THE MIGHTY MIKE SCHERMER BAND: Next Set

The Mighty Mike Schermer Band

Next Set

© 2005 Mike Schermer (825346884820)

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Blues and American Roots Music: Mighty Mike plays it all from hard ass guitar blues to vintage soul and a little rock and roll as well. Contains the 2006 Carolina Beach Music National Dance Song of the Year "My Big Sister's Radio"

notes

Mighty Mike Schermer tops the wave of contemporary electric guitarists with his exciting approach to blues and American roots music. This energetic guitarist/vocalist/songwriter has truly become "mighty" with his impressive, hard-driving performances that urge even the most die-hard purists to their feet. Currently touring behind his second release "Next Set" Schermer brings a wealth of experience to his own project after playing with some of the top artists in the business.

The 12-track CD on Fine Dog Records features 10 crafty originals and 2 covers. The music literally jumps out of the box from the first riff of the butt-shakin' opener "Got My Love On" then rolls perfectly into the old school R&B sing-along "My Big Sister's Radio". "Next Set" continues to please with guest performances by Maria Muldaur, Texas blues belter Angela Strehli, and Vanguard recording artist Shana Morrison. Soulful background vocals are handled dutifully throughout by Tammi Brown and "The Sista"- Sista Monica Parker. The Mighty Mike Schermer Band is anchored by co-writer and bassist Steve Ehrmann (formerly with Coco Montoya, John Lee Hooker and Roy Rogers) and drummers June Core (Charlie Musselwhite, Little Charlie and the Nightcats) and Paul Revelli. Austin DeLone and Dale Ockerman lay down extremely funky keyboard work, while Terry Hanck and Johnnie Bamont blow some mean sax.

Paul Liberatore of the Marin Independent Journal calls him "... one of the most extraordinary guitarists of the new generation." Charlie Lange of Bluebeat Music writes "...equally at ease with hard-ass blues or the spare necessities of vintage soul, Schermer steps forward with clever tunes, sturdy vocals and loads of great guitar!"

The CD and solo project come after a rich career touring and recording with Howard Tate, Charlie Musselwhite, Maria Muldaur, Tracy Nelson, Terry Hanck, Shana Morrison and as musical director and featured guitarist for Angela Strehli.

Willie Dixon said, "Boy, you play your ass off," while Snooky Pryor lauded his "stingin' guitar." At a show at the legendary Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA in 1996 Bonnie Raitt dubbed Schermer her "new favorite guitar player."

Mike has toured through a host of festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the San Francisco Blues Festival, the Poretta Soul Festival in Italy, the Park Tower Blues Festival in Tokyo and as a hometown favorite at seven Santa Cruz Blues Festivals.

It all began with a single note from the Master of the Telecaster - Albert Collins. As a teenager growing up in New Mexico, Schermer was originally inspired by the music of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Little Feat