R.J. Mischo & The Teddy Morgan Blues Band
R.J. Mischo & The Teddy Morgan Blues Band
Genres: bluesrock, blues, Contemporary Blues, harmonica blues, guitar blues
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About R.J. Mischo & The Teddy Morgan Blues Band
If there is a single, Minnesota blues recording that could be considered a "must have" for every local blues fan, the Blue Loon album Ready To Go may very well be the one. This 1992 offering from the RJ Mischo and the Teddy Morgan blues band contains 14 tracks of straight up, no nonsense Chicago and West Coast style blues full of subtlety and nuance. Incredibly, it was recorded mostly live in a single day with the tracks approached raw and unrehearsed. Their ability to pull this off stands as a testament, not only to their deep understanding of this musical form, but also to the cohesiveness of the music and the musicians involved. The session produced a number of blues standards and originals, with each pointing in the direction of the legendary Chicago blues ensemble sound. Reviewer Norman Darwen of the UK magazine Blues & Rhythm wrote, "Sounds like it should bear a "recorded in Chicago 1955" legend, not in terms of sound quality, which is excellent, but because of the authentic and exciting performances". Exciting and authentic, key words that explain why this recording is being inducted. For it is all too common to hear similar releases filled with lifeless, impotent versions of blues classics. In contrast, on Ready To Go, the band members manage a complimentary rendering of the original versions while still injecting elements of their own individual musical makeup. For example, on track number three, they tackle a classic Jimmy Rogers shuffle, but the tempo is deliberately slowed. Kid brings it in with a simple but sultry guitar rhythm with the band falling in behind, building the tension and the groove. When the late, great Percy Strother bellows out the first few words "You're sweet, oh baby you're so sweet", you know, you feel that this version has an identity all its own. The band has absorbed the template of a standard arrangement and put their mark on it. To my ears, that's what separates the blues artist from the blues imitator. The Ready To Go recording, as well as its musicians, has attained notoriety locally, nationally and internationally. You probably know the names behind the music, - RJ Mischo on harp and vocals, Teddy Morgan on guitar, Percy Strother on vocals, Bruce McCabe on piano, Robb Stupka drums and Billy Black on bass. It is my pleasure to present the 2010 Blues Recording Award for Ready To Go to the members of the RJ Mischo & Kid Teddy Morgan band along with Mrs. Rosanna Strother. Source: Minnesota Blues Society - R.J. Mischo & The Teddy Morgan Blues Band About R.J. Mischo Singer/Harmonica player R.J. Mischo began his music career over 20 years ago in Minneapolis. He worked with the area’s legends of the Blues scene like Muddy Waters alumni Mojo Buford and Sonny Rogers, as well as Percy Strothers & Milwaukee Slim. R.J. then led his own groups and gained a reputation as one of the region's top blues acts. During his tenure in Minneapolis, R.J. was nominated in several categories by the Minnesota Music Academy and in 1996 won the award for Best Harmonica Player. RJ Mischo scoops up everyday life and personal experiences and funnels them through his harp and vocals, and what pours out is the hot-blooded passion, the playful humor and high voltage energy of the blues. R.J. was introduced to audiences worldwide when he and guitarist Teddy Morgan formed the RJ & Kid Morgan Blues Band featuring Percy Strother. In 1992 they released Ready To Go on the W. C. Handy award-winning Blue Loon Records. 1994 brought the critically acclaimed Gonna Rock Tonight also on Blue Loon Records. After several successful tours of Europe, RJ recorded Rough ’N" Tough "live in Europe "in 1996 and Cool Disposition in 1997 on the prestigious German label, Crosscut Records. In 1998 R.J. Mischo and His Red Hot Blues Band moved to San Francisco, California and quickly established himself in the local music scene as each performance typically runs the gamut from mellow-down-easy acoustic to highly-charged full-on electric. The CD "West Wind Blowin'" featured advances in R.J.'s writing style and guest performances by guitarist/vocalists Steve Freund and Rusty Zinn. RJ waxed three more Albums in California plus appeared on 2 volumes of Blues Harp Meltdown CD"s compilations featuriing live recording's of Mark Hummel's famous blues harmonica blow-outs with Kim Wilson, James Harman, Billy Branch, Rick Estrin, Gary Primich, Johnny Dyer, Annie Raines, Gary Smith, and Cephas & Wiggins. His latest and 9th CD "King Of a Mighty Good Time" 2008 was recorded "live" in the studio to best capture the energy and interplay of sympathic musicians under optimal recording conditions. RJ and his Wife now reside in Fayetteville, Arkansas. R.J. works in the area with Northwest Arkansas' finest including guitar-ace Jimmy Thackery, the Table Rockers, Zack Bramhall and Arkansas legend Earl Cate. As well as touring worldwide performong on Blues Festivals and clubs with his own Red Hot Blues bands! Official Website: R.J. Mischo
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