There has, it seems, been a cosmic, cultural connection between my home state of California and the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota. Harp man, vocalist, songwriter and band leader Paul Barry gets the connection and carries on this great tradition with his brand-new release entitled Blow Your Cool.

Back in the early 70’s Kim Wilson, who grew up on California’s Central Coast, moved to Minneapolis and became the front man for the band Aces, Straights and Shuffles. Wilson famously made a stop in Austin, Texas, before returning to California in the early 90’s. Wilson was replaced by Los Angeles area native Lynwood Slim in that Twin Cities based blues band. R.J Mischo, who currently lives in Ventura, California, and who has lived off and on in the Golden State for years, got his start in the Twin Cities and played there for twenty years before moving west.

Over the past 40 years or so the blues in Minnesota has been blessed with the cool night air drifting off the Pacific Ocean as much as the frosty sounds associated with the Chicago blues scene that blow in off the great lakes.

On Blow Your Cool, which had its official release on February 23^rd, Barry taps into that swinging sound associated with the modern West Coast blues scene. He gets lots of help from Californians pianist Fred Kaplan and fellow harmonica man Mitch Kashmar. Long time Minnesota resident Wee Willie Walker guests as well and his outstanding vocals can be heard on four tracks here. Walker has had a career renaissance like few others. He has made recent recordings with staples of the Northern California blues scene. Both Kid Andersen of San Jose’s Greaseland studios (where this CD was mastered) and most recently, The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, have made fine albums with Walker.

More than any of that, it is the spirit and soul of Southern California blues man, William Clarke, that is deeply infused in the music of Blow Your Cool. William Clarke touched Barry, and of course Kashmar, who guests on three tunes here including an instrumental entitled Tribute to William Clarke. Both men had personal relationships, as well as professional mentorship from Clarke who left our mortal coil back in November of 1996.

Make no mistake however, it is Barry’s project and his original tunes along with his swinging harmonica stand out on this fine album. He has a fully realized vision of his music and the traditions which he and his fine band uphold here on Blow Your Cool.

Saint Paul based blues stalwart Jeremy Johnson handles all the guitar duties and makes wonderful contributions in that area. It is at his Barking Jack Studios where the album was recorded. Johnson and Barry mixed the album. The sound is simply stunning and, like the album cover art, somewhat reminiscent of a record made in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, by the Blue Note label in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

A mix of Barry originals and covers highlight this set which has Barry heeding the advice of Horace Greely. By going west for inspiration Barry has made a true blues masterpiece. In discussing the new album with Barry, he said, “For my money, some of the best blues musicians ever, came from the west coast. The sound created is second to none. All of the top players can also play the Chicago stuff as well as anyone ever did.”

You will get no argument from me of course and, I might add, that you don’t have to live here in California to play this brand of blues. Paul Barry has just proven that. Blow Your Cool is a wonderful late winter treat from Minnesota. It is an early contender for 2018 Blues Album of the Year and receives my highest recommendation.

- David Mac