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Blues Underground Network |
Mitch Kashmar & The Pontiax "100 Miles To Go"
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Their are probably quite a few, including myself whom believed Mitch Kashmar was a more recent addition to the ever expanding blues horizon, but we would all be wrong. You see Mitch Kashmar has actually been plying his trade since 1980, when he formed his own group, The Pontiax, a group dedicated to a variety of styles, Chicago Blues, New Orleans R&B, West Coast Jump Blues, Swing, Jazz, Texas Blues, and a few more. With Kashmar's exceptional Vocal, Songwriting, and Harmonica Skills, him and The Pontiax became an immensely popular and sought after band and over a nearly 20 year span backed up some of the greatest acts around, such as Albert Collins, Charlie Musselwhite, Pinetop Perkins, to name a few. The original "100 Miles To Go" consisted of 10 Tracks, but the new reprised Album contains of an additional 2 Bonus Tracks, "When You Do Me Like That (I Wanna Do You Like This)", and a more than appropriate song, considering recent events, "The Petroleum Blues". Band members for this release include the following, Jon Lawton (Guitar), Bill Flores (Guitar/Tenor Sax), Jack Kennedy (Bass), and Tom Lackner (Drums). Special Guests included Jim Calire (Piano/Organ), and William Clarke (Harmonica). William Clarke along with Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds had a few nice words to say about The Pontiax, in the liner notes. Of the 12 Tracks on "100 Miles To Go", 9 are Kashmar originals. The 3 covers are, "Gonna Find Someone New" (Deadric Malone), "Horn Of Plenty" (William Clarke), and "Long As I Have You" (Willie Dixon). Their are quite a few around that believe that "100 Miles To Go", was essentially their breakout album and certainly after giving it a good listen, I can see why. In keeping with the groups expertise playing many styles, "100 Miles To Go", offers a little something for everyone, from Straight Up Harmonica to Jazz Tinged Blues and lots in between. I especially liked the way that Kashmar held back on this Album, shining of course when he needed to, but also letting the other players shine to. "100 Miles To Go" is a great new addition to any blues lovers collection and a testament to a great band from the past and a great Artist for the future. Review By John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network) Other Info And Reviews ...The word is finally out! Once considered by many locals in the know to be one of Southern California’s best kept secrets… Mitch Kashmar is a name now found commonplace in the vocabulary of any true Blues harmonica enthusiast. And while his sudden arrival on the national Blues landscape may appear to be swift and unforeseen, Kashmar’s rise to the top has been anything but. Long before establishing his current solo career status with the debut of 2005’s heralded release Nickels & Dimes on Delta Groove Music, Kashmar had an extensively notable and successful first run with the Santa Barbara based group The Pontiax. The Pontiax began life in the early 1980’s, sweatin’ it out and honing their chops in the local bars and venues in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties. By the mid-80’s, Kashmar relocated to Los Angeles where The Pontiax’s reputation as one of the premiere West Coast Blues bands continued to grow as they expanded their base and visibility across the Southern California region. As their popularity flourished, the band eventually took to the road with tours throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the South Pacific. Their notoriety also found them favor with many Blues luminaries whose high regard for their talent landed them opportunities to back up legends such as Albert Collins, Luther Tucker, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Pinetop Perkins, Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Turner and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson. 100 Miles To Go is the welcome reissue of the long out of print classic 80’s recording by The Pontiax featuring Mitch Kashmar, long before he became a household name. Recorded at Pacifica Studios in Los Angeles, California, the band’s distinguished lineup features Jon Lawton and Bill Flores on guitars, Jim Calire on piano and organ, Jack Kennedy on bass, and Tom Lackner on drums. Also of special note is an appearance by legendary West Coast Blues harmonica virtuoso William Clarke, who generously lends his full-bodied tone to the storming instrumental Horn of Plenty. Delta Groove Music now proudly makes available once again this highly sought-after recording with the addition of two newly recorded bonus tracks by the original members of The Pontiax as they sound today! Delta Groove Productions http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/music/releases/100milestogo/main.html
