Showing posts with label Mikey Jr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mikey Jr. Show all posts

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Mikey Junior - Tribute To Aleck 'Rice' Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson)

Album: Tribute To Aleck 'Rice' Miller
Size: 78,1 MB
Time: 33:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2025
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Front

1. Eyesight To The Blind (2:43)
2. Don't Start Me Talkin' (2:39)
3. She Got Next To Me (2:43)
4. Little Village (3:52)
5. Like Wolf (3:53)
6. Don't Lose Your Eye (3:32)
7. Keep It To Yourself (2:41)
8. Sad To Be Alone (2:54)
9. Shuckin' Mama (2:27)
10. One Way Out (2:26)
11. Keep Your Hand Out Of My Pocket (3:57)

What’s not to like here - Mikey Junior’s amazing skills on harmonica and Rice Miller’s tunes being covered. Mikey does an amazing job, staying true to Sonny Boy’s music but adding his own flair from time to time. As for standouts it comes down to which Sonny Boy’s songs you like, not which ones Mikey does well because he does them all justice.

Personnel: Mikey Junior (vocals, harmonica); Matt Daniels, Dave Gross, Greg Gumpel (guitar); Matt Raymond (upright bass); Michael Bram (drums); Bill Heid (piano).

Tribute To Aleck 'Rice' Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson) mc
Tribute To Aleck 'Rice' Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson) gofile

Monday, December 9, 2024

Mikey Jr. - Mikey Likes It

Album: Mikey Likes It
Size: 118,2 MB
Time: 51:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. Everythings Gonna Be Alright (3:23)
2. Treat Me Right (5:31)
3. I'm Ready (4:18)
4. The Prowler (4:52)
5. Out Go The Lights (2:46)
6. She's My Baby (2:32)
7. Tight Dress Woman (3:42)
8. Car Trouble (2:10)
9. Mighty Long Time (4:31)
10. Back Door Man (4:21)
11. I'm Drunk Again (3:48)
12. What You Say (2:44)
13. Every Morning (3:50)
14. Silent Night (2:29)

When the oldest continuously running blues society in the world says you're the "real deal", that has to mean something. When blues forums toss your name around with the likes of harmonica masters like Little Walter and Sonny Boy ... that has to mean something. Of course, there will always be skeptics; but to the blues fans of the northeast Unites States, there is no doubt that at just 26 years old, Mikey Jr. is chasing the masters at a pace that's frightening.

Growing up on the tough streets of Trenton, New Jersey, Mikey Jr. is a self-taught prodigy. With his impressive collection of vintage tapes, cd's, records, and videos, Mikey spent the better part of his youth immersing himself in the world of blues music. By the time he was twenty-one, he was allready a road-tested player, making even a ardent blues purists, take notice. Since that time, Mikey Jr. has released an impressive four cd's as well as a documentary DVD. He's been praised by blues societies as wall as players for his origional take on 'old school' styles.

Mikey Jr. never set out to re-write the pages of blues history, but through his true love of the music and his undying dedication to the masters that came before him, it seems all but certain that Mikey Jr. will scribe his name in the annals of blues history - right along side the very masters that influence his every performance.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Mikey Likes It mc
Mikey Likes It gofile

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Mikey Jr. - The New York City Sessions

Album: The New York City Sessions
Size: 129,4 MB
Time: 55:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. Rockin' (2:44)
2. Low Down (3:47)
3. Flip The Chicken (5:02)
4. Close To Me (4:00)
5. Howlin' For My Baby (3:24)
6. Sittin' Here Drinkin' (7:32)
7. Cool Disposition (3:22)
8. Ships On The Ocean (7:31)
9. Little Baby (4:44)
10. Hey Rich Girl (4:21)
11. Lonesome Cabin (9:23)

When the oldest continuously running blues society in the world says you're the "real deal", that has to mean something. When blues forums toss your name around with the likes of harmonica masters like Little Walter and Sonny Boy...that has to mean something. Of course, there will always be skeptics; but to the blues fans of the northeast Unites States, there is no doubt that at just 26 years old, Mikey Jr. is chasing the masters at a pace that's frightening.

