Review: Big Harp George ‘Cut My Spirit Loose’
By Mike O’Cull
Acclaimed San Francisco blues singer, chromatic harmonica player, and songwriter Big Harp George throws an all-out party on his new solo effort Cut My Spirit Loose.
The set is available now on Blues Mountain Records and showcases George’s skill and proficiency as a vocalist, harp man, and writer across a panorama of blues and jazz styles, all rendered with relevant, relatable lyrics and an irreverent sense of humor. He tracked the record with a highly-talented, all-star band made up of guitarist Kid Andersen, bassist Joe Kyle Jr., drummers June Core and Derrick “D’Mar” Martin, and keyboardist Chris Burns. The 13 songs that emerged from these sessions are expressive, energetic, and compellingly original. George definitely has his own thing going and, with these players behind him, he can do no wrong.
Big Harp George, a.k.a. George Bisharat, is a Blues Music Award and Independent Blues Award nominee with a wide-open, freewheeling style. He began dropping records in 2014 after previously prioritizing his careers as a criminal defense attorney, award-winning professor of law at UC Hastings College of the Law, and expert commentator on law and politics in the Middle East. Cut My Spirit Loose is his fifth album as a leader and his music has earned George extensive airplay and critical praise. His use of the chromatic harmonica in place of the more common diatonic harps most players employ gives him a jazzy, sophisticated sound that sets him apart from almost everyone. Whether he’s playing one of his own tunes or reinventing a cover, no one does it quite like George.
BHG kicks off the album with the jump blues gem “It’s Tuesday,” a humorous look at life during the pandemic lockdown. Judging by the temperature of this cut, being quarantined with George sounds like a rocking good time. The band behind him is wound up and glorious, especially guitarist Kid Andersen. George delivers his vocals with exuberance and charisma, never mind the Covid, and he has the star quality to fill any socially-distanced dance floor in town. His harp work? Absolutely top-shelf.
“Pile Driving Sam” is driving, mid-tempo cut with a touch of 50s rock and roll to it. It’s the story of the title character, an ordinary guy with a magic touch in the dating department. George puts the vocal across amazingly well, really leaning into the storytelling aspect of the words.
“Bustin’ Out” is a Mardi Gras party-starter. George adds his harmonica skills to a full-on French Quarter brass band for a second-line parade and, for a few minutes, all is right in the world. There’s nothing in the universe like the New Orleans sound and instrumental cuts like this speak to the soul without using a single word. You simply can’t help but move to it.
One of the coolest songs on Cut My Spirit Loose is George’s Latin boogie treatment of The Beatles’ “She’s A Woman.” It’s an unexpected way to hear this familiar tune and George does an outstanding job of turning it into a multi-level winner. The band’s syncopated groove is to die for and the good vibes from all the musicians involved are easy to feel.
The swinging “Prince Of Downward Mobility” is another blast of George’s sense of humor. The lighthearted lyrics about how he had it all and lost it will resonate with a lot of listeners and his harmonica sounds great against the horn section. Other highlights on Cut My Spirit Loose include “Take A Knee” and “Sunrise Stroll.” Big Harp George is a blues sensation in all ways and this is one of the most entertaining sets of music you’ll encounter this year. Turn it up and have a ball!
Big Harp website
“Behind The Eight Ball”
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