Harry Muskee Band "Love Vendetta" 1977****

Rather unknown internationally, Harry Muskee was a living legend in The Netherlands. He came from the north of the country, where he was especially loved - in his native province of Drenthe, as well as in neighbouring Groningen, which is where I lived in 2011 when his death was reported in the local media. Only then did I realize how popular a figure he was: more than the leader of 60's stalwarts Cuby & The Blizzards, he was the embodiment of the Blues to his fellow countrymen. In their minds, at least, Muskee was as much an authentic bluesman as Muddy Waters. Skin colour or nationality had nothing to do with it - and, indeed, why should they? He did serve the blues faithfully for decades. Like his British counterpart Alexis Korner, he started from trad jazz but decided to turn to the blues after listening to John Lee Hooker for the first time. In 1964, he founded beat/blues band Cuby And The Blizzards, whose music was more or less similar to contemporary British Blues Boom bands like John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Yardbirds, Animals, Savoy Brown etc. They proved to be quite successful, while an early incarnation of the band featured future Dutch rock star Herman Brood on keyboards. They broke up in 1972, with Muskee forming other units before reverting to the more successful Blizzards name. "Love Vendetta" was the only LP he made under the Harry Muskee Band moniker. Something of a lost classic, it appears to have never been re-released. More pop/rock-oriented than his previous records, it opens with the upbeat "Devil Daisy" with soul horns and female backing vocals, somewhat reminiscent of mid-70's Rolling Stones. It was the album's first single, followed by "Mr. Cool" sporting a Country-meets-Southern Soul vibe. Another popular album track was "Victor". For some reason, and despite the bluesy instrumentation, this reminds me of Cockney Rebel. "Claws" and "Bad News" are typical, Eric Clapton-style, blues rockers, and "Piece of Mind" a nice instrumental. "Solid Sender" and "Love Vendetta" are atmospheric slow blues with emotive guitar (played by Bernard Reinke). Probably my favourite songs on the record, thanks to their smoky late night vibe. An album that's definitely worth saving from obscurity, highly recommended for fans of Clapton, Joe Cocker, J.J.Cale, Chris Rea, Eric Burdon etc.

**** for Devil Daisy, Victor, Solid Sender, Love Vendetta, Bad News

*** for Claws, Mr.Cool, Piece of Mind