Album Notes

'Best Blues/R&B Album' Nominee: 1997 Pacific Music Industry Awards HIGH PRICE TO PLAY is the debut studio CD by Canadian bluesman, Nigel Mack. The CD features 12 original songs by the veteran Canadian guitar/harmonica player and vocalist. The all-original HIGH PRICE TO PLAY features many different blues stylings. From the horn laden 'Gal Friday', through the juke joint harmonica instrumental, 'Extra Extra', to the uptown funk of 'Bad Girls', this CD covers a lot of musical ground. Recorded at Vancouver's 'Blue Wave' studios, home to some of the hottest recordings in North America (Downchild Blues Band, Amos Garrett), HIGH PRICE TO PLAY was recorded with a sharp eye toward high production values, while still embracing the honesty of the blues. What the critics have been saying: "From the opening electric guitar sear of 'Gal Friday' it becomes clear that Vancouver, Canada's Nigel Mack has what it takes to play the blues,... Mr. Mack is a triple blues threat." Scope Magazine, Champaign, Ill. "The recording is a great listen, with slow blues, hot harmonica grooves, boogie tunes and insightful lyrics." Cam Hayden, Vue Weekly, Edmonton AB "A fine harp player & an excellent guitarist,...and plays great slide in some neat contexts, like the funky 'Someone Like You'." Blues Scene Quarterly "...an upbeat, sophisticated take on the blues with a variety of different sounds..." See Magazine, Edmonton AB "...well arranged, played with a lot of energy and really good taste. The production and horns are clean and strong, the guitar playing is sweet, the harp is powerful and the band is tight. ...this is a very superior effort." Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records, Chicago IL "An excellent CD, featuring great production,..." Holger Petersen, CKUA, Edmonton, AB