Andy Just - vocal & harmonica Donnie Romano - guitars Charles Romagnoli - bass ''John Lee'' Emanuel Zamperini - drums Shawn Pittman - guitar Andy Just is one of the most powerful blues harmonica players in the world today, and has been since I was a young pup studying his fast, energetic solos. Not an ounce of genuine emotion and intensity is spared in his performances - this release is a testament of it. That's David Barrett's opinion - and he should know, as he runs the 'Harmonica Master Class Co.' in California. Andy has a large discography, going right back to the early days of the modern California blues (he recorded behind Hi-Tide Harris in 1976), but for something a little more up-to-date, after you have enjoyed this CD, you may care also to lend an ear to his blistering work on his own double CD set Smokin' Tracks - Live At Muddy Waters (Feelin' Good 012) or behind San Francisco Bay Area great Gail 'Mojo' Muldrow on her own album, Peace Of Mind (Feelin' Good 006). Speaking of whom... over to Gail: When I heard Andy play, that was the first time I realised how versatile the harmonica really was. Some of the things he does on the harp defy human capability. His unique style is something of it's own that no other harp player can duplicate. God gives some people sandals in life; Andy got full combat boots! It's like the restless souls of the great harp players all landed on him. His music is alive with that soul. Dig it! People, take the lesson! Andy certainly took his lessons and learned them well. As West Coast guitarist Volker Strifler says of him: His musical energy and presence are a treat, and he has certainly been in demand. He has appeared on more than thirty albums and has played on stage and/ or on record with the likes of B.B. King, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, Lee Oskar, Fenton Robinson, Ronnie Wood, Maria Muldaur, Chris Cain (a very early associate), The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Luther Tucker, John Entwistle, Angela Strehli, and many, many more. He has worked with the acclaimed Ford Blues Band since the early nineties and has been front-man for them for nearly two decades, which has also brought with it an association with renowned guitar wizard Robben Ford. This is not a new situation though; Fritz Svacina, editor of Blues Art Journal, recalls seeing Andy with Robben many years ago, and still remembers vividly that Andy played extremely long parts on the harp, with a lot of soul and dynamism - awesome, really awesome! A show with Andy is a great performance, with lots of power and a great style on the harp, like Little Walter or Junior Wells. Another Bay Area singer also praises Andy, but, in addition, she draws attention to another facet of his playing - here's Sista Monica: Andy Just is a prolific blues and soul harp player. His mastery of the blues harp is matched to me with the extensive talents of Stevie Wonder. It has a passionate feeling, and a broad appeal that crosses over to different genres of music. Andy is sensitive in his approach to a song and plays to the lyrics and melody with perfect sentiment and style. He is my favourite harp player and should get lots more recognition for his contribution to blues music. I love his sound of music. As that comment, and some of the aforementioned names in the list above indicate, Andy is not one to confine himself to a narrow definition of the blues. His powerhouse playing (his website describes him as the most powerful harp player to come along since James Cotton - that's about right...) can incorporate soul, jazz and rock elements. The album title Preachin' The Blues was not just a random choice - take a listen to this instrumental which goes places way beyond many blues harp players' capabilities, and appreciate Andy's subtlety, imagination and ability. The material on this CD was recorded over two sessions. The earlier session was recorded in the middle of the tour where Andy was backed by Italian musicians: I had not played with this group of musicians before, but was very pleased to have them play with me as a band - and the re
