Mark Cameron – Blues Factory
10 tracks 39 minutes
Minnesota bluesman Mark Cameron has delivered another sweet album of original tunes showcasing a variety of styles, tempos and approaches to the songs he offers here for the listener’s pleasure. Whether Mark is offering advice, bemoaning things gone wrong, love and happiness, joy or sorrow, he offers up a diverse set of tunes that really give the listener a musical treat with lots to savor.
Mark is on guitar and vocals. Dan Schroeder is on drums, Sheri Cameron is on sax, flute and percussion and Bill Keyes adds harp and vocals. Mark’s partner in life and two long term musical mates, these folks work together to deliver some fine performances. Bass duties are handled by Steve Hansen and Nick Salisbury for the most part; Josh Granowski is on upright bass for track 6.Shane Cox and Zach Miller add horns to a cut and keys by Tommy Barbarella are added to a couple of tracks. Greg Shutte is on drums for a tracks and Sara Renner and Tonya Hughes are backing vocalists on a trio of songs.
The album opens with “The Wrong Thing.” It’s a bouncy cut with some ringing slide work that’s cool. “Too Hot To Boogie” adds more slide, electric guitar and greasy harp. It’s a swinging little number.
The title track is next, a bit swampy with a throbbing beat, the slide is slick, the flute echoes nicely behind the vocals, all adding to a sweet cut that grabs at the listener. “Drink On The Job” follows, a sort of “blues song noir” cut with Cameron telling a story of the woes of drinking on the job. Nice harp work helps make this even more cool.
“Sugar” changes course with a light feel with vocal harmonies and horns in a lilting and uplifting cut. The gears shift again with the greasy and grimy “Can’t Stand Still.” It’s a rocking good time as Cameron and company let their hair down a bit for this number. Lots of nice harp are featured here along with Cameron’s vibrant vocals.
Up next is “Change Your Ways,” a somber and slow blues that showcase Mark’s guitar and vocals. “Friends Like These” follows, changing the mood to a positive one as the harp helps to sell this number.
“Ain’t No Way” slows things down again as guitar, flute and the cadre of vocalist set a darker tone for this song. It’s haunting a well done. “Below The Bottom” closes out the album with a mid tempo, swinging cut. The harp blares and guitar rings out as Cameron and band conclude their set with a great cut.
Cameron has delivered many a fine album and this ranks up near or even at the top of them. There is a great variety of styles and presentations here, showcasing Cameron’s versatility and musical chops. It’s a cool album and well worth your time to listen to it!
