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Mitch Woods

Gumbo Blues

Club 88 Records

Rating: 9

Keeper of The Flame

Mitch Woods was born in Brooklyn, New York, and classically trained at the State University in Buffalo. He fell in love with boogie woogie piano and began his recording career on the west coast in 1984 when he released Steady Date with Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s on Blind Pig.

Woods came to my attention again in 2006 when he released the Big Easy Boogie on his own label. On that CD Woods enlisted the aid of the Fats Domino Band to pay a tribute to Domino. Woods authored eleven new tunes in the style popularized by Fats.

Along for the ride were original band members producer and musical director Dave Bartholomew on trumpet, saxophonist Herb Hardesty, and Earl Palmer on drums. The accompanying DVD is a revelation as it includes rare footage and interviews with Palmer, Hardesty, and Cosimo Matassa, founder of J & M Studios. J & M was the studio that originally recorded New Orleans musicians including Fats, Little Richard, and “Smiley” Lewis. Woods’ work on this album was acknowledged when he received a 2007 Blues Music Award nomination for Piano Player of the Year.

This new album Mitch Woods Gumbo Blues is like a sequel in that it pays tribute to Lewis and Bartholomew. Dave Bartholomew began his own career in 1950 around the same time as Lewis. He later became Lewis’ producer, and Lewis scored with hits written by Bartholomew. Lewis’ biggest hit in 1954 was “Blue Monday.”  Bartholomew left Lewis and became producer for Domino, and in 1956 this song was a hit again, this time for Domino.  Since that time Lewis was overshadowed by Domino until he (Lewis) passed in October of 1966.

All of the songs here were previously recorded by Lewis, but half of them were written by Bartholomew including “Gumbo Blues,” “Ain’t Gonna Do It,” and “I Hear You Knockin’.” Also included is Woods’ version of Lewis’ “Blue Monday” co-written by Bartholomew and Domino. Once again Woods excels on piano, and he is joined by some of New Orleans’ finest. Sax players include Herb Hardesty, Amadee Castenall, and Brian “Breeze” Cayolle. The rhythm section includes Cornell Williamson bass and drummer Eric Bolivar. The retro sounding guitarist is John Fohl.

Woods is multi-talented, and on this recording he keeps the magic of New Orleans R n’ B alive for another generation to enjoy.  This CD is a must for anyone into New Orleans party music.

Richard Ludmerer is a contributing editor to BluesWax. He may be reached by commenting below.