MISSISSIPPI HEAT
Info By BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE
Biography By Facebook Band .
Listen his new Cd. At : https://www.facebook.com/DelmarkRecords
TRADITIONAL BLUES WITH A UNIQUE SOUND. . . As band leader and composer, Pierre's vision has never wavered since he founded his band in 1991. His mantra is clear and focused. The band has always had an ensemble sound: all musicians are featured and welcome to contribute on stage and on recordings. His music is traditional because it is steeped in Chicago's golden sounds of the 1950's, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Rogers, all the great harp players... Big and Little Walter, The Sonny Boy Williamsons, Junior Wells, George Smith, and many extraordinary contemporaries such as Kim Wilson, Rod Piazza and Paul deLay. On the other hand, Pierre's blues is unique because he dislikes to tread on old beaten paths. He always writes new stuff.
MISSISSIPPI HEAT emerged in 1991 on a night at the Cafe Lura in Chicago. Guitarist Jon McDonald invited Pierre to play harp for him with Robert Covington on drums and vocals. It was a great night, with a raucous crowd in this Polish neighborhood. Pierre looked happy, and the band played with such inspiration that his brother Michel was drawn to say he would find gigs with little efforts. A man of his word, Michel did find gigs for the band. He was wrong about the effort part, but was right about the fact that he could manage such a band. ... Pierre and the Heat have now finished 7 CDs (as well as a DVD for Delmark Records in 2005).
Some of their recordings have won awards such as "BEST CHICAGO BLUES CD OF THE YEAR" and "BEST BLUES PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR" (e.g., Handyman, and Footprints On The Ceiling by Real Blues Magazine ).
Over the years., MISSISSIPPI HEAT has been the subject of several TV and movie features. French TV has released a documentary on Blues featuring the band., and our vocalist for a prestigious program called ARTE. Soon after a concert was filmed in Montreal., Canada., and was sold to an Italian TV company. French Canadian TV also featured Pierre and his brother-manager Michel on one of their regular programs called "BAISERS D' AMERIQUE". This half-hour segment was viewed in 35 countries worldwide. MISSISSIPPI HEAT has also been featured in countless trade magazines such as Living Blues and Blues Review.
NEW CD ON DELMARK:
Let’s Live it Up is Mississippi Heat's third recording for Delmark, and 9th overall since this unique band formed in 1991. This diverse, but cohesive ensemble recorded 13 new original songs, eleven by leader and tasteful, creative harmonica player Pierre Lacocque, and a right on cover of Sugar Pie DeSanto’s catchy Veltone/Chess classic “I Want to Know!” They are fortunate to have not only one, but two of the blues world’s premier guitarists/singers adding their immense talent– John Primer and Carl Weathersby!!
Muddy Waters’ last guitarist, John “The Real Deal” Primer sings and plays on 3 cuts, including his original, “I Got Some News Today.” Another legendary Chicago area blues guitarist and part time member, Carl Weathersby and his powerful Albert King influenced guitar blasts can be heard throughout. Sensational vocalist Inetta Visor returns as lead singer on 10 tunes, including her deep, intense original, “She Died From A Broken Heart.” Newest Heat member, fantastic singer Rhonda Preston (Black Ensemble Theater) also contributes greatly to Pierre’s original, “Daggers & Spears” where she talks about “the Devil having a field day” with her! Keyboard whiz Chris “Hambone” Cameron (check out his website for his incredible resume’!), veteran blues trumpeter Kenny Anderson and the Chicago Horns, and percussionist Ruben Alvarez all add much texture to the Heat. Special mention must go out to killer lead/rhythm guitarist Giles Corey (Lubriphonic) and the rhythm section of bassist Stephen Howard (Bo Ramsey, William Elliot Whitmore) and Blues Music Award winner Kenny Smith on drums for their essential contributions.
From the earliest days of Mississippi Heat it was Pierre Lacocque's intention to assemble a group of the best Chicago blues veterans around to play original music in the tradition of the great Chicago blues bands of the 1950s. Mississippi Heat has gone through a lot of changes, but certain elements of the band's winning formula have remained constant: Pierre has remained the driving force behind the band. One of today's tastiest Chicago blues harp players, Pierre has a knack for soulful melodies, tone, and phrasing! His harmonica playing is rooted in tradition but is always fresh and void of cliche's.
2012 Delta Bound celebrates Mississippi Heat’s 20th year in the business, and their 10th recording! This is a strong and heartfelt post-war blues CD, with a true vintage feel. Fourteen original songs, twelve by Pierre Lacocque, and two written and/or arranged by Inetta Visor. Chubby Carrier, Billy Flynn, Carl Weathersby, & Deitra Farr appear as guests. (2012)
2014 New CD. Street date for Warning Shot is September 16th. CD release party at Buddy Guy's Legends on Saturday, September 13th.
Descripció
"It's been a long time since I heard a good blues band like this. You play great music together."
– BUDDY GUY
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