Though widely acclaimed as a fuzzmeister guitar wizard, Mike Ross is a man with many a string to his musical bow as performer and producer. This can be seen in his brand-new single and video, which heralds the release of his new album in May.
Mike’s single ‘Shake ‘Em On Down’ is released today -Friday 26th March. It hails from his latest solo album — The Clovis Limit – Tennessee Transition’— due for release on 28th May — which in many ways resonates as a companion to his acclaimed ‘Clovis Limits’ albums.
“’Shake ‘Em On Down’ is a pre-war Delta blues stomper,” Mike explains, “It was written by Mississippi native (and BB King’s cousin) Bukka White. The lyrics tell a stark story of a hard man living in hard times.”
It’s an apt track to debut the new album: “Actually, when I think about it,” Mike reflects, “part of the idea for Tennessee Transition’ came about after listening to Bukka’s ‘Shake ‘Em On Down’ and becoming a bit obsessed with the idea of recording a version myself. It’s such a powerful song and has been done in all kinds of styles over the years: in fact, it was recorded more than once by Bukka himself. In the version that I put together for The Tennessee Transitions, I’ve kind of combined both of the Bukka versions I know: the accompaniment of the latter one to the lyrics of the older recording.”
This new, contemporary solo rendition of the Delta blues classic is as tightly wound as a machine spring — taut, snappy guitar lines backing up a wonderful, deeply growled vocal. It’s gritty and earthy, sublimely spiritual & absolutely authentic in delivery.
Recorded live in the studio, this song delivers to listeners a crystal-clear affirmation of Mike’s prowess as an artist. What’s more, its selection and inclusion as one of two 1930s Delta classics to grace the forthcoming ‘Tennessee Transition’ long-player demonstrates that to Mike there are no other blues more meaningful or genuine than these.
Musing on ‘The Clovis Limit – Tennessee Transitions’, Mike explains, “The thinking behind the session was to take songs from both halves of my Clovis Limit duology and re-imagine them from a solo performance perspective.
“Sitting as it does midway between the rootsy Americana of Clovis 1 and the more urgent southern rock of Pt.2, ‘The Tennessee Transition’ is about the most authentic interpretation of me as a singer and guitarist that I can offer.
“What I’ve ended up with is 4 songs from each album, plus a version of my old song ‘Fixing to Die’ and a few deep Delta blues cuts from Blind WIllie McTell, Charlie Patton and Bukka White.
“I guess I wanted to have a ‘companion work’ to my two Clovis albums: something that would give the listener a bit of an idea as to what influences me as a writer and solo performer and I think the finished product illustrates that very well.”
‘The Tennessee Transition’ follows confidently in the wake of Mike’s critically-acclaimed solo album: ‘The Clovis Limit Pt.2’: a 10-track, all-singing, all-rocking, multi-talented tour de force, made of 24-carat win.
Classic Rock TOTW described the album as an “all-singing, all-slidin’ piece of fuzzed up southern-baked blues rock.”
“It may be a one-man show,” said RAWRAMP, “but you’d never guess, from the sheer compass, scope, and breadth of this adventurous mix of open-air blues, arrogant rock, & flirtatious folk roots.”
As Rock N Load observed: “If you like your Blues-Rock, Southern-Rock, and dig your Classic-Rock then Mike Ross is for you, The Clovis Limit Pt.2 is a gritty piece of songwriting that you can sink your teeth into, steeped In quality and screaming of better days gone by.”
Check out this new slice of Mike Ross: for its own excellence and musical impact; as a fresh take on a Blues classic; also, as a taster of Mike’s forthcoming album and as an insight into the music that’s inspired and fired this highly-creative musical talent.
Mike Ross’ Shake ‘Em on Down is available from Spotify and Amazon, Pre-order the CD’s and vinyl here shop.mikerossmusic.co.uk.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
