TRUE BELIEVER REVIEWS and QUOTES
“Mark Hummel knocks it out of the park Again with True Believer! This man has been recording and bringing the top players in blues music for 39 years. You can’t go that long unless you have the respect of the best in the business. And Mark has it.”
~ Curtis Salgado
“Mark Hummel is a true master. His tone, phrasing and, most of all, his soul are all part of what makes him one of the most important purveyors of blues harmonica.”
~ Chris Cain
“It’s so nice to hear straight ahead blues instead of blues rock bs! You got some good tunes and I applaud Mark for doing Elvin’s tune “What The Hell”!!!!!”
~ Charlie Musselwhite
“During the half a century and counting of his blues odyssey, Mark Hummel has pretty much done it all: gigs around the globe, often presenting packages which provide work and exposure for many cohorts and adding up to uncountable road miles; a hefty catalog of solid, rousing and well-informed recordings with a Grammy Award and other honors to show for it; and seeing his band serve as a launching pad or boost to numerous careers.
Hummel's latest album “True Believer”, recorded at Kid Andersen's Greaseland studio, is an affirmation of Mark's ongoing taste in accompanists (including Junior Watson, Billy Flynn, and Bob Welsh, blues veterans Oscar Wilson and Joe Beard and some longtime rhythm section stalwarts). The illustrious crew honors some timeless material by Otis Rush, B.B. King, Little Walter, Fleetwood Mac and Elvin Bishop, and an enjoyable quotient of his own witty and up-to-the-minute compositions. The blues life isn't an easy one; it takes a sense of calling and a whole lot of toughness and perseverance. The smiles, chills and foot tapping induced by this new high water mark are testimony that our listening and the blues world are better because Mark Hummel is a true believer.”
~ Dick Shurman
“This is a very good bunch of songs. The recordings sound great and all the players are top notch and played really well. I enjoyed listening to this recording numerous times in a row. Mark’s singing is particularly good on these songs and his harp playing has great command and confidence. This may be the best yet from Mark!”
~ Magic Dick
Living Blues Review - Issue 292 - Sept/Oct
CLICK ON IMAGE TO READ REVIEW
Living Blues Radio Chart for August 2024
CD REVIEW - BMAN'S BLUES REPORT
Bman's Blues Report
Mark Hummel
True Believer
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, True Believer, from Mark Hummel and it's chocked full of smoking blues. Opening with Chicago style blues track, High Time For The Devil, Oscar Wilson on lead vocals leads the way with solid pace and force, and Mark Hummel on harmonica really shines. Bob Welsh on piano adds a perfect glisten to the track, backed by Randy Bermudes on bass, Billy Flynn on guitar, and Wes Starr on drums. Great opener. Otis Rush's slow blues, Double Trouble, is terrific with Junior Watson getting hot and heavy on guitar, and Hummel shining on lead vocal and harmonica. With Kedar Roy on bass, Brett Brandstadt on piano, Jack Sanford on sax, and Starr on drums, this is my favorite track on the release. Peter Green's Stop Messin' Round is a great shuffle and Hummel really gets in the slot on vocal. Watson has the lead on guitar again and his phrasing is excellent, backed by Roy, Brandstadt, Sanford and Starr. Little Walter's The Toddle, is a great track and features Hummel front and center on harmonica. With Watson on guitar, Roy on bass and Brandstadt on piano, this is a nice changeup in the mix. Wrapping the release is Shufflin' Days featuring Joe Beard on lead vocal and guitar and showcasing Hummel on harmonica. With Billy Flynn on guitar, Bob Welsh on piano, Randy Bermudes on bass and Starr on drums, this is an excellent closer.
CD REVIEW - BLUES MUSIC MAGAZINE
CD REVIEW - SOUL BAG
Mark Hummel
True Believer
Rockinitis Records
by Nicolas Deshayes
4.5 stars
Judging by his career and the longevity of his attachment to the Blues, we can only validate the title given to this new opus, Mark Hummel devoting his entire life to this music for more than forty years now. Recorded under the leadership of the essential Kid Andersen in his Greaseland studio, True Believer allows us to appreciate an artist in the fullness of his art. Remarkably surrounded, as always, Hummel shows tremendous mastery, on the harmonica more specifically, and an ability to excel in different registers. Even a title as proven as Otis Rush's “Double Trouble” manages here to find a new zest carried both by the chromatic harmonica of the boss and by the guitar, always inventive and inspired, of the formidable Junior Watson. Who, when he's not cracking down, gives way to Billy Flynn! Among the guests, let us also mention Oscar Wilson and Joe Beard whose vocal qualities we will appreciate on “High Time For The Devil” and “Shufflin’ Days” inspired by Jimmy Reed. Alongside covers of Little Walter ("Who", “The Toddler”), BB King ("Broken Heart"), Elvin Bishop ("What The Hell") and Fleetwood Mac ("Stop Messin' Round"), Hummel offers us some very fine originals including stand out in particular the excellent “Ghosted” and “Jackknifed”. A disc of real density and remarkable consistency.
CD REVIEW - Making A Scene
