Music-Style: Blues

"It's modern, it's not musical archaeology", "It celebrates a fantastic tradition. It's soul blues, and that's where you have to be at your best."
(Mississippi MacDonald)

MacDonald knows this tradition. He's been to Al Green's church and heard him preach. He's been to Willie Mitchell's Royal Studios in Memphis, where the big Hi label records were made. He's seen Jerry Lee Lewis knock over his piano stool. He met B.B. King and Pinetop Perkins, Otis Clay and Sam Moore.

Big Joe Turner advised him to listen to Albert King. In 2008, he was one of the main instigators in finally getting a stone for the previously unmarked grave of soul legend O.V. Wright.

He was nominated three times for the British Blues Awards.

He reached the top position in the Independent Blues Broadcasters Association charts. He had the support of Paul Jones at BBC Radio 2.

Blues Magazine in the Netherlands and the Washington State Blues Society praised his creative work. To date, the singer and guitarist has released seven albums. These releases mark his musical development and his ever-expanding musical palette.

Currently, his band consists of Phil Dearing (rhythm guitar - he also produces MacDonald's studio recordings), Elliot Boughen (bass)
and Mark Johnson-Brown (drums) MacDonald has arrived at the center of a powerful musical crossroads - where blues and soul meet.

Not only does he take his cues from the Black Keys, his whole ethos is that of Jack White's Third Man label - an exciting present that symbiotically draws from the past.

What makes Mississippi MacDonald irresistible is the love of music that flows through the musician and that he passes on to the audience in his concerts.

Press quote:

Oliver “Mississippi” MacDonald is a great singer, songwriter and guitar player who knows his stuff. I’d not heard him before and look forward to hearing his other stuff and I hope to be seeing him perform live someday!

(Steve Jones, Blues Blast Magazin)

Pick up Do Right, Say Right and make your own day. Highly recommended.
(Mike O' Cull, rockandbluesmuse.com)

The blues is in good hands with Mississippi MacDonald. He has made an album destined for many a blues fans collection. Great fun to listen to and here’ hoping he gets out on the road to play these songs soon, as the blues is music made for the live arena.

(Jason Ritchie, get ready to Rock)

Rock at Night says: “This album is such a beautiful mix of Blues, Blues Rock, Rhythm and Blues and Soul, a joy to listen to. With mostly medium tempo songs, great hooks and musicianship and a tip of the hat to the old blues players of the past and their classic recordings, this is one album to put in the player and sing along to. Bravo!“

(Anita Stewart, Rock at Night)

Do Right, Say Right” is perhaps best summed up like this: A man from England called Mississippi with an ear for the classic and an eye on the future has nailed the Chicago sound. Never mind where he’s from, it’s all about where you are now, and this is sensational.

(Andy Thorley, Maximum Valium Music)

This is an excellent album. Enjoy it soon and often.
(Jim White, bluesroadhouse.com)

One could say that the sound of Do Right, Say Right is old-fashioned.  But with all but one of the tracks on the album self-penned, I prefer to think of it as Mississippi MacDonald stirring together all his songwriting, six-string and vocal influences, and putting his own personal stamp on them.  At a time when blues covers albums by big names seem to be all the rage, full marks to him and his gang for doing their own thing, and pulling it off.

(Blues Enthused)

Availability:      on request (booking lead time 5 weeks)
Location:          Clubs, Festivals
Requirements: Hotel (travel party 3-4), catering, local PA

Price:                on request