Omnivore Recordings artist: Henry Townsend - Mule - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Mule, by Henry Townsend, and it's solid old school blues. Opening with Bad Luck Dice, Townsend is on vocal and piano laying down really strong piano blues. This is a great intro of things to come. Townsend's vocal wailing continues into Things Have Changed with terrific piano and added mandolin by Yank Rachell. On boogie piano track, The Old Man's Soul, Townsend changes it up a bit but it's all Townsend with signature piano style and vocals. Very nice. Vernell Townsend has excellent lead vocals on Tears Come Rollin' Down with additional guitar to henry by Norman Merritt. One of my favorite tracks on the release is It's A Hard Road To Travel with some of the more refined vocals by Townsend with smooth piano lead. Rachell joins Townsend on guitar on Talkin' Guitar Blues, another solid romping blues track with a cool jagged rhythm. Piano instrumental, Alley Strut is a cool piano boogie with Townsend on piano and in his traditional style. Excellent. Vernell is back up front on vocal with Henry on Can't You See. These two voices mesh together quite nicely with only jangly guitar behind. Rachell's mandolin playing on Dark Clouds Rising is very strong and again a superior vocal and piano effort by Henry. Another favorite is Nice and kind with crisp piano work and vocal by Henry. Rachell and Henry play guitar on Goin' Back Down South and with strong conviction, delivers super melodic vocals. Wrapping the release is Since You've Come Back Home with Henry on vocal and piano and Merritt on guitar. This is an excellent closer for a really strong early blues recording. This release has excellent fidelity and includes 8 previously unissued tracks. Very fine. 

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