Exciting six piece blues ensemble from Chicago with Billy Boy Arnold, Carl Weathersby and Zora young as guests. Pierre is a virtuoso on harp with Barrelhouse Chuck on keys, Chris Winters on guitar and Katherine Davis on vocals.

15 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Chicago Style, BLUES: Electric Blues



Details:
Led by virtuoso Pierre Lacocque on harp, this Chicago-based band focusses on ensemble work. Every instrument collaborates to create a weave that harks from the days of Howlin' wolf, Muddy Waters and Jimmy Rogers. On this album, Barrelhouse Chuck adds on the piano what Otis Spann, Little Brother Montgomery and Leroy Carr gave us in the 50's. Carl Weathersby and Chris Winters work magic on the guitar and Kenny Smith keeps the pulse on drums like his father (Willie Smith) did for 15 years with Muddy Waters.

Pierre wrote most of the material and blows powerfuk and melodic harp. Billy Boy calls him a virtuoso and Niles Frantz of WBEZ's Chicago Public radio calls him a budding legend. Katherine Davis sings her heart out; Billy Boy Arnold and George Baze sing several tunes with great conviction and Zora Young swings us in her inimitable Chicago blues style for a great song.
George Baze died shortly after the studio recording and before the release of this CD. It is dedicated to his memory.

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Here is what the critics say:
PRESS REVIEWS/QUOTES
HANDYMAN

HANDYMAN WAS VOTED « BEST CD OF THE YEAR » BY REAL BLUES MAGAZINE

« MISSISSIPPI HEAT delivers its traditional urban blues with a freshness, energy and competence that makes them a treasure on todayâs Chicago scene. HANDYMAN is packed with quality original numbers presented by an all-star line-up that keeps its ego in check and truly works as a musical team. »
- LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE

« This music is soulful, honest, and visionary. It soars with ecstatic celebration! With Pierreâs extraordinary harp playing, Katherine Davisâ super vocals, and the high energy and vitality of so many accomplished players, MISSISSIPPI HEAT is THE blueprint for blues lovers everywhere. ⦠A creative triumph.»
- NEW YORK BLUES SOCIETY

« Perfectly integrated ensemble work ⦠they are the keepers of the 50âs style Chicago blues flame. »
- ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER

« Listening to the 13 original cuts is like a trip back in time â to a better place, quite frankly, that most of todayâs blues bands are willing to go. »
- ROCK & BLUES NEWS

« The 13 tracks on this CD â all originals â are patterned after the classics Chicago blues sound. Pierre Lacocqueâs harp is soaring, particularly on the instrumental âCornell Street Boogie â. Keyboardist Chuck Goering is commanding on the piano and organ, as is George Baze, former long-time member of Junior Wellsâ band on guitar. The band is tight, and the lyrics are as poignant as blues lyrics get. »
- DETROIT BLUES REVIEW

« Some of the best work that I have done ⦠Pierre playing is beautiful. Awesome! He is a genius on the harp⦠»
- BILLY BOY ARNOLD, LIVING BLUES LEGEND

« Best MISSISSIPPI HEAT release ever! »
- MICK MARTIN (KXJZ-FM, SACRAMENTO, CA)

« This fantastic harmonica-driven band MISSISSIPPI HEAT ⦠works as a true ensemble in all apects of the production and performance. ⦠Pierre is not the only reason to get this CD â the vocals by Katherine Davis and support of the other players are strong â but he is a significant one with his mastery of the instrument and tone that wonât quit. »
- AMERICAN HARMONICA NEWSLETTER

« MISSISSIPPI HEAT provides a yardstick for Chicago Blues. Every band that claims to play Chicago Blues should strive to be as good as MISSISSIPPI HEAT. »
- BLUES ON STAGE


FRENCH REVIEWS

« Katherine Davis (est) une découverte majeure, et (fait) plus que remplacer Deitra Farr. ⦠(Pierre) a sa propre façon de jouer, puissante et subtile á la fois, étalant ses soli sur des notes isolées persistantes, quâil libère au point culminant, donnant libre cours a sa créativité. HANDYMAN est le chef dâÅuvre du groupe. ⦠Les treize titres (sont) un régal ⦠Quant a Pierre lui-même, il sâaffirme en véritable leader, omniprésent et efficace dans ses interventions, sachant mettre en valeur la qualité exceptionnelle de la troupe réunie. ⦠MISSISSIPPI HEAT est parmi les plus inventifs et créatifs du blues de Chicago des dernières années. »
- ROLLINâ AND TUMBLINâ

« HANDYMAN est sans doute le meilleur disque de Chicago blues de lâannée 1999 ⦠Le changement important de personnel au sein des MISSISSIPPI HEAT nâaltère en rien la qualité musicale du groupe : Que ce soit la nouvelle chanteuse Katherine Davis a la voix mélancolique et mélodieuse, le batteur Kenneth Smith, le bassiste Ike Anderson, pour leur soutien sans faille, le robuste chanteur/pianiste Barrelhouse Chuck, et le chanteur/guitariste George Baze, décédé depuis, ils sont tous a féliciter pour leur prestation . Mais lââme du groupe câest évidemment le Belge Pierre Lacocque aux tonitruants solos dâharmonica, á la fois subtils et puissants, aux phrases dérivées de ses idoles (Little Walter, Shakey Horton) sans pour autant tomber dans le plagiat. ⦠La plupart des titres sont signes pierre Lacocque, qui confirme encore une fois ses qualités dâharmoniciste/producteur/compositeur sur ce disque. Les MISSISSIPPI HEAT font penser a une grande famille de musiciens, voyant partir certains de leurs membres et dâautres arriver, tout en gardant le même esprit, la même joie de jouer quâa leur début. Un superbe disque de Chicago blues ⦠»
- SITâART MAGAZINE

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For more information on Mississippi Heat and its leader, harp player Pierre Lacocque, please refer to the band's website "mississippiheat.net". There you will find an interview with Pierre, pictures of the current line-up, audio and video clips, a press kit, and quotes from the press and professional magazines.
E-mail us at "therealheat@hotmail.com".