Mitch Kashmar - Crazy Mixed-Up World (1999)

Mitch Kashmar is one of the finest blues singers and harp players in the world today, and a gifted songwriter to boot. But despite unanimous rave reviews for his years of performances on the stages of clubs and festivals up and down the West Coast – and no fewer than fourteen foreign countries – the big breakthrough he’s deserved for long has eluded him until now. Which is not to say he’s deservedly obscure – just ask the harshest critics of all, his fellow blues musicians. He’s shared the stage with some of the biggest names in blues over the years, including Big Joe Turner, Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy Witherspoon, John Lee Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton, and Johnny Adams, among others.

Kim Wilson – no slouch on harp or vocals himself – offered this assessment: “Oh man, is he tough!” Charlie Musselwhite: “Your playing and singing are superb.” John Hammond: “…unbelievable; a great singer and up there with the best harp players I’ve ever heard.” And the late William Clarke had this to say: “Out of all the younger generation of blues harp players, Mitch Kashmar is my favorite. He’s also a first-class vocalist — his singing really knocks me out.” And Stevie Ray Vaughan paid what must be the ultimate compliment from one musician to another: “Can I sit in?” They’ve all known what the rest of the blues world is about to find out: Mitch Kashmar is a force to be reckoned with in the blues.