of his career after years of not having much of anything out on CD. A fine collectioin of songs, even though they're all covers they're done in his style. Great guitar and singing as well. It's sad that he won't be around to enjoy the good reviews I know he'll get, but this is a great epitaph.
PS - check him out on the DVD "Live At Montreux." Some great live performances there as well.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Final Album By a True Bluesman!!!!!, May 20, 2008

By	J. R Sategna (Martinez, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Its a shame Jeff died recently. This album shows that Jeff had a lot of music left in him. All songs are covers, but he makes them his own. Great guitar playing and he selects all types of blues and rock and roll songs. He is a great guitar player, especially when you consider the way he plays the guitar--on his lap and blind as a bat!!!!!! Incredible!!!! Just listen to the way he plays the Neil Young song--Like a Hurricane--the singing and the guitar solos are the best I have heard of this song done by someone other than Neil Young. You got to have this album if you love Jeff Healey--may he rest in peace up there jamming with Hendrix and Rory Gallagher.