“a cool, acoustic country blues release”
-B-Man
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Meet Me In The Middle, from Erin Harpe, and it's a cool, acoustic country blues release. Opening with self penned, All Night Long, Harpe on acoustic slide and lead vocal, backed by Jim Countryman on ukulele bass and backing vocals. With a slight boogie beat and a touch of swing, this is a cool opener. Sippie Wallace's Woman Be Wise is a great showcase for Harpe's vocals and her guitar work is clean and tight. Lucille Bogan, well know for her suggestive lyrics, penned I Hate That Train Called the M&O, and Harpe does a great job of delivering the goods with a powerful voice and tight blues riffs. On blues classic, Rollin' and Tumblin' Harpe hangs tight on slide over the thumping bass line of Countryman. A cool interpretation, possibly my favorite on the release. Geeshie Wiley's country blues track, Pick Poor Robin Clean, has a lot of spunk and piedmont playing, accompanied by Harpe on kazoo gives the track real spunk. Next up is Memphis Minnie's What's the Matter With the Mill, a great little track and Harpe delivers it nicely. With cool little acoustic riffs and pure vocals, the release is steady and cool. Wrapping the album is original track, One Fine Day, with super vocal harmonies and clean, crisp guitar picking. Solid closer for a solid release.