Messer

"Michael Messer is a virtuoso slide guitarist who has one of the best bands performing some of the greatest blues tunes produced this century. His playing encompasses the entire history of the blues but is totally individual and contemporary. His use of turntables in the band adds a new element to the music and Messer’s
haunting vocals ooze authenticity and integrity. The American magazine, ‘Spirit’ listed Michael as one of the greatest slide guitarists ever alongside Duane Allman and Ry Cooder".

A welcome reissue of the ground-breaking British blues guitarist's 1995 album which was the precursor to his more high profile sets King Guitar & Second Mind, released in 2001 & 2002 respectively. Recorded in London & jointly produced by Messer & Ron Kavana, the album is a collaboration between Messer & British-born Texas- based Terry Clarke…..

Once upon a time, a reviewer would've noted the influence of Chicago blues on the English music scene of the 1960s. Thirty or so years later, it is just as relevant to note the influence of the English blues revival on contemporary players like Michael Messer. His sensibilities, in fact, draw from early Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall, and on occasion, the Rolling Stones. This, however, isn't meant to imply that Second Mind is no more than a revival of the revival. On "Blue Letters" he mixes a brooding guitar with a backtrack of scratching vinyl to carve out a sound reminiscent of Chuck Prophet's later work…..

There's something fun and catchy about Michael Messer's eclectic album, King Guitar. Although the guitar featured on the cover is a vintage acoustic model, the music runs the gauntlet between down-and-dirty electric blues and quiet Delta slide. In a way, this mixture is sort of like an early Fleetwood Mac, with Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer bringing different blues styles together in one group. Messer, however, accomplishes all of this by himself. His acoustic slide guitar is the epitome of taste on the lovely "Crow Blues" and the happy, upbeat "Steel Guitar Blues".

There's something fun and catchy about Michael Messer's eclectic album, King Guitar. Although the guitar featured on the cover is a vintage acoustic model, the music runs the gauntlet between down-and-dirty electric blues and quiet Delta slide. In a way, this mixture is sort of like an early Fleetwood Mac, with Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer bringing different blues styles together in one group. Messer, however, accomplishes all of this by himself. His acoustic slide guitar is the epitome of taste on the lovely "Crow Blues" and the happy, upbeat "Steel Guitar Blues." His playing style seems centered on laying down what works best for a particular song as opposed to showing off…….