Vin Mott – Rogue Hunter

15-03-2022

Vin Mott is currently a rising star out of the Austin, TX music scene who is building a reputation for his loyalty to the traditional sounds of the Chicago/Memphis/Delta style blues and his talent as a singer, harmonica player, band leader and hard work ethic. Mott's records have received worldwide radio play and praises from the blues world's top publications. How nice it is to come across a blues album every now and then, which was recorded live in the studio without fuss. With a sound that is just pure and comes straight from the blues heart. A sound that is just as good as the old work of The Fabulous Thunderbirds or Little Charlie & The Nighttcats. I come across that sound on Vin Mott's second album. A singer and harmonica player, originally from uiyPequannoc, NOW, and currently residing in New Jersey. As mentioned, Vin recorded his new album live in the studio with Dean Shot on guitar, Steve "Pretty Boy" Kirsty on bass and Matt Niedbalski on drums. With the greatest of ease Vin and his buddies navigate through various types of blues such as Chicago blues, Memphis blues, Texas blues but also New Orleans rhythm and blues. The album contains all their own songs and starts with 'Car Troubles Made Me A Good Blues Singer'. A hilarious title of course for a languid funky blues shuffle, which is introduced by Vin's pumping harmonica. Dean Shot's guitar licks reminded me of Danny Adler's work. Vin bellows, grinds and roars vigorously on his harmonica. 'Give Me Cornbread' is a relaxed pumping Chicago blues in which the band proves to be a solid swing machine in the style of the old Fabulous Thunderbirds. After a false start, the Elmore James-esque 'Rogue Hunter' kicks off with cutting slide guitar work and Vin's searing harmonica. Then it's time for an ice cold beer in 'Ice Cold Beer'. A swinging roarable shuffle that will do well in many bars and that is guaranteed to make you thirsty. 'Honey' is a languid country blues in which Vin is very curious about what will be under his girlfriend's skirt. Vin turns out to be as rancid as a bear in all this languor, which can also be heard in his languorous-sounding harmonica. Then we'll do a happy dance in the graveyard to the swinging blues 'Whistlin' By The Graveyard' with a prominent role for the slide guitar and the slacking bass. Vin's sucking and pumping harmonica doesn't go unnoticed either. 'Paterson Is Crumblin'' is a beauty of a slow blues with piercing guitar work and screeching, loud harmonica. The influence of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Little Charlie is well reflected in the swinging rhythm & blues shuffle 'I Got The Bues On My Mind'. Then Von's harmonica rips and moans hard again in the uptempo rocking blues 'Countin' On Them Chickens'. Tex Mex influences can be heard in the soul ballad 'Fire ToYour Flame'. Especially because of the vocals, which remind of Doug Sahm and Freddy Fender. 'Please, mr. Devil' has a New Orleans Funeral March-like rhythm and is a dark and menacingly trudging track.| The closing track 'Greaser' contains quite a few Link Wray riffs. The song sounds like a newfound obscure garage rock classic starring Vin's ripping harmonica. A wonderful, pure blues rock album with music that sounds like the blues should sound. Raw and from the heart !!! "This is a blues album. It was recorded live in a makeshift studio with minimal overdubs. Blues listeners often forget that what makes this music great and gives it charm is its flaws and lack of heavy production. This music is meant to be tough, haunting, joyous, and heart-felt. At no point in making this album did I feel like we were making a perfect product. We made a righteous album that pays respects honoring the pioneers of the blues genre while making the style our own. Thank you for supporting this album and I hope you will support live local and touring blues where ever you are." (Vin Mott). Lo and behold what emerges from the depths of The New Jersey Delta, but an original bluesman steeped in the authentic blues tradition. Vin Mott and his band bring a blues sound rooted in the past, but that speaks of the present. Vin wrote and arranged all the songs found here. You can hear snippets of guitar and harmonica that sound like they were delivered by the ghosts of blues masters of the past. Vin's hearty voice combine with his harmonica skills to create something fresh and vital. Guitarist Dean Shot is right on the money when playing regular or slide guitar. Drummer Matt Niedbalski and bass player Steve "Pretty Boy" Kirsty combine to provide a solid foundation. This recording was recorded mainly live off the floor solely with the core band, no outside help. Vin digs right in with his inspiration that we can all relate to-"Car Troubles Made Me A Good Blues Singer". Yes he is in possession of an appropriate set of pipes for the job, nicely rough. He's no slouch in the harmonica department either. the band just chugs along with him. "Give Me Cornbread" keeps the momentum charging along. The title track is a slide guitar infused blues shuffle. Shades of Elmore James here. The harmonica playing shines in this testosterone tale. "Ice Cold Beer" is a guaranteed concert crowd pleaser. It's a shuffle with band answer vocals. With it's ever present wailing harp and old school blues guitar this is the real deal. The guys evoke Slim Harpo's loping swamp groove on the mainly single entendre "Honey". "Whistlin' By The Graveyard" gallops along with slapped upright bass. "Paterson Is Crumblin'" is a slow lament about the decrepit state of Paterson, New Jersey. The band rips right into the shuffling "I Got The Blues On My Mind". That Dean Shot can sure unleash some great guitar alongside Vin's beefy harmonica riffing. An old timey blues vibe is achieved on "Countin' On Them Chickens". A fine change of pace is delivered in the R&B flavored "Fire To Your Flame" with its' pretty harmonica and guitar melodies. Vin spins a tale of trading his soul to the devil for harmonica skills in "Please Mr. Devil", a song that features cool slide guitar-harmonica unison playing. On the instrumental "Greaser" Link Ray guitar meets blues harmonica for a fifties style sound. These guys manage to merge the essence of old timey blues to create something fresh and vital. No blues-rock posers here bull shucking about life on the road. They are putting down the real sound.

1. Car Troubles Made Me A Good Blues Singer 03:21

2. Give Me Cornbread 03:45

3. Rogue Hunter 03:41

4. Ice Cold Beer 03:19

5. Honey 03:04

6. Whistlin' By The Graveyard 02:24

7. Paterson Is Crumblin' 05:34

8. I Got The Blues On My Mind 03:16

9. Countin' On Them Chickens 02:58

10. Fire To Your Flame 03:01

11. Please, Mr. Devil 04:26

12. Greaser 04:02