A Man, a Guitar and a Harmonica

Harmonica Hinds combines his experience as a veteran of the harp with the lessons passed to him by other torch bearers of the blues community. His new compact disc entitled Finally is a declaration of a seasoned musician at the height of his career.

This new disc encompasses a traditional yet fun side of the blues often associated with Hinds. Any one of his live performances he can be seen playing a series of instruments all at once, but the disc allows him to focus solely on the two instruments that he has devoted his life to mastering—the harmonica and guitar. And in the arrangement of songs Hinds is backed by an all-star cast, who themselves, have a long-standing familiarity with the Chicago blues circuit. They have also gained the respect of peers in their careers. This solid band stands strong behind the vocals and lead of Hinds.

All of the songs were written, arranged and produced by Hinds. An original treat, traditional and contemporary, composed to keep up with the changing times. In the company of Hinds there lies optimism, a fresh perspective on blues and a renewed dedication to one’s purpose in life. This intimate look into the purpose of one man and his destiny is captured wholeheartedly in this disc.

BLUES REVUE
ISSUE # 116 FEB/MAR 2009
HARMONICA HINDS
Finally
self-release

Harmonica Hinds is a fixture at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, where he often performs solo on acoustic guitar and harmonica. After seeing the cover of Finally-a photo of Hinds blowing harp without a microphone-you expect a laid -back folk-blues set, but the first track, the aptly titled "Wake the Spirit," is a vigorous electric boogie. As soon as you hear the opening note, you know that the five-man band (including Kenny Smith on drums and Eddie Taylor Jr. on guitar) is ready to go to work.
One of the most talented musicians on today's Chicago scene, Hinds has appeared on albums by Koko Taylor, Lefty Dizz, and John Primer. Yet his harmonica work is never mere icing on someone else's cake. Finally adheres to the Fifties Chicago blues tradition, but Hinds clearly appreciates variety: "You Got It Good" sounds like a minor-key theme from an old Western, and on "Take Your Time" and "Can't Stay Here Forever," Smith keeps time on a hi-hat cymbal rather than a full drum kit. The effect is startling in the best way possible, especially considering the latter song's sobering, omnious lyrics, which remind us that we go around only once in this life.
Hinds is a traditionalist, and he's fortunate to work with players who have the same musical values. True to its title, the arrival of this album will make fans of Chicago blues say, "Finally!"

-James Porter

BLUES & RHYTHM
No 233 OCT 2008
HARMONICA HINDS: Finally
Harmonica Hinds Music (64:52)
Wake The Spirit/ Goin Down To The River/ It's So Cold/ You Got It Good/ Take Your Time/ Stop Complaining/ Imelda/ Harmonica Hinds Shuffle/ Don't You Steal My Money/ Can't Stay Here Forever/ That Old Dichotomy/ Connected With The Sun

The title of this release is very apt; as a full length CD from this Chicago master, who inhabits those out of the way neighbourhood places, and who also enjoys a regular gig at Buddy Guy's Legends is long overdue. Long timers may remember that Hinds was part of the 1977's startling 'New Generation Of Chicago Blues' package that included the then young Lurrie Bell, Billy Branch, Vernon and Joe Harrington, and James Kinds, that Jim O'Neal and Willie Dixon put together for that famous gig at the Berlin Jazz Festival. He also appeared on Koko Taylor's 1978 'Earthshaker' CD on Alligator.
Hinds has remained active over the years on the Chicago blues scene and these days he can be seen often with Eddie Taylor Junior, playing gigs around Chicago, as well as doing his own shows. Eddie appears on this disc supporting Hinds on guitar and Eddie's slant on the blues complements Hinds' perfectly, as both of their musical leanings are to the Chicago blues ensemble sounds of the the fifties and early sixties.
Hinds appears on Eddie's latest Wolf CD, 'I Got To Make This Money Baby', which received a favourable review in B&R. He also has two numbers on the impending second volume of 'Diamonds In The Rough, Chicago Blues Harmonica Project'. After toiling away out of the limelight for so long he is starting to enjoy a higher profile and it is a shame that it has taken so long , as he is clearly a talented individual. He has strong hints of the second Sonny Boy and Little Walter in his harp playing and his voice has a nasal edge to it. The only criticism of this CD is that some numbers tend to meander on too long and could have been shorter and more focussed.Taylor plays with his usual subtle and never flashy charm throughout and young Kenny Smith, on drums, keeps that Chicago beat. The set was recorded at two sessions in Chicago in the spring of 2008 and features original material from Hinds.
Things start off well with the upbeat, near boogie instrumental,'WakeThe Spirit', with fine chording from Taylor and great harp work from our man.'You Got It Good' is similar with an infectious and repetitive guitar line pushing the number along and features Hinds blowing away on the chromatic. The instrumental 'Take Your Time' is nice, easy and slow and well constructed. 'Harmonica Hinds Shuffle' is exactly what the song title states, an infectious instrumental with Taylor playing subtle slide guitar lines. The band and Hinds collectively brew up a storm on the uptempo 'Don't You Steal My Money'. That lump de lum Chicago Chicago shuffle sound is never far away; 'Stop Complaining', 'Can't Stay Here Forever' and 'That Old
Dichotomy' are good examples of that style. Overall this disc is very much a winner and worthy of your
attention, especially if you like the sounds of Eddie Taylor Junior, his father and Snooky Pryor et al.
Mike Stephenson