earBuzz Review: Authentic blues is hard to come by. You hear, 'it's a blues band - or 'he's a blues guitar player'. .'i like to singme da blues' - yet - mostly what you get is a homogenized split top butter bread softy center music without any edge that trumpets to the listener, "i know life and I know pain - and I don't care if you listen or not, I have to sing it to make me feel better". That's the blues. The Mescal Sheiks seem to have that in their instrumentation and performance (from harmonica to laid back set and bass) to guitars, horns, and keyboards. But the voice of the Sheiks, on Clabe Hangan, has blues dripping off his vocal chords so fluently that it's probably an electrical hazard when it hits the microphone. The first track, "How Long", gives us a glimpse of the mix of Motown vocal acrobatics and straight blues that's ahead. Background vocals caress the textured tenor, while perfectly distorted harmonica cries. .great. Track 3, "Got to Have Me Two", pleads the case for two women for one man. Track 5, "Fool for You", is a well-produced full band effort about the blues of addiction, whether it's money to a needle or to a woman. Our favorite track is the uptempo number, "Baby Whatcha Do", - straight ahead love. The title track seals the record right - "This World is Not My Home" is a gospel/blues vocal gem with accompanying harmonica. We look forward to more, and to see them live.

Growing out of the Hangan Brothers band, a local blues organization that has charmed southland audiences for years, The Mescal Sheiks pick up the ball and carry on the tradition admirably. They party hearty and boogie tirelessly with lead singer Clabe Hangan at the controls. New Orleans, Chicago, Kansas City and L.A. all come together in this melting pot of blues hues that includes soulful horns, wailing harmonica, fiery guitar, a swingin’ rhythm section, and convincing vocals.

Hangan sings “Honey the Night is Young” with Rick Smith’s harp alongside, reminding us that we’ve been there, done that, and will continue finding a place to have a good time until the world ends. He even mentions The Blue Café in his lyrics, pointing out that we need to get together on a regular basis in order to live our lives to the fullest. Later, he sings “This World is Not My Home” in a solemn reflection that looks for direction. Like the entire program, this is an original song that the band has put together after much soul-searching. Through the song’s lyrics, Hangan asks about society’s role in our lives. Are we alone, or may we count on those around us reliably? The Mescal Sheiks answer his questions indirectly through their music, as they join him in a beautiful musical portrayal that come with deep feeling.

First up is a band out of Los Angeles called The Mescal Sheiks, I was turned onto them from a friend on myspace. Yes, i am a part of that odd and interesting cyberspace universe and I've discovered it's a pretty good place to find new music, some old favorites, and it's constantly growing. Anyhow, the CD is called "This World Is Not My Home" released on Blue Cap Records and I like this little gem...Initially I wasn't sure about it. I knew that the playing was solid, but at first listen the vocals seemed a little thin, but after a couple of re-plays you realize the the singing is actually terrific and suited perfectly to the rural, southern - soul blues, R&B, gospel feel of the disc. Clabe Hangan sings with a relaxed confidence that is a little deceiving,. He's solid throughout with deep emotion and subtle expressiveness. The band too with its core of Rick Solem on keyboards and vocals, Rick Smith on Harmonica and Dean Sterling Guitar and vocals - they are augmented here with various bass, drum, percussion and horn players as well as some extra backing vocals - they are a well equipped and talented bunch, providing heartfelt backing, whether it's a straight blues or a more ethereal old school southern R&B sound- they seem to be just right for each song's style and intent. Never overstated or over powering, they seem to always be right in the pocket keeping a steady groove and driving the vibe home straight through your ears and into the deep reaches of your soul. The Mescal Sheiks are an interesting and talented group and with a bit of luck should receive some great recognition as their music takes hold...
   

This one fine, sophisticated and unique hybrid of influences makes this one album not to be ignored..The Mescal Sheiks are made up of a group of musicians and songwriters based in Los Angeles, who first collaborated on various Hangan Brothers projects. Though California they are, not all started out in the Golden State. Points of origin for the diverse crew, made up of Clabe Hangan (on vocals), Rick Solem (on keyboards and vocals), Rick Smith (on harmonica) and Dean Sterling (on guitar and vocals) vary widely, and include New York, Chicago, and Arkansas. All this makes for some powerful and impressive crosscurrents of which they exploit to the hilt. Like a bowl of fruit tossed into a blender, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Musically, that same principal equals inventiveness, risk-taking and things that are new. The depth of talent on this project is further expanded by bass player Michael Barry, drummer Albert Trepagnier, Jr., guitarist Billy Watts, backing vocalist Elizabeth Hangan, percussionist Billy Sullivan, and the gold standard duo among all horn sections these days, the Texacali Horns- made up of Joe Sublett on tenor sax and Darrell Leonard on trumpet (known for their distinguished work as members of the Phantom Blues Band). Maybe it's the weather, or something else, but there is something unique about a city that can spawn outfits like War and Los Lobos. There is something about both the Hangan Brothers, and now The Mescal Sheiks, that comes from that same fertle soil. This is American music all the way, and it draws life from any number of influences, not the least of which is the blues. Thirteen tunes. Highly recommended.

George P. Seedorff - Big City Blues Magazine Apr/May 2006

   

    “Yeah, Rick Solem is a motherf..... on the piano. I place him right next to The Blasters Gene Taylor in the boogie woogie/blues/New Orleans style of piano playing. He's also an extrmemely talented songwriter. He was recently at my house and played me some of his new songs. Amazing stuff. Sort of like Randy Newman and John Lennon writing songs with Professor Longhair. Hopefully he can get a CD out of his new material and get known for his writing as well as his piano chops. What I've said about Rick Shea also goes for Rick Solem, once a Guilty Man, always Guilty in my book.”

    This group is related to the Hangan Brothers, who we reviewed sometime back there. Clabe Hangan is the singer, and Rick Smith is playing harmonica, but the other musicians are different, and this CD is more of a Soul/Blues/R&B effort where the earlier title was kinda Country Blues. Clabe's wife Elizabeth also sings, giving a Staples Singers feel to some tracks. While the group is listed a 4 piece (keyboards, harmonica, guitar and vocals), extra help is provided by the Texacali Horns and rhythm section players. "Got To Have Me Two" has a nice funky down home feel. Keyboard player Rick Solem also does some of the singing, as on "Better Get Ta Steppin" with a nice two beat feel. All the tunes are original to the group, with Solem having his hands on most, and guitarist Dean Sterling also having a hand in 9 of the 13 tunes. Harmonica player Rick Smith and Hangan also are involved in some of the writing. "Fool For You" has a Taj Mahal ("She Caught The Katy") feel. "Honey The Night Is Young" is a nice lazy shuffle. "Walking To The River" returns to that Gospel feel as does the title song. I like the organ on "Baby Whatcha Do" and "Sugar Hoodoo" has that second line feel, and may be my favorite track."

Marc Bristol - Blue Suede News Summer 2006 Issue #75