Growing up on the tough streets of Trenton, New Jersey, Mikey Jr. is a self-taught prodigy. With his impressive collection of vintage tapes, cd's, records, and videos, Mikey spent the better part of his youth immersing himself in the world of blues music. By the time he was twenty-one, he was already a road-tested player, making even a ardent blues purists, take notice. Since that time, Mikey Jr. has released an impressive four cd's as well as a documentary DVD. He's been praised by blues societies as wall as players for his origional take on 'old school' styles.

Mikey Jr. never set out to re-write the pages of blues history, but through his true love of the music and his undying dedication to the masters that came before him, it seems all but certain that Mikey Jr. will scribe his name in the annals of blues history - right along side the very masters that influence his every performance.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

The New York City Sessions mc
The New York City Sessions gofile

Friday, December 6, 2024

Mikey Junior - Traveling North

Album: Traveling North
Size: 99,8 MB
Time: 43:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Front

1. Old Enough To Know (3:57)
2. Taboo Love (4:45)
3. You Hurt Me (3:34)
4. Crazy Over You (4:04)
5. Way Too Fast (5:06)
6. Brown Derby Liquor (4:21)
7. Cover Me (4:28)
8. She Can Do What She Wants To (2:58)
9. Hit The Road Jack (3:19)
10. Sittin' & Cryin' The Blues (6:25)

Mikey Junior traveled east with his band from Bucks County to the Jersey Shore last month to play the Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival. After a terrific set of high-energy, harp-based blues, he dropped by the merchandise tent with his just-released CD, Traveling North. Having listened to it, I must report that this introspective collection is right up there with his best work. The ten songs include some excellent new material and covers that might surprise even those familiar with him. All of the production was handled by Mikey’s good friend, top-notch musician Dave Gross, who also plays multiple instruments on several tracks.

The album opens with an original titled “Old Enough To Know,” which tells the story of a good love gone bad. Mikey’s fluid harp licks and mournful vocals amplify the emotion. He is backed here, and on the remaining tracks, by Matt Raymond on bass, Michael Bram on drums, and Greg Gumpel on guitar. Continuing with the slow and sultry sound, Mikey covers a Danny DeGennaro tune, Taboo Love. Danny, a well-respected musician on the local scene who also played with national acts, was tragically shot in his home in 2011. With Dave Gross on lead guitar and Mikey on harp and vocals, they pay homage to Danny’s song while making it their own.

“You Hurt Me” stays in that same vein, with Dave delivering some fine distorted guitar throughout. Another original, “I’m Still Crazy Over You,” includes standout keyboard work from none other than Victor Wainwright, which perfectly complements Mikey’s harp. Another Danny DeGennaro original, “Way Too Fast,” showcases memorable slide work from Josh Roberts on a track that is anything but fast. An intriguing drum pattern leads off “Brown Derby Liquor,” supported by a loping bass line. Mikey’s road-weary vocals tell the story of a drink that can “buy him a little peace of mind.” Long-time band guitarist Matt Daniels lays down some tasty licks that perfectly complement Mikey’s harp arrangement.

Mikey’s take on Bruce Springsteen’s “Cover Me” starts as a stripped-down version, with Dave’s acoustic guitar over an almost military beat. When the band joins in, they capture the essence of the song in an original arrangement that really works. The pace picks up with Mikey’s song, “She Can Do What She Wants To,” where driving beats match Mikey’s lusty harp and vocals. A song most associated with the great Ray Charles, “Hit The Road Jack,” is turned into a shuffle highlighted by Mikey’s vocals and backed by his dad, Michael Hudak Sr., and stepmom, Robin Hudak. This track sounds like it was a lot of fun to record in the studio.

