ROLLIN' IN THE MOONLIGHT--Midwestern
Blues, Boogies, and Cornbelt Zydeco
PATRICK HAZELL , BLUE RHYTHM RECORDINGS
(1997) BRR26CD
(Click HERE for
more information and for ordering)
ROLLIN' IN THE MOONLIGHT ---
MIDWESTERN BLUES, BOOGIES, AND CORNBELT ZYDECO
BRR32CD--RELEASED JULY 2003
Patrick Hazell, the Godfather of Iowa Blues,
bills himself as “The One Man Band”
and his music as “Midwestern Blues, Boogie, and Cornbelt
Zydeco.” Intrigued? You
should be. Hazell’s recent CD, Rollin’ In The Moonlight
(Blue Rhythm Records) is a
fine introduction to his talents. Hazell, from Iowa, plays keyboards,
harmonica, and
percussion with his feet, all at the same time. He’s considered
to be a legend on the
Iowa music scene and is a member of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame.
His repertoire
consists of not only the music described above, but also jazz
and R&B. He wrote 13
of the 14 tracks here, the only non-original being a cover of
Lil Green’s “In The Dark.”
This is not what you would ordinarily think of when you imagine
a one-man band. He
is the real deal, with well-composed songs and a relentless boogie
beat on most of
these tracks, along with some of the best harmonica you’ll
hear on disc. In addition,
he is an excellent keyboardist and his raspy vocals complement
the music very well.
It’s exhilarating to listen to and I have to imagine it’s
even more exciting to see him in
person. Go to Hazell’s website, www.patrickhazell.com and
check him out.
----Graham Clarke---
Self-described as Midwestern Blues, Boogie
and Cornbelt Zydeco, this CD delivers Hazell's most
recent gifts to music lovers. Hazell's opening "Dance Song"
quickly draws the listener in with its fast,
driving beat. Throughout the album, Hazell's mastery of the harmonica
is delightfully displayed:
note-bending, beckoning, emotional blues delivered by someone
whose blues soul is echoed through
his harmonica. "In the Dark" is a fun easy, bluesy story
told with a rare humor. In the "The Fisherman
Song," Hazell belts out some fine zydeco with a calypso feel,
another pleasing track. Supporting
Iowa artists of Hazell's caliber is easy when he produces a gem
like "Rollin' in the Moonlight." Call
319-653-4370, visit www.patrickhazell.com
- Kevin Miller, Oct. 2004, ArtSceneIowa.com
Des Moines, Iowa