Westside Andy & Mel Ford Band - Live On The Westside (2001)

                                                     Westside Andy & Mel Ford Band
 Recorded live at the Club Tavern, Middleton, WI, the latest release from the Westside Andy - Mel Ford Band is filled with searing Chicago-blues guitar playing from Mel Ford and smooth, textured blues vocals and harp from Westside Andy. From the opening strains of "On My Way" to the final notes of "Persimmon Pie," the band never misses a lick. Also featuring Jimmy Voegeli on Hammond B-3 and piano, Steve Dougherty on drums, and Tony Menzer on bass, the Westside Andy - Mel Ford Band is, simply stated, an ultra-tight blues band that moves between a moody instrumental like the Crusaders' "Way Back Home" and a full-tilt boogie number like "My Daddy Was a Jockey" as easily as most guys change their shirt. The band delivers 13 songs here that run the gamut of emotion, from slow, hurting on the inside blues, to up-tempo house rockers. Westside Andy Linderman sings his heart out on the soulful "Ludella" and goes 1930s retro with "Persimmon Pie."


Mel Ford steps up to the mike to sing "Get Your Business Straight," a tune dowsed in Stevie Ray Vaughn emotion, featuring a brilliant guitar solo from Ford, and an equally impressive run from Andy on harp; and then the sultry sound of Little Walter's "Sad Hours" is perfect for those times when you just want to close your eyes and get into the groove. One of the absolute smoothest cuts on the album is the band's take on the Crusaders' "Put It Where You Want It," a song performed so well live that you'll swear you are listening to a studio track. Yes, the band is that good.

The production is excellent and the sound is crystal clear, which only adds to the enjoyment of this live set from a band that needs and deserves to be heard by blues lovers the world over. All it takes is one listen to Live on the Westside, and you'll feel it too. It's a real gut-level groove. Blues played well, with genuine heart and soul.


Tracklist:

01. On My Way 07:33
02. You Were Wrong 05:50
03. Way Back Home 06:27
04. Get Your Business Straight 07:07
05. I Owe You 06:09
06. It Hurts Me 03:32
07. My Daddy Was A Jockey 04:22
08. Sad Hours 05:26
09. Put It Where You Want It 09:51
10. I Understand You 04:26
11. Party At My House 03:48
12. Ludella 06:20
13. Persimmon Pie 03:02