Mississippi MacDonald - I Got What You Need (2024)

I Got What You Need is the statement from a troubadour coming into town to inform and entertain the people. Bearing songs of soul searching, of spiritual uplift, of songs to groove to. Equipped with a powerful voice and stinging guitar the troubadour lays down his marker and backs up the statement. 

Two of the featured songs on the new album, his third with APM Records, sprang from a collaboration with ex-Malaco writer John Ward (Bobby Bland, Little Milton), of Ecko Records/Publishing in Memphis. The title track was a demo only in the archive, written and recorded by Sonny Mack aka William Norris, which John suggested would suit MacDonald. Second song ‘Hard Luck and Trouble’, written by Ward, came out of MacDonald’s session at Ecko with Benny Turner when Ward and MacDonald first conspired to work together.

A couple of self penned instrumentals on the new album pay tribute; ‘3.35AM’ to one of MacDonald’s prime influences Freddie King, and Soul City One to the Memphis studios. Taking a turn at the piano MacDonald has extended into Gospel with his own spirit song Your Dreams, and a rousing arrangement of ‘If I Could Only Hear My Mother Pray Again’. As an interpreter MacDonald is able to stamp his own and on the classic R&B tune ‘We’re Gonna Make It’ he and the band really swing.
The album is rich in variety, vibe and soulful energy. It’s MacDonald’s Blues and a whole lot more. MacDonald has indeed ‘got what you need’.

Mississippi MacDonald – Vocals , Lead Guitar

The Mississippi MacDonald Band is:
Eliott Boughen - Bass
Jim Kimberley - Drums
Phil Dearing – Guitars, Keyboards
Lucy Randall – Backing Vocals