A diverse, eclectic and stormy blues variety album for the blues lover in everyone. Led by bandleader and song-writer Pierre Lacocque on harp, LEARNED THE HARD WAY is the band's second recording. Considered by some to be their best traditional blues CD.

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



Details:
A Dynamite set. This is the band's second CD. LEARNED THE HARD WAY (1994) was pivotal in launching the band internationally. It received rave reviews from fans, magazines and festival promoters alike (see below).
This line-up consists of Pierre Lacocque on harp, Deitra Farr on vocals, James Wheeler and Billy Flynn on guitars, Bob Stroger on bass, and Allen Kirk on drums. The same line-up can also be found on Mississippi Heat's third CD, THUNDER IN MY HEART (1995), also on sale at cdbaby.com.

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Here is what the critics say:
PRESS REVIEWS/QUOTES
LEARNED THE HARD WAY

âListening to MISSISSIPPI HEATâS latest album is the equivalent of taking a joy ride in a time-machine back to Chicago, circa 1950. ⦠Normally, when I hear that someone or some group is doing âclassicâ blues, like they did in the old days, Iâm a bit suspicious. If they have the emotions, they miss out on the musicality. If they hit the music right on, the human element is missing. But not with MISSISSIPPI HEAT. They fire on all cylinders and keep me coming for more.â
- SOUTHBEND BLUES SOCIETY

âHere we go again blues lovers, CD number two from Chicagoâs MISSISSIPPI HEAT. This disc is one that is hot, mellow, blue and cool ⦠This album introduces the heavenly voice of Deitra Farr, a boatload of complimentary adjectives could be used to credit her singing, but all I can say is she casts a mystical spell that causes me to melt. ⦠Pierre Lacocque is always there, playing chords and smooth riffs that back up and snuggle all around the singers without stepping on anyoneâs toes. Then when he takes steps to the front stage to take his harp solos â Wham â a few hot lightning bolts of precision run right through with dead solid note action, or wailing with a little dirt all the while creating that killer tone that Chicago harp players are known for.â
- TELL IT LIKE IT IS (WISCONSIN BLUES SOCIETY)

âBandleader Pierre Lacocque has developed into a highly sensitive and innovative harmonica player in his own right capable of delivering powerful solos as well as riffing effectively as part of the rhythm section. ⦠(Pierreâs got) a style that took its influence from the creative use of tone as illustrated by the two Walters and refining the Jimmy Reed style of high and low note combinations, gradually developing an awesome technique that is as subtle as it is powerful, often building his solos in sustained single note bursts, always creating and rarely repeating himself.â
- BLUES LIFE JOURNAL

âMISSISSIPPI HEAT has done it again. It proves ones again that it not only is keeping the blues tradition alive but expanding on it. ⦠One of the things you immediately notice about the stellar playing of Pierre Lacocque is that his is more of an ensemble effort than a harp player fronting a band. If you listen to Pierreâs playing, you get the impression that with a coupe of swift blows he could overwhelm the band. But he doesnât do that, and thatâs what makes this harp player and this band different from many. You donât feel the harp is dominating the sound to the detriment of the players or singers.â
- AMERICA HARMONICA NEWSLETTER

âIf you like the Chicago blues sounds of the â50s you will have to have this CD. I canât praise it too highly, itâs megastonking. ⦠All of (Deitra Farrâs) vocals are sublimeâ.
- BLUES AND RHYTHM

âOne of Chicagoâs hottest straight-ahead blues bands, MISSISSIPPI HEAT, scores with LEARNED THE HARD WAY.â
- ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER

âIt is difficult to put together a blues band that is traditional yet original, but thatâs what MISSISSIPPI HEAT has done.â
- JAM MAGAZINE


FRENCH REVIEWS

âMISSISSIPPI HEAT, câest ce qui est arrivé de mieux a Chicago depuis le premier album de Lilâ Ed and The Blues Imperials. ⦠Cette formation a le vent dans les voiles. Cette formation, il faut la suivre. Il faut entendre son dernier album, LEARNED THE HARD WAY. ⦠Si le blues a repris son droit de cite, sâil repris du poil de la bête, câest grâce aux musiciens qui composent le MISSISSIPPI HEAT. ⦠Ce groupe de musiciens forme en fait lâun des cinq meilleurs groupes de blues actuellement. ⦠FAMEUXâ
- LE DEVOIR (MONTREAL)

âLEARNED THE HARD WAY est un indiscutable bonheur pour les oreilles avides de guitares rugueuses, dâharmonica brulant et de voix chaudes ⦠Deitra Farr est une extraordinaire chanteuseâ¦â
- LA TRIBUNE (SHERBROOKE, QUEBEC)

âMISSISSIPPI HEAT mérite amplement quâon sây attarde. ⦠Pierre Lacocque fait partie des rares harmonicistes blancs qui ont pleinement assimilé les leçons de Walter Horton, Little Walter et les deux Sonny Boy Williamson: puissance, ingéniosité et finesse dans la construction de ses solos, discrétion efficace dans ses riffs dâaccompagnement.â
- JAZZ IN TIME

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Check out other Mississippi Heat CDs and LIVE DVD on cdbaby.com
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, CDs for sale, 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".