Ricky Flake: Blues-rock and more: Biloxi Sun-Herald

'If You Think It's Hot Here,' Mike Henderson Band (EllerSoul Records, HHHH½)

This CD has been out since March 24, but it arrived in early April at my place. Mike Henderson (lead vocals, guitar and harmonica), Kevin McKendree (excellent piano and B-3), Michael Rhodes (bass) and Pat O'Connor (drums) recorded the album with a few special guests (guitarist Don Underwood and background vocalists Chris Stapleton and Morgane Stapleton) at Franklin, Tenn.'s The Rock House.

A rip-roaring version of Carl Perkins' "Matchbox," a "Memphis"-flavored cover of "Send You Back to Georgia," the gospel-tinged title song, a powerful take on Muddy's "Mean Red Spider" and a positively nifty closing instrumental called "Rock House Blues" are my current favorites; but nearly every song has something to recommend it.

Blues and rockin' piano fans will dig this album.

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