Kashmar sings and plays harmonica, backed by Jon Lawton and Bill Flores on guitars, Jim Calire on piano and organ, Jack Kennedy on bass, and Tom Lackner on drums. After coming out of the west coast blues scene, this album broke Kashmar through and allowed for touring and recording opportunities to follow. Kashmar has a big sweeping harmonica sound and smoky full bodied voice that brings the music a certain emotional depth. "As Long As I Have You" is taken at a nice mid-tempo with the band setting a invigorating shuffle pace and Kashmar wringing a lot of emotional mileage from his singing. Harmonica interludes are patient and thoughtfully done, integrated well into the music and are classy, not flashy. "100 Miles To Go" is a nice uptempo shuffle that explores standard blues themes of love and life on the road. Lawton and Flores trade guitar sparks that keep the pace moving along nicely. The late harmonica wizard William Clarke sat in on the instrumental “Horn of Plenty,” trading solo spots with Kashmar and making for nice laid back jazzy feel. "Lip Service" is another harmonica based instrumental, taken at a very fast pace, it is a fine display of Kashmar's ability on the instrument. Horns are added to fill out the sound on "Gonna Find Somebody New" and their riffing behind the music adds a nice dimension to the song. A couple of bonus tracks are added on to the original album, notably "The Petroleum Blues," a recent "blues and the news" song that deals nicely with the environmental degradation caused by humanity's insatiable desire for oil and gas. This is a very solid and well done blues album. The musicians are patient and let the grooves come to them and play with a great deal of class. Kashmar is a fine singer and harp player and deserves wider attention. Review By Tim (Music And More) http://jazzandblues.blogspot.com/2010/08/mitch-kashmar-and-pontiax-100-miles-to.html
Certainly one can understand the enthusiasm Clarke and Wilson had about this band and recording. Kashmar & the Pontiax, based on this recording were turning out strong blues in the vein of Clarke, Wilson, Rod Piazza, James Harman and Mark Hummel. Kashmar’s music perhaps bears the strongest similarity with the robustness of his vocals and his harp playing, and his band was, and is, terrific. From the opening notes of the jumping “Night Creeper,” where Kashmar sings about his partying ways to the closing notes of his topical “The Petroleum Blues,” the music is of a high level with good songs and great playing. Two instrumentals showcase Kashmar’s ample harp chops, with William Clarke’s “Horn of Plenty,” being a choice harp duet as Clarke guests here. Kashmar’s interpretation of “Long As I Have You,” a Willie Dixon song, stands up to Little Walter’s original to indicate how good the music can be. Fans of Kashmar’s earlier discs will wonder why it took him so long to get established, but in any event, just enjoy. Review Courtesy Of In A Blue Mood... http://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2010/08/kashmar-pontiax-sound-solid-blue-two.html Tracklist
01. Night Creeper (4:05)
BONUS TRACKS Listen To Audio Clips Here... About Mitch Kashmar Noted by his peers as one of the most soulful and powerful blues singers in the business today, Mitch Kashmar has shared the stage with some of the most influential blues musicians including John Lee Hooker, Big Joe Turner, Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Pee Wee Crayton, Johnny Adams and many others. So, it was an honor, yet no surprise, for Mitch to be invited to perform at the 9th Annual Edmonton's Labatt Blues Festival in Western Canada in August 2007. Blues fans throughout Canada witnessed Mitch Kashmar and his band in action at the festival. And fortunately for blues fans elsewhere in the world, the event was captured for posterity by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and released by Delta Groove Music. Joining Kashmar at this festival performance are former bandmate from the Pontiax, drummer Tom Lackner, bassist Steve Nelson, pianist Jimmy Calire, and former William Clarke guitarist, John Marx, providing the perfect foil to Kashmar's dynamic harp playing and emotive vocals. "Mitch Kashmar is my absolute favorite
blues harp player of his generation, and one of my favorites period! He's
also a first-class vocalist - his singing really knocks me out." - William
Clarke The musical styles of The Pontiax drew on a wide range of influences including Chicago Blues, New Orleans R&B, West Coast Jump Blues and Swing, Boogie Woogie, Louisiana Swamp Rock, Texas Blues and straight forward Jazz. The Pontiax also became very popular within the music community being called into action on stage as back up band with many legendary blues musicians such as Albert Collins, Charlie Musselwhite, Luther Tucker, Pinetop Perkins, William Clarke, Kim Wilson, Roy Gaines and many of the aforementioned artists. "Mitch was only 19 when I first heard
him and he sounded good even then. Mitch's blues harp playing is second to none for creativity, drive and excitement. And he's also just as witty and imaginative in the role of songwriter. He's shared the stage with some of the biggest names in blues over the years with Stevie Ray Vaughan paying him the ultimate compliment given from one musician to another: "Can I sit in?" Moving on to a solo career recording "Crazy Mixed-Up World" in '99, Kashmar started making a name for himself and touring with his own band but it wasn't until his 2005 effort "Nickels & Dimes", featuring guitar great Junior Watson on Delta Groove Music's label, that his stock really began to rise. Kashmar was recognized two consecutive years in a row by the Blues Music Awards with nominations in 2006 as Best New Artist Debut and followed in 2007 as Best Instrumentalist - Harmonica. When taking a break from his solo career, Mitch has also signed on for active duty with the latest touring incarnation of the classic 70's funk-rock band War, and even made rock 'n' roll history appearing onstage alongside legendary British rocker Eric Burdon & War for a reunion concert held on April 21, 2008 at London's Royal Albert Hall. Mitch Kashmar has come a long way since his youth in what is now often perceived as the quaint beachside community of Santa Barbara, CA. They've all known what the rest of the blues world is about to find out: Mitch Kashmar is a force to be reckoned with in the blues. http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/music/artists/mitch_kashmar/main.html
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