MICKI FREE
TATTOO BURN–REDUX
DARK IDOL MUSIC MBR 1001
GOD IS ON THE PHONE–TATTOO BURN–GREENS AND BARBEQUE–SIX FEET DOWN IN THE BLUES–MOJO BLACK COFFEE–CO-CO-GIN–THERE’S A HOLE IN THE HEART OF THE BLUES–ANGELS IN THE ROOM–HEY BABY (THE NEW RISING SUN) (REMIX)–FIVE MINUTES TILL CHRISTMAS–SOMETIMES IN WINTER
Micki Free is a blistering guitarist, and a Grammy-winner, who has worked extensively with the group Shalamar, as well as with the varied likes of Santana, KISS, Prince, and a myriad of others. He’s also a mixed-blood Comanche-Cherokee Native American, with a Voodoo Chile’s soul. His latest set, entitled “Tattoo Burn-Redux,” and the ten originals and one sweet cover are all gritty, guitar-fueled blasts of soul, blues, funk, and all his other varied influences rolled into one package. Micki and Howard Hewlett, from aforementioned Shalamar, get right down to the real nitty-gritty, y’all, with a scalding duet on the leadoff cut, a hellfire slab of funked-up gospel, where, no matter what your situation, just reach out, ’cause “God Is On The Phone.” That cool “needle drop” sound kicks off the title cut, where, with “her name burned into my body,” when the love is gone, you gotta deal with that “Tattoo Burn.” A delicious shot of minor-key slow-blues has Micki and his guitar crying over that girl “Mama said to stay away from,” who now has him feeling “Six Feet Down In The Blues.’
Now, Micki does have that Voodoo Chile in his DNA, and you can hear it in a sizzling tribute in the form of a killer read of “Hey Baby (The New Rising Son),” and again on his original tale of those “storm clouds gathering” where “only the good Lord can make it right,” the aptly-titled, “There’s A Hole In The Heart Of The Blues.”
We had three favorites, too. Micki channels his inner Muddy on the grindin’ story of a sure cure when you have a bit too much the night before, a potent blend of “Mojo Black Coffee,” featuring Randy Singer on the harp. A nearly-tragic tale of a young woman who turns her life completely around after “40 days and 40 nights” of seriously flirting with “Kentucky whiskey” and “the pure black sin of the flask of Co-Co-Gin” finds her righting the ship, savin’ souls, and entering a convent! And, is it ever too soon for a cool Yule tune? Nope–and the Berry-lishus licks of “Five Minutes Till Christmas–did Santa forget about me?” sho’ nuff fills the bill!
Micki Free is a musical innovator, never afraid to push the envelope when seeking the right sound. A powerful guitar, gritty vocals, and creative songs make “Tattoo Burn–Redux” a must-listen! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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