For the final song, Mikey goes back to 1960 with Willie Dixon’s “Sittin’ & Cryin’ The Blues.” Staying true to the theme of the collection, he gives it the classic slow-blues treatment with just the core band backing him. It’s a fitting way to end an outstanding collection of songs by an artist who’s really hitting his musical stride. /Tom Baldino

Traveling North mc
Traveling North gofile

Friday, August 11, 2023

Mikey Junior - Blues In The Barn, Vol. 2

Size: 99.2 MB
Time: 42:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Don't Go No Further (2:33)
02. Dirty Pool (5:20)
03. I'm Gonna Kill The Ice Cream Man (3:56)
04. Come On In My Kitchen (3:13)
05. Ships Out On The Ocean (3:48)
06. Up The Line (2:29)
07. Rooster Strut (3:57)
08. Early In The Morning (4:20)
09. Evening (4:31)
10. Last Night (Alternate Take) (3:48)
11. Mystery Train (4:14)

When the oldest continuously running blues society in the world says you're the "real deal", that has to mean something. When blues forums toss your name around with the likes of harmonica masters like Little Walter and Sonny Boy...that has to mean something. Of course, there will always be skeptics; but to the blues fans of the northeast Unites States, there is no doubt that at just 26 years old, Mikey Jr. is chasing the masters at a pace that's frightening.

Growing up on the tough streets of Trenton, New Jersey, Mikey Jr. is a self-taught prodigy. With his impressive collection of vintage tapes, cd's, records, and videos, Mikey spent the better part of his youth immersing himself in the world of blues music. By the time he was twenty-one, he was already a road-tested player, making even a ardent blues purists, take notice. Since that time, Mikey Jr. has released an impressive four cd's as well as a documentary DVD. He's been praised by blues societies as wall as players for his origional take on 'old school' styles and his latest release, 'Look Inside My Pocket' is being hailed as a watershed effort by the blues community.

Mikey Jr. never set out to re-write the pages of blues history, but through his true love of the music and his undying dedication to the masters that came before him, it seems all but certain that Mikey Jr. will scribe his name in the annals of blues history - right along side the very masters that influence his every performance.

Blues In The Barn, Vol. 2 MP3
Blues In The Barn, Vol. 2 FLAC

Monday, July 17, 2023

Mikey Jr. - The 420 Sessions

Size: 156.2 MB
Time: 68:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2003
Styles: Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Snatch It Back (3:37)
02. Checkin' Up On My Baby (2:57)
03. I Ain't Drunk (3:54)
04. Walkin' Blues (5:36)
05. Who's Been Talkin' (4:02)
06. Help Me (7:45)
07. Malted Milk (4:26)
08. Bad Boy (6:20)
09. The Same Thing (4:15)
10. Take It Easy (6:31)
11. Travelin' Blues (5:03)
12. Love Her With A Feelin' (4:17)
13. Drunkin Experience (1:37)
14. Where Did You Sleep Last Night (3:46)
15. Bye Bye Birdie (4:02)

Born in New Jersey, this incredible singer and harmonica player gives us in this CD a collection of fifteen versions of different great bluesmen like Sonny Boy Williamson, Lowell Fulson, Robert Johnson, Junior Wells, Jimmy Liggings, Willie Dixon, George ‘Harmonica’ Smith or Muddy Waters among others. He performs them with an immense respect and recognition, playing with an honesty that only people who really love blues can do. Mikey is a powerful solid passionate harp player gifted with an imaginative phrasing and a big fat tone. His harmonica knowledge makes him become an attractive technical musician who knows all blowers musical knacks. Mikey combines amplified and acoustic harp in this cd. The musicians who back him are really bright, showing a wide blues knowledge and they always give the perfect support to make Mikey shine at a very high level. This cd have pleasantly surprised me by the coolness and the genuine Chicago blues music they tastefully and cleverly perform.

The 420 Sessions MP3
The 420 Sessions FLAC

Friday, November 22, 2019

Mikey Junior - The Acoustic Sessions

Size: 127,1 MB
Time: 53:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. I Can't Hold Out (2:22)
02. Malted Milk (4:06)
03. Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms (3:25)
04. Last Fair Deal Gone Down (3:18)
05. She's Good At Being Bad (3:39)
06. Wrong Number Blues (3:00)
07. Buckeye Swing (3:43)
08. Hard Time Killin' Floor (4:04)
09. Shake That Boogie (3:15)
10. Red Hot Kisses (3:02)
11. She Moves Me (5:09)
12. Come Back Home Baby (3:02)
13. Where Did You Sleep Night (3:50)
14. Too Close Together (2:31)
15. Blues After Hours (5:06)

