Mitch Woods - Keeper of the Flame (1997)

To be honest I never heard of Mitch Woods. I was searching Johnnie Johnson on eBay and this CD came up. I was the high bidder at $1.97. What I found was a diamond in the ruff.
Jump blues, rock-a-boogie, boogie-woogie - call it what you like, blues fans, to be specific, St. Louis Blues fans and piano lovers will really dig this release by Mitch Woods. But it gets better. Woods is joined by legendary bluesmen: John Lee Hooker – vocal and guitar on the second track; James Cotton – harp on songs 1, 3, 6 & 12; Johnnie Johnson – piano on 4, 7 & 8; Earl King – vocal and guitar on 5 and 10; and Lee Allen – playing saxophone on tracks 9 & 11. Wow, every song has a superstar guest. Personally, I really liked the songs with Johnnie Johnson as these duets have not two hands shuffling on the piano but four hands playing piano – that’s 20 fingers if you aren’t keeping track. To the songs…
Chicago Express is a fast paced song with harmonica (thanks to James Cotton) adding train sounds.
Never Get Out Of These Blues is classic older John Lee Hooker, the music accompaniment (piano and guitar) is minimal, the vocals are fairly mumbled.
Rocket 88 (this has to be the third time I’ve reviewed this song on different recordings) – I like it. It’s a fast, swingin’, head boppin’ song.
Blues Ya ‘Fore I lose Ya is the mellower of the Woods JJ songs. Johnnie was up high the piano, Mitch down low holding the beat. No drums or pianos.
Big Chief reminded me of a Disney song with the piano and whistling intro (remember Jiminy Cricket). The vocals of Earl King were fairly deep and raspy – which in my opinion is how blues should be.
Blues Hangover is great, I dig the song, the harmonica, the vocals – I like it!
Blue Boogie is a really good, slow piano blues with vocal song. It’s JJ all the way.
Full Tilt Boogie a fast paced instrumental and the third song featuring Johnnie Johnson.
Moanin’ n’ Ticklin’ is a blues ‘n’ boogie instrumental duet of piano and sax.
Lonely, Lonely Nights is a flashback to the good old days with the vocals, the guitar solo is slow electric with piano throughout. One of the best songs on the CD.
Jump For Joy is another shweengin instrumental, like #11 it’s all piano and sax.
Blues For Michael – always end on a high note, it leaves the listeners wanting more. This song does that. Piano and harmonica abound, some singing would have been a welcomed addition.