Mighty Sam McClain

Soul Survivor:  The Best of Mighty Sam McClain

Mighty Sam McClain proclaims
the gospel of blues and deep soul

CD Review by Sonny Boy Lee
COPYRIGHT ©1999-2002

Straight from the great '60s soul music era comes Mighty Sam McClain, who reigns as a current leading practitioner of deep soul music.  Soul Survivor is a collection of McClain's material spanning from 1992 through 1997.  Simply put, this CD drips with soul and emotion.  Writing for Real Blues magazine, reviewer Andy Grigg observed:  "His music is as vital and contemporary as it has ever been."   The frequent inclusion of McClain both as headliner and performer on numerous blues festival line ups is easily justified by this album alone.

Of the 13 cuts, my favorite is "What You Want Me to Do."  A true low-down, back in the alley, kick ass song, it starts with a funky guitar intro by Kevin Barry and builds into a powerful soul anthem.

Track 12 is another stand out.   "When the Hurt Is Over," delivers a down home, swampy, slow blues complete with some fine slide guitar interplay with piano and guitar.

McClain openly proclaims his faith and unabashed belief in God on three rousing gospel tracks.   This spiritual rekindling took place in the mid-1970s, according to the liner notes, when McClain's musical career bottomed out and he was reduced to mopping restaurant floors.   McClain's commitment to God remains an integral part of his life and music today.

Soul Survivor is a wonderful balance of blues, soul ballads, gospel and up tempo, horn-driven masterpieces.   Overall superb musicianship is offset with great horn arrangements and lots of Hammond B-3.  This CD is a must for any deep soul collection.

All of the tracks were recorded direct to two-track analog tape at 30 IPS and mastered by Bernie Grundman utilizing the Sony Direct Stream Digital system.

Soul Survivor
AudioQuest Music

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Review Copyright © 1999-2004 Sonny Boy Lee
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Album cover and Mighty Sam McClain photo Copyright © 1999-2004 AudioQuest Music.
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