{ LUCA BRASI Sleeps With The Fishes } - Joe Mack - guitar, Bob Sweet - guitar, Ron Rummage - bass, Dr. Bob - drums, Joe - percussion.... recorded at Buzz's Open Mic Jam. www.JoeMackBand.com

» highest in charts:   # 146   (38,206 songs currently listed in Blues)
» highest in sub-genre:   # 27   (1,818 songs currently listed in Blues > Straight Ahead Blues)

http://joemack.com/
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well on his new CD Joe Mack flatters the hell out of some of the best to ever pick up a guitar. All originals here, but the influences are clear. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Joe Satriani, and too many more to name, come shining through on this brilliant CD from the local bluesmaster.
The flavor may come from the influences, but the cooking is all Joe Mack. And cook he does. From tracks 1 to 12 and everywhere in between, Joe Mack plays the blues with an unbridled enthusiasm and ability seldom found north of the Mason-Dixon line.
The opening guitar lick of "They Say" is like a fish hook embedding itself into the base of your skull as it slowly reels you in. The title track "When I Think About Love" with Joe's raspy vocals accentuated by the backing vocals of Teisha Sawyer and Bethany Wright. The lighthearted "I Used To Have A Brain (Then I Got Married)" with its classic line "since I became Mr. Right, everything I do is wrong." The depressing "Peace of Mind" conjuring up images of a smoke-filled, darkened blues hall, an aging man at the end of the bar sipping his bourbon, contemplating life's mistakes. The exotic "Song For Jeanne," reminiscent of Stevie Rays' "Riviera Paradise." Beautifully written
and performed.
The all out jam of "Joes' Boogie". The foot stomping "Turnup Joe Zamp" (get it?) and the funky drive of "You Ain't What You Wear." "Hen House Blues" is a throwback to the way the blues used to be, while "Desperate" (I love this song) incorporates the best of everything the blues has become. "Mean Old Woman Blues" truly is as mean as a junkyard dog and the acoustic instrumental "Peppermint Stick" closes the CD with dramatic flair.

Guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, teacher, Joe Mack has a history of performing in a variety of situations for over 25 years. His musical travels have taken him across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Joe also traveled to England in 1993, 1995-1998, where he performed with Gail Moran-Corea (Chick Corea's wife) as well as percussionist extraordinaire Hossam Ramzy (Page & Plant, Peter Gabriel, The Rolling Stones and many others).
He³s also appeared onstage with Guitar Wizard Steve Vai, ( Joe entered his CD in a Guitar Center/ WAAF 107.3 FM contest and Steve picked him as the winner, to jam with him at his show at the Avalon in Boston).