Mark 'Mississippi Slide' Jeghers - Slide Ahead (2016)

Ten years ago, when I first started recording Blues music, I planned to make a single solo Blues album. I figured it would include mostly covers of classic Blues favorites, a few original tunes, and some Christian Blues songs to round it all out. That was the plan.
I liked the idea of an eclectic album with a mix of secular and Christian songs. It matched my philosophy of how Christian artists should operate: no harsh dividing line between the secular and the spiritual. All together in one blended package, just like the real life that God gives us day to day.
It was a good plan. But then a problem came up. A really good problem. The most wonderful blessed problem I ever could have hoped for. You see, the Crimson Blues band got started, and we began playing High Octane Christian Blues with reckless abandon.
What followed was the most prolific and creative songwriting period in my entire life. Never before did I get so inspired and crank out so many songs. And they were not just Blues songs - they were Christian Blues songs. High Octane Christian Blues songs, and lots of them!
In my High School and College days, I wrote more bad songs than good. But now, decades later, things were different. Not only was I writing more songs, they were actually worth keeping. And they were all about Jesus.
And here is why it became such a problem: it could never all fit on one CD.
It was then I realized there had to be two solo CD albums. "The Bluez Projekt" was the CD where all my secular recordings would go. And all my new Christian Blues songs would go on this album: "Slide Ahead".
Most of these songs are originals, touching on many different styles of Blues. There is a strong dose of swampy Delta Blues, along with some Blues Rock and even some Southern Rock. Much of it is experimental in one way or another, including the use of a homemade Soup Can guitar! And all of it is laid at the Foot of the Cross.
"Slide Ahead" owes its very existence to the God-given inspiration that came from the Crimson Blues band. Though these are solo recordings that I made alone, my bandmates and the environment of divine inspiration made all the difference. Having God's Hand of Blessing, being surrounded by those incredible Christian musicians and brothers... how could such a body of musical work not come out of it?
These songs turned out exactly how I wanted to hear them played. They are something I can leave behind when I leave this world. I am so amazingly blessed to have been able to create this truly unique Christian Blues album. I hope it blesses you too.