Sandy Mack - Still Going Strong - Blues Leaf Records 2009

The disc starts smooth with "Drunked," a gentle Blues about the hangover from hell. Mack's harp, Kid Ramos' guitar, and Jumpin' Jack Strobel's organ are all low and slow, providing an easy entry into the album. Good stuff here. Ramos actually guests on six of the 14 tracks on Still Going Strong, including both "Drunked" and the follow up Jump Blues "Never Enuff Rockin'" a track where Ramos really shines.

Sandy Mack's voice isn't rough and jagged. On the contrary, it's smooth and complimented nicely by his harp playing, which sounds great. Mack get's down to it on the instrumental "Let's Work," the disc's first cover song. Other covers on the album include "It's My Life Baby," Mack's wonderful take on Little Walter's instrumental "Shake Dancer," and "Wondering," a song that features one of Sandy Mack's strongest vocal efforts, and some more excellent harp.

"Life Boat" is a Jazzy original highlighted by John Pittas' electric piano work and a fiery guitar solo turned in by Andy Reidel. It has a cool, smoky feel, like several of the songs throughout Still Going Strong. "Get Right" is one of my favorites from Still Going Strong, laced with great harp, more of Kid Ramos' guitar work, and some great songwriting.

"Turn My Luck Around" is a funny tune, although personally, I could do without the backup vocals. (I did get a good laugh, though, when they said "Don't be such a dumbass." Hilarious) That's followed up with "Boogie Now," a tune derived from the classic John Lee Hooker style. Still Going Strong switches gears many times throughout it's course, and several styles are represented; whether it's the boogie, Jazz, Jump Blues, or the swampy "Ghost Stories," which is built around Ira Kaye's pounding drum beat and John Pittas' "Cheesy Organ" (so listed in the liner notes.)

The CD ends with a trio of Sandy Mack penned originals: "Road Warrior," an autobiographical tune about the life of a traveling musician (with some killer piano by Strobel); "That's Not Right," which showcases some stinging Ramos fretwork; and "Love Explosion," another personal favorite on the disc.

Still Going Strong is just that, a strong offering from Sandy Mack and company, clocking in at just under an hour in length. It's interesting that it took so long between albums; but that's not unheard of, and the new disc is a great effort, so I'm certainly not complaining.

Standout Tracks: "Love Explosion," "Shake Dancer," "Wondering" and "Get Right"

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