The prolific Mark Mumea of The Elgins and The Silver Kings continues to amaze with his output of early electric Chicago blues. This time out, both ensembles perform together in the studio for this performance DVD. This is no small feat as like-minded musicians from as far away as Norway and Italy gathered together this past October in California, along with their American counterparts for this project. Mumea (g/d) brought this inter-continental and inter-generational band together which includes Oyvind Stollifjell  (v/p/g), Alberto Vigliarolo (v/h), Mark Bukich (h) and Jerry Carreaga (b) along with 24 year old wunderkind Big Jon Atkinson (v/d/g/h). Special guest Al Blake (v/h) joins the ensemble and performs a couple of his original numbers.

Blake also shares his thoughts on this music by way of commentary, which is deftly interwoven with the performances.  Blake’s remarks put a much needed perspective and context to music being made in the fall of 2013 which is a throwback to music first heard more than half a century ago. His comments help to shed light on this music that has by and large been shoved into a dark corner by the very people who claim to be keeping the blues flame burning.

The ten song program is augmented by raw footage of an additional five songs from The Elgins Volume 3 sessions which were also recorded at Devil’s Tale Music in San Pedro, California, in October of 2013. The DVD’s final track was recorded in front of a live audience in San Diego, California, on October 18, 2013. Songs by Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Sonny Boy Williamson and others are performed on this DVD using authentic, vintage recording techniques and equipment.

This beautifully designed and packaged DVD includes a four panel insert with liner notes written by yours truly, along with a portion of an interview I did with Al Blake a couple of years ago. This DVD is 78 minutes of the real deal and would make a great stocking stuffer for the hard core blues fan on your gift list. Santa gives this film two thumbs way up. 

- David Mac