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Blues Underground Network |
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Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men
"Reclaim Your
Land"
Last year I got introduced to an
amazing Canadian group fronted by an even more amazing female singer,
which called themselves Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce. I was so
impressed with their Debut album, "Tales From Lenny's Diner", that I
picked them as Best Debut Album (Band) (Canada) in my 2010 Year End
Review, as well as, #10 on my Blues Underground Network's Top 10 Albums
2010 List. Now this year, 2011, anther Canadian based group fronted by yet
another amazing female singer has caught my attention and that group is
called Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men and their dynamic full length
Debut album is called "Reclaim Your Land".
Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men is
a band based out of Brandon, Manitoba and consists of an international
mix of Canadians, British, and American Artists. The Hip Shakin' Mama on
the band is Shelley-Lynne Hardinge. As a Canadian performer she has
had her share of fronting numerous bands, from Rock to
Country, throughout her career. With the addition of
The Leg Men, "she has shared the stage with Take With Audio and
The Sheepdogs in July 2011. She has played along side of JD Edwards,
NQ Arbuckle and Romi Mayes to name a few. She has opened for Buffy Saint
Marie, Danny B, Wax Mannequin, and the Weber
Brothers
." Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men have also toured extensively
throughout Canada, Europe, and yearly in Mazatlan, Mexico. "Reclaim Your
Land" marks Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men's first Full Length Album
of all Original Material.
Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men
"Reclaim Your Land" consists of 11 power packed Tracks of truly Hip
Shakin' Mama music. Shelley-Lynne Hardinge shows off her other immense
talents as the writer of all the music and lyrics on this album.
Combine that with her amazing voice and second to none band members, and
you really have one hell of a tour de force of exceptionally
performed songs. Joining Shelley-Lynne on "Reclaim Your Land" were
The Leg Men consisting of Gerry Perkin (Guitar), Doug Sullivan (Drums),
Dave Oakey (Harmonica), Phil Nevile (Keys on Tracks 1 & 5), Rob
Lamonica (Keys & Hammond), Adrian Kuryliw (Bass on Track 2), Richie
Hardinge (Bass & Husband of Shelley-Lynne).
The music on "Reclaim Your Land" is
really a group effort, with the entire band getting to shine on virtually
all the Tracks. Shelley-Lynne Hardinge, for sure is the focal point, but
The Leg Men are such good musicians that they can't help but also shine on
this album, whether it be the great Key work of Phil Nevile and Rob
Lamonica, most notable on over half the Tracks, or Dave Oakey on Harmonica
that shines through on Track 8 "Funkalicious Sugar Blue". Gregg
Perkin's amazing Guitar work takes center stage on the Santana sounding
Track 5 "She Doesn't Want You" and Track 7 "I've Been Loving You To
Long", which to me sounded a bit like Blue Suede Shoes. Rock
solid Bass by Adrian Kuryliw and Richie Hardinge, along with the superb
beat of Doug Sullivan, makes for an extremely tight and formidable
band.
Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men
really reminded me a fair bit of Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce and
if my hunch is right, I can easily see Hip Shakin' Mama & The Leg Men
nominated for 1 or more Maple Blues Awards next in 2012, just like Sabrina
Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce, has done this year.
"Reclaim Your Land" really shows off
the immense talent that Canada has, as far as great
musicians, singers, and songwriters go.
"Reclaim Your Land" was a very
enjoyable Album to listen to and one that I have no problem Highly
Recommending for not only lovers of Female Fronted Blues Bands, but also
for those that just like listening to great music.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues
Underground Network)
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