Mark Hummel Allstars – Road Dog
Rockinitus Records
14 tracks – 60 minutes
Mark Hummel was born on the East Coast but grew up in Los Angeles. He took an interest in the blues harmonica, in high school and became further enamored with the blues genre as he discovered the originators Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Little Walter and many more. That was followed after seeing three blues legends, Charlie Musselwhite, Brownie McGhee, and James Cotton, perform. He would later work with all three in numerous performances.
IN 1976, Mark and Mississippi Johnny Waters formed The Blues Survivors in Berkley, California. By 1985, The Blues Survivors were a regularly touring band. The group has never stopped since, although the performers in the band have changed frequently. band members have included Sue Foley, Rusty Zinn, and Anthony Paule among many others. Mark has received two Blues Music Awards for Best Traditional Blues Album and Best Blues Album for his 2014 release Remembering Little Walter, which was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Blues Album. He was also nominated for a Blues Music Award Best Instrumental – Harmonica in 2019. Mark has been featured on over thirty recording since 1985.
The Allstars are exactly that. Eight songs were recorded in 2025, and one (track 4) in 2024. The remaining five are from previously unreleased session in 2015 (tracks 7,12, and 13) and two from 2008 (tracks 10 and 14). Mark plays the harp and lead vocals on all tracks. The 2025 sessions include Anson Funderburgh and Junior Watson on guitars, Wes Starr on drums, Bob Welsh on piano, Kedar Roy on bass. Eric Spaulding plays sax on a few cuts. The 2024 session includes Watson, Starr and Roy with Brett Brandstatt on piano. The 2015 sessions have Funderburgh and Little Charlie Baty on guitars, RW Grigsby on bass, and Starr on drums. Track 10 from 2008 has Rusty Zinn on guitar, Chris Burns on piano, Willie Panker on drums, and Grigsby on bass. The final track, which is from 2008, features Mark with only Randy Rattray on guitar.
The album opens with a cover of “Black Nights” which was written by piano player Fats Washington and first recorded by Lowell Fulson in 1965. The song deals with a failing relationship noting “It used to be I recall you were mine alone. But now I see you wanna be left on your own. You must have someone new to make me go through black nights”. “Jugglin'” is Mark’s story about being a mid-level blues performer who has to handle all of the management tasks of a traveling performer. He states, “I love the music that I make, the guys I play with rock. Makes no difference whether it is empty or lined around the block, that is why I’m jugglin’…my blues away. I work so hard, but I still have dues to pay.” He says, “Real Good Woman” is an ode to my sweetie, since a good mate is so hard to find.” Bob has an excellent piano solo in the middle of this song.
“I Got to Find My Baby” was first written and recorded by Peter Clayton in 1941. Mark’s cover is based on a Little Water version recorded in 1954. He declares “I ain’t had no real good loving since that gal said goodbye”. On Willie Mabon’s 1960 “Why Did It Happen”, Mark blends his chromatic harp with Eric’s sax for a unique sound. He begs her “to come on home”. “Road Dog” again deals with the life on the road for a traveling musician.
Little Walter Jacob’s 1954 song “You Better Watch Yourself” again deals with a failing relationship as Mark states, “Well the people are all talkin’ all over town you don’t love me”. “Rockin’ Blues” was written by and performed by Johnny Otis in 1950. Mark’s cover is based on a Charles Brown version as Mark declares ” I am trying to rock my blues away”. On “Say You Will”, he asks “Why did you say I do, when you meant I don’t?”
Van Morrison’s 2005 song “Gypsy in My Soul” again fits into Mark’s road dog premise of the musician’s lifestyle as a wandering soul and questioning that life on the road. Mark gets a little funky with a touch of jazz on this track. “You Are Right” is another tribute to his wife, Alexis. He compliments her “You fix everything even my broke down car.” and acknowledges the correct marriage response is “You are right and, baby, I am wrong”. Rice “Sonny Boy Williamson II” Miller’s 1965 song, “She’s My Baby” is a nice follow up to the previous song as he declares “She’s my heater when the world is cold”.
Mark says he wanted to do this cover of Jimmy Reed’s 1964 “When You’re Doin’ Alright” “after being backstabbed by a close friend and learned the hard way about keeping stuff to yourself.” He chastises ” Don’t say nothing if you don’t know what you’re talkin’ about”. “Gadjo’s Swing” finishes the album with a jazzy gypsy instrumental featuring Mark’s chromatic harp.
Mark has certainly enlisted a talented group for his Allstars. His ever- present harp is certainly the top attraction in his mastery of the traditional blues. Well-chosen covers mixed with his original songs fit his approach to the genre.