When one of the oldest continuously running blues societies in the world says you're the "real deal", that has to mean something. When blues forums toss your name around with the likes of harmonica masters like Little Walter, Jr. Wells & Sonny Boy...that has to mean something. Of course, there will always be skeptics; but to blues fans throughout the country, there is no doubt that at just 32 years old, Mikey Junior is chasing the masters at a pace that’s frightening. Growing up on the tough streets of Trenton, New Jersey, and now residing in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Mikey Junior is a self-taught prodigy. With his impressivecollection of vintage, records, tapes, CD’s and videos, Mikey spent the better part of his youth immersing himself in the world of blues music. By the time he was twenty-one he was already a road-tested player making even ardent blues purists take notice. Since that time, Mikey Junior has released an impressive eight CD releases as well as a documentary DVD. He’s been praised by blues societies as well as players for his original take on ‘old school’ styles and his latest release, ‘It Ain’t Hard To Tell’ is being hailed as a watershed effort by the blues community. Mikey Junior never set out to re-write the pages of blues history, but through his true love of the music and his undying dedication to the masters that came before him, it seems all but certain that Mikey Junior will scribe his name in the annals of blues history - right alongside the very masters that influence his every performance.

The Acoustic Sessions MP3
The Acoustic Sessions FLAC

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Mikey Jr - 2 albums: Look Inside My Pocket / It Ain't Hard To Tell

Album: Look Inside My Pocket
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:58
Size: 98.4 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[3:35] 1. Had A Woman
[2:28] 2. All About You
[3:04] 3. Cheapskate
[4:38] 4. Happy Anniversary
[5:29] 5. I'm Broke
[3:18] 6. Summertime
[3:26] 7. I Ain't Your Baby Now
[2:46] 8. Look Inside My Pocket
[3:32] 9. What Have You Done
[2:20] 10. Whiskey By The Glass
[4:31] 11. I Need My Baby Back
[3:47] 12. Down At The Juke Joint

When the oldest continuously running blues society in the world says you're the "real deal", that has to mean something. When blues forums toss your name around with the likes of harmonica masters like Little Walter and Sonny Boy...that has to mean something. Of course, there will always be skeptics; but to the blues fans of the northeast Unites States, there is no doubt that at just 26 years old, Mikey Jr. is chasing the masters at a pace that's frightening.

Growing up on the tough streets of Trenton, New Jersey, Mikey Jr. is a self-taught prodigy. With his impressive collection of vintage tapes, cd's, records, and videos, Mikey spent the better part of his youth immersing himself in the world of blues music. By the time he was twenty-one, he was already a road-tested player, making even a ardent blues purists, take notice. Since that time, Mikey Jr. has released an impressive four cd's as well as a documentary DVD. He's been praised by blues societies as wall as players for his origional take on 'old school' styles and his latest release, 'Look Inside My Pocket' is being hailed as a watershed effort by the blues community.

Mikey Jr. never set out to re-write the pages of blues history, but through his true love of the music and his undying dedication to the masters that came before him, it seems all but certain that Mikey Jr. will scribe his name in the annals of blues history - right along side the very masters that influence his every performance.

Look Inside My Pocket mc
Look Inside My Pocket zippy

Album: It Ain't Hard To Tell
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:04
Size: 123.8 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:06] 1. It Ain't Hard To Tell
[3:13] 2. The Cheapskate
[3:12] 3. Chitlin Con Carne
[2:14] 4. You All Alone
[3:42] 5. Pocket Full Of Money
[3:56] 6. Can't Be Satisfied
[5:06] 7. Hand Jive
[4:48] 8. What Have I Done
[5:06] 9. Telephone Blues
[2:49] 10. Hawaiian Eye
[3:11] 11. 32 20 Blues
[4:00] 12. Mikey's At The Bar
[4:32] 13. I Wish You Would
[5:03] 14. Mikey's Out Back

