Mississippi Trance-style blues from John-Alex Mason. Guest appearances from R.L. Burnside’s grandsons Cedric and Cody Burnside, as well as Lightnin’ Malcolm. Variety of instruments including djembe, balafon, harmonica, violin and purgatory hill harp (??). Mason employs some rapped lyrics on occasion and sounds quite apt within the blues frame. No FCC’s.

*My Favorites*: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10.

1. *(3:27) Mid / Fast. A foot-stomper with tambourine and swirling harmonica. Pure gut-bucket blues, Mississippi-style.
2. (3:33) Mid. An interesting mix of rapping lyrics inside the blues. Trance blues.
3. *(3:52) Slow. A really nice dirge, with piano and plodding drumbeat.
4. *(4:59) Mid / Fast. Cool electric guitar intro. Rapped lyrics phrase and use of a Balafon - a wooden percussion African instrument much like a marimba. Kicks ass.
5. (5:14) Slow / Mid. An interpretation of the Robert Johnson number, slowed down and heartfelt. Nice hollowed harmonica, plodding drums.
6. *(4:15) Slow / Mid. Easy going countryish number with fiddle.
7. (4:55) Mid. Stretched out vocal delivery. Droning electric guitar.
8. *(4:07) Mid / Fast. Another foot-stomper. Tambourine and driving guitar, kickin’ drumbeats, with a djembe by Fara Tolno.
9. *(4:25) Mid / Fast. Mississippi Fred McDowell tune, performed quite respectfully. Driving version, wailing guitar phrases, great backbeat.
10. *(3:40) Slow. Vocal and guitar number. Very mellow and soothing. Nice song to end a set.