Micke & Lefty - Let The Fire Lead (Feat. Chef) (2020) [CD Rip]

The very attractive opener 'Tell That Woman' immediately makes you happy. Tell That Woman is a Willie Dixon cover. In the original version the piano is very present, but it has completely disappeared from the version of Micke & Lefty Feat Chef. Instead we get wonderful sounds from acoustic, electric, National resonator and Dobro guitars. The three boys of the band also use a kazoo in 'Tell That Woman', an instrument that we don't hear very often. The song has a great rhythm, which makes it difficult to sit still. The great harmony singing in the strong and catchy chorus will also appeal to many music lovers. Topper. The trio slows the pace for the beautiful Delta blues-inspired song 'Always Something Good', in which Micke sings with his smoky blues voice that all means and reasons are right as long as you can get through the night. The deep bass sounds from Chef's acoustic bass provide the stable factor in this ballad. Micke and Lefty re-color the sound of 'Always Something Good' with beautiful guitar tones, which come from the acoustic, electric and Lapsteel guitar. With the 1935 Big Bill Broonzy cover 'Big Bill Blues', Micke, Lefty and Chef go back almost a century. Their version sounds much more modern and fresh, without losing the eye for tradition. Big Bill Blues is a mix of Delta blues, bluegrass and country. Guitar virtuoso Lefty Leppänen shows once again that he is a fine guitarist. Here he is the only guitarist on duty and plays the tenor banjo, the National resonator guitar and the mandolin. The exciting and up-tempo love song 'Small Town Baby' is started by drummer Micke Bjorklof. It has a strong and catchy chorus that you are singing along before you know it.

Chef Kinimäki provides the intro of the title track 'Let The Fire Lead' on his Fender bass with a nice bass intro. The handsome bass drum kicks and smooth percussion of Micke provide an excellent drum beat in this smooth blues song. Moreover, he knows how to sing this song in an excellent and convincing way. The beautiful backing vocals of Lefty and Chef complete the song vocally. Here again, Lefty is expressly and excellently present on his mandolin and National resonator guitar. "The One" is a sultry and dreamy love ballad, written by Mikka Kivimäki and Ville Leppänen. The notes that bassist Chef plays on his acoustic bass further enhance that dreamy and sultry atmosphere. Lefty's strumming on his National resonator guitar is of excellent quality and a pleasure for the ear. As befits a sultry dreamy song, Micke closes the song with spherical sounds on his cymbals. The trio is stepping up for 'Gotta See My Church'. Micke's bass drum kicks give this blues song a footstomping rhythm. The song has a beautiful and smooth melody, which quickly settles in your head and lingers for a while. Love and love clearly have Mister Leppänen in their grip, because most of his written songs are about this subject and 'You Gorgeous You' is no exception. You Gorgeous You is a smooth, uptempo blues song. Chef provides a propelling rock groove with an excellent pulsating bass line. Apart from the mandolin, Lefty also plays a twelve-string acoustic guitar. In my opinion, the main role is reserved for Micke's gritty harmonica work. 'You Gorgeous You' is one of the two songs on this album, which also features a guest musician. Sami Silén plays acoustic guitar in this song.

'No Stuff Is Good Enuff' is an old school blues with an attractive and compelling rhythm. It is one of the least pleasant songs on this excellent album. Fortunately, Lefty's beautiful fingerwork on the baritone guitar 'No Stuff Is Good Enuff' makes things a little less boring. Then 'Rock'N Bowl' with its punching honky tonky rhythm is much more interesting. The song with a great Zydeco vibe makes you happy and before you know it you are dancing and singing along with this Finnish trio. Lefty Leppänen who wrote the song also takes care of the lead vocals here. Besides the electric and acoustic guitar, it also shines with excellent blowing and suction on the harmonica. Chef Kinimäki on the standing bass is also a feast for the ears. The third and final cover on the album is' I'm A Steady Rollin 'Man' by blues legend Robert Johnson. The Finnish trio also knows how to make a very handsome version of this blues classic. The Southern Delta atmosphere is retained. The rhythm section with Micke Blorklof on drums and percussion and Chef Kinimäki on acoustic bass provide an excellent basis, on which Lefty Leppänen can show his talents on his National resonator guitar. With guest singer Eero Raittinen we also hear a different voice on the lead vocals. The album ends with the sweet and melodic love ballad 'I Got To Tell You', in which we can enjoy the beautiful harmonious vocals of Micke, Lefty and Chef for the last time on this album. Although I am not a fan of acoustic albums, this Finnish trio, both vocal and instrumental, has impressed me a lot with the very varied album 'Let The Fire Lead'. They know how to keep the whole album interesting and that is a great achievement, if you practically only use acoustic instruments. We may not hear this kind of music on our stages and festivals, although I am convinced that this Finnish trio can count on great support from both the clubs and larger festivals. For those who love blues and acoustic music, I can get 'Let The Fire Lead' from Micke & Lefty feat. Recommend chef very much. The trio is still unknown in our region, but do me a favor and watch and listen to the attached promotional video, maybe it can also convince you to buy this excellent album. ~Hans Broere