Singer/songwriter/harmonica wizard Mikey Junior is a native of Trenton, NJ who grew up across the Delaware River in Bucks County, PA. He came to the blues via his musician father’s record collection and by his early twenties (he just turned 30) he was a full time musician leading his own band up and down the East Coast. Three of his most important harmonica influences are Steve Guyger (Jimmy Rogers’ former harmonica player is native Bucks Countian), William Clarke, and Clarke’s mentor George "Harmonica" Smith. Mikey combines Clarke’s visceral lyricism, Guyger’s dynamic subtlety, and Smith’s muscular thunder (on chromatic) in his ever developing style. The impetus for Mikey’s sixth album was his desire to measure his progress as a musician with a combination of originals and personal favorites like Jimmy Roger’s "What Have I Done" (a long time staple of Steve Guyger’s repertoire) and George Smith’s signature slow blues "Telephone Blues," one of Mikey’s most dramatic performance pieces,

It Ain't Hard To Tell mc
It Ain't Hard To Tell zippy

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Mikey Junior - Traveling South

Size: 109,2 MB
Time: 46:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Traveling South (3:21)
02. Nobody Does It Like Me (3:40)
03. Morning On My Way (3:26)
04. Mill Tavern (4:41)
05. Katie Lynn (3:51)
06. Bad Time Blues (4:42)
07. The Cheat (4:27)
08. You (5:04)
09. She's Good At Being Bad (4:36)
10. Please Come Back (3:34)
11. Wrong Number (3:10)
12. Trying To Do The Best I Can (2:18)

I just received the newest release (March 25, 2014), Traveling South, and it's great! Opening with Traveling South, Mikey Junior shows that he's got a great voice for the blues and absolutely great harp chops and tone to match. A stripped down track with emphases on drums by Michael Bram this track has a dark sound and guitarists Dave Gross and Dean Shot and Mikey on harp really make the best of it! Excellent! Nobody Does It Like It Like Me has a nice lumbering pace driven mostly by Matt Raymond on bass. This is old school blues with emphases on vocal and harp... but that is old school...not old! It's really nice! Morning On My Way opens with tom tom beat and guitar riffs. Mikey's vocals are really super and his harp work paired with the sparing use of crisp guitar inserts it mighty fine. Mill Tavern has a great pace with just the right amount of syncopation that gives New Orleans music it's flair but with harp and guitar instead of horns. Jeremy Baum adds really cool piano work on this track and again a laid back guitar solo is nicely executed. This may be the best vocal track on the release. Katie Lynn has just a touch of country rhythm but with a rockin beat. Different rhythm and paces give harp players a different phrasing and this track shows us yet another side of Mikey's diverse palate. Cool track. Bad Time Blues opens with a cool guitar riff with heavy hand vibrato. I like the sound. A more conventional blues track with a cool story line. Mikey again controls the tempo of this track with is vocal phrasing and the band shows just how tight a blues band can be on a low slung track. Mikey shows his chops again on harp and Short rips these great signature guitar riffs placing this bands high on my want to see list. The Cheat opens with squawking harp and rim shots. A blues rock track with a lot of swagger, Mikey again steps up and takes authority with his harp like few players I've seen do today. It isn't flashy, just crisp and direct. Very nice. You opens with an interesting guitar riff and what I'd call a stumbling drum riff. I like it already! I can see Mikey performing this track in my mind. It's a theatrical piece with a lot of sonic animation. Mikey (with Lee Oskar like tone) and Shot trade punches over this stumbling beat...excellent! Possibly my favorite track overall. She's Good At Being Bad, with a vocal melody, tremelo laden guitar chords and percussive drum stiffeners is a cool listener. A different approach to your basic blues number and one that has real merit. Please Come Back is much more down the middle of blues highway with R&B bass line. A definite James Brown return on this track gives it a cool feel and Shot again steps up with a really nice guitar solo followed by Mikey on harp. This track has a really nice riff filled ending with vibrato bends on guitar... excuse my excessive guitar interest but that's who I am! Wrong Number, the first soul ballad on the release is really nicely written and executed with Baum stepping up on B3. Mikey again shows how strong his vocals really are. An easy radio play... really! The last track, Trying To Do the Best I Can, is the surprise of the release with an acoustic country blues feel. With only acoustic guitar, harp, upright bass and what sounds like sand paper (or brushes), the crew does a super job to wind down from an explosive release. ~Bman

Traveling South