American Blues News - "Dedicated to the promotion and celebration of the Blues."

Those who know Mitch Woods can tell you the man is easily one of the finest Boogie-Woogie piano players on this, or any planet. Always knowing when to hold, stop and boogie, Mitch displays all moves on his latest Vizz-Tone release 'Gumbo Blues'.

Gumbo Blues is Mitch's interpretation of the music of forgotten New Orleans blues-shouter, Smiley Lewis. Smiley has often been referred to as 'The Unluckiest man in New Orleans' because of his history of recording a song and then have it done by another singer and THAT version becomes a hit. Examples of this are his original versions of such great songs as 'I Hear You Knocking' (Dave Edmonds) , 'One Night' (Elvis) and Fats Domino's monster hit 'Blue Monday'. But Smiley was a true blues shouter – often appearing with shout master, Big Joe Turner doing battle on the stage for supremacy for the night.

On Gumbo Blues, Mitch creates an authentic sounding revival of Smiley's music. Working with some of the very best musicians that New Orleans has to offer including members of Allen Toussaint's Band, Amadee Castenell, and Brian “Breeze” Cayolle two studly saxophonists (also played on tour with Elvis Costello); John Fohl, guitarist for Dr. John, and funky as you get bassist Cornell Williams from Jon Cleary's band. Last but not least Mitch brought on Herbert Hardesty who was Fats Domino's tenor player for over 60 years, now that's the real deal.


Covering such well-known songs as, Big Mamou, Li'l Liza Jane, I Hear You Knockin' and Shame, Shame, Shame.What Mitch gives us here is more than a historical look at the music, but he works his own feelings and perspectives into them, giving us the added bonus of some really good rockin' music to listen and dance to. Mitch re-worked some of the original keys so that he could provide us with some of his best vocals ever, especially on Bumpity-Bump' which Big Joe Turner did as 'Blues Jumped a Rabbit'.

With New Orleans as his adopted home, Mitch has again proven his love for the music of the Big Easy, as he has done before with his prior release 'Big Easy Boogie'. Mitch's approach to these labors of love are to look backward, staying close to the roots, while trying to get as many of the original musicians to play with him and keep the music alive.

If you want to learn about the roots of Rock & Roll, Funk, then, yes indeedie pick up Gumbo Blues, cos if this music don't move ya, then Jack you're dead !