Thunder In My Heart by Mississippi Heat

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- SYRACUSE NEWS TIMES

« Deitra Farr sings with convincing passion throughout the mostly original program, and Lacocque’s imaginative harmonica lines always seem to be exactly in the right places, whether he’s flying in a full-blown solo or simply adding a flavorful fill. Stroger and Kirk are as steady a rhythm section as you’re likely to find in these parts, but the real key to MISSISSIPPI HEAT’s swinging style may be the marvelous interplay between guitarists Wheeler and Flynn. They trade licks and alternate rhythm patterns in a manner reminiscent of Chess Records’ sidemen The Aces and later, Robert Jr. Lockwood and Luther tucker in the 50’s. MISSISSIPPI HEAT proves that contemporary blues can be played with power and conviction without resorting to the kind of rock histrionics practiced by many of today’s so-called blues bands. THUNDER IN MY HEART is modern chicago blues at its finest. »

- ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER

«Top honors go to the Chicago-based MISSISSIPPI HEAT. The band is rock-solid rhythmically, but what drives their success is their collective vocal talent. Deitra Farr is the band’s lead vocalist, but guitarists Billy Flynn and James O. Wheeler and bassist Bob Stroger also contribute convincing lead vocals. … Harmonica man Pierre Lacocque has found the thick harp tone needed to anchor works done in the Chicago blues tradition; he plays with discretion, usually as a rhythm instrument or a one-man horn section. Sounds great. »

- BLUES ACCESS

« Deitra Farr’s vocals are, quite simply, a revelation! »

- BLUES GAZETTE

« MISSISSIPPI HEAT is one of those bands that defies cliches because each new CD is better than the last, and that is true with THUNDER IN MY HEART. While Pierre Lacocque’s superlative harmonica technique and musical imagination provide the initial draw, it is further reinforced with Deitra Farr’s evocative singing. … One of the first things that the listener notices about Pierre’s harp playing is that he does not play conventional riffs or familiar licks. The harp fills and embellishments go with the individual songs … He plays like his music is a part of the arrangement, not like he’s filling ‘holes’ in the music. … Horn players could take a few lessons from Pierre on the lines he uses. »

- AMERICAN HARMONICA NEWSLETTER

« Deitra Farr’s smooth vocals are enhanced by solid backing from such seasoned vets as bassist Bob Stroger, guitarist James Wheeler and drummer Allen Kirk. Harmonicist (and band sparkplug) Pierre Lacocque has got a great sound and ex-Legendary Blues Band guitarist Billy Flynn’s subtle solos typify this Chicago band’s easy approach to the blues. With songs and vocals by Farr, Wheeler, Stroger and Flynn, this band goes from strength to strength. »

- LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE

« MISSISSIPPI HEAT is for me one of the nicest thing that has happened to Chicago blues these last years. They form a real BAND in the best tradition of the Chicago blues of the 50’s, a band where all individuals have their room to express their musical abilities … All the members are among the best musicians around, and I find it so enjoyable to hear the guitars of James Wheeler and of Billy Flynn which are not only excellent lead guitar players but also play so intellegently rhythm guitars in a way which should reminds us how important rhythm guitars can be in Chicago blues. … (Pierre) is definitely one of my preferred harp players… Highly recommended. »

- NETNEWS (BLUES-L)

FRENCH REVIEWS

« (Deitra Farr est) une chanteuse a la classe folle, nourrie de gospel, aussi fière qu’elle est puissante … »

- LE SOIR (BRUXELLES)

« (Deitra Farr) est une chanteuse extraordinaire …THUNDER IN MY HEART se révèle un délice pour le cœur, l’oreille et la partie du pied qui tape quand le reste est heureux. D’emblée on est saisi par cet harmonica qui nous suivra tout au long du disque. … Bravo Monsieur Lacocque. Deitra Farr, elle, fait figure de proue á la voix irrésistiblement attachante. … Il en résulte une œuvre respirant la ferveur, l’authenticité, la maitrise de l’exécution et la perfection dans les détails. … C’est plus que bon. »

- LES AMIS DU BLUES (QUEBEC)

« Deitra Farr … rien de moins que la meilleure voix de blues a Chicago ! »

- LA TRIBUNE (SHERBROOKE, CANADA)

« Il est vraiment splendide cet album. … Deitra Farr est admirable parce qu’elle émeut la ou d’autres vont jouer sur les émotions. »

- LE DEVOIR (MONTREAL)

«L’harmoniciste belge Pierre Lacocque, cheville ouvrière de la formation … a admirablement assimile le son du Chicago Blues des grandes années. Bien que fortement influencé par Little Walter, il est loin des clichés que l’on entend parfois chez les harmonicistes de blues de la West Coast. MISSISSIPPI HEAT est l’exemple même de la formation collective au sein de laquelle les musiciens sont au service du groupe. … Billy Flynn est incontestablement un des meilleurs guitaristes de blues actuellement actifs : absolument pas ‘flashy’, il fait preuve d’une finesse de jeu, possède un attaque efficace, et produit des soli inventifs … James Wheeler, frère de l’harmoniciste Golden Wheeler, le complète parfaitement a la guitare, quant a Bob Stroger, son statut de meilleur bassiste du Chicago Blues, il l’a acquis au cours des décennies … (Deitra Farr a ici) un répertoire intelligent qui lui permet d’exprimer, au travers de son chant, la profondeur de son talent. Pas gueularde pour un sous … elle s’impose sans conteste comme une des grandes dames du blues. »

- JAZZ IN TIME (LIEGE)

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Check out other Mississippi Heat CDs and LIVE DVD on cdbaby.com

For more information on Mississippi Heat and its leader, harp player Pierre Lacocque, please refer to the band's website "mississippiheat.net". There you will find an interview with Pierre, CDs for sale, pictures of the current line-up, audio and video clips, a press kit, and quotes from the press and professional magazines.

E-mail us at "therealheat@hotmail.com".

Average Customer Review: 5