The Chicago Sun-Times called Mississippi Heat "Quite simply the hottest band in Chicago today." Sextet led by Pierre Lacocque (harp), with Deitra Farr, James Wheeler, Billy Flynn, Allen Kirk, and Bob Stoger.

14 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Chicago Style, BLUES: Guitar Blues



Details:
THUNDER IN MY HEART was released in 1995. This is the band's third CD. The sound quality and song material is particularly good here. So is the inspiration from all the band members - Deitra Farr on vocals, and the same musicians as in LEARNED THE HARD WAY (1994). By this time the band was tight and well rehearsed. An exciting set of 14 original tunes!
THUNDER IN MY HEART marks the first time bass man Bob Stroger records his singing voice (a cover tune called "Loan Me Train Fare" with additional lyrics from Bob, and one written for him by Pierre Lacocque called "Don't Dare Call").

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Here is what the critics say:
PRESS REACTION/REVIEWS
THUNDER IN MY HEART

« MISSISSIPPI HEAT provides the next best thing to a time machine. »
- SYRACUSE NEWS TIMES

« Deitra Farr sings with convincing passion throughout the mostly original program, and Lacocqueâs imaginative harmonica lines always seem to be exactly in the right places, whether heâs flying in a full-blown solo or simply adding a flavorful fill. Stroger and Kirk are as steady a rhythm section as youâre likely to find in these parts, but the real key to MISSISSIPPI HEATâs swinging style may be the marvelous interplay between guitarists Wheeler and Flynn. They trade licks and alternate rhythm patterns in a manner reminiscent of Chess Recordsâ sidemen The Aces and later, Robert Jr. Lockwood and Luther tucker in the 50âs. MISSISSIPPI HEAT proves that contemporary blues can be played with power and conviction without resorting to the kind of rock histrionics practiced by many of todayâs so-called blues bands. THUNDER IN MY HEART is modern chicago blues at its finest. »
- ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER

«Top honors go to the Chicago-based MISSISSIPPI HEAT. The band is rock-solid rhythmically, but what drives their success is their collective vocal talent. Deitra Farr is the bandâs lead vocalist, but guitarists Billy Flynn and James O. Wheeler and bassist Bob Stroger also contribute convincing lead vocals. ⦠Harmonica man Pierre Lacocque has found the thick harp tone needed to anchor works done in the Chicago blues tradition; he plays with discretion, usually as a rhythm instrument or a one-man horn section. Sounds great. »
- BLUES ACCESS

« Deitra Farrâs vocals are, quite simply, a revelation! »
- BLUES GAZETTE

« MISSISSIPPI HEAT is one of those bands that defies cliches because each new CD is better than the last, and that is true with THUNDER IN MY HEART. While Pierre Lacocqueâs superlative harmonica technique and musical imagination provide the initial draw, it is further reinforced with Deitra Farrâs evocative singing. ⦠One of the first things that the listener notices about Pierreâs harp playing is that he does not play conventional riffs or familiar licks. The harp fills and embellishments go with the individual songs ⦠He plays like his music is a part of the arrangement, not like heâs filling âholesâ in the music. ⦠Horn players could take a few lessons from Pierre on the lines he uses. »
- AMERICAN HARMONICA NEWSLETTER

« Deitra Farrâs smooth vocals are enhanced by solid backing from such seasoned vets as bassist Bob Stroger, guitarist James Wheeler and drummer Allen Kirk. Harmonicist (and band sparkplug) Pierre Lacocque has got a great sound and ex-Legendary Blues Band guitarist Billy Flynnâs subtle solos typify this Chicago bandâs easy approach to the blues. With songs and vocals by Farr, Wheeler, Stroger and Flynn, this band goes from strength to strength. »
- LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE

« MISSISSIPPI HEAT is for me one of the nicest thing that has happened to Chicago blues these last years. They form a real BAND in the best tradition of the Chicago blues of the 50âs, a band where all individuals have their room to express their musical abilities ⦠All the members are among the best musicians around, and I find it so enjoyable to hear the guitars of James Wheeler and of Billy Flynn which are not only excellent lead guitar players but also play so intellegently rhythm guitars in a way which should reminds us how important rhythm guitars can be in Chicago blues. ⦠(Pierre) is definitely one of my preferred harp players⦠Highly recommended. »
- NETNEWS (BLUES-L)


FRENCH REVIEWS

« (Deitra Farr est) une chanteuse a la classe folle, nourrie de gospel, aussi fière quâelle est puissante ⦠»
- LE SOIR (BRUXELLES)

« (Deitra Farr) est une chanteuse extraordinaire â¦THUNDER IN MY HEART se révèle un délice pour le cÅur, lâoreille et la partie du pied qui tape quand le reste est heureux. Dâemblée on est saisi par cet harmonica qui nous suivra tout au long du disque. ⦠Bravo Monsieur Lacocque. Deitra Farr, elle, fait figure de proue á la voix irrésistiblement attachante. ⦠Il en résulte une Åuvre respirant la ferveur, lâauthenticité, la maitrise de lâexécution et la perfection dans les détails. ⦠Câest plus que bon. »
- LES AMIS DU BLUES (QUEBEC)

« Deitra Farr ⦠rien de moins que la meilleure voix de blues a Chicago ! »
- LA TRIBUNE (SHERBROOKE, CANADA)

« Il est vraiment splendide cet album. ⦠Deitra Farr est admirable parce quâelle émeut la ou dâautres vont jouer sur les émotions. »
- LE DEVOIR (MONTREAL)

«Lâharmoniciste belge Pierre Lacocque, cheville ouvrière de la formation ⦠a admirablement assimile le son du Chicago Blues des grandes années. Bien que fortement influencé par Little Walter, il est loin des clichés que lâon entend parfois chez les harmonicistes de blues de la West Coast. MISSISSIPPI HEAT est lâexemple même de la formation collective au sein de laquelle les musiciens sont au service du groupe. ⦠Billy Flynn est incontestablement un des meilleurs guitaristes de blues actuellement actifs : absolument pas âflashyâ, il fait preuve dâune finesse de jeu, possède un attaque efficace, et produit des soli inventifs ⦠James Wheeler, frère de lâharmoniciste Golden Wheeler, le complète parfaitement a la guitare, quant a Bob Stroger, son statut de meilleur bassiste du Chicago Blues, il lâa acquis au cours des décennies ⦠(Deitra Farr a ici) un répertoire intelligent qui lui permet dâexprimer, au travers de son chant, la profondeur de son talent. Pas gueularde pour un sous ⦠elle sâimpose sans conteste comme une des grandes dames du blues. »
- JAZZ IN TIME (LIEGE)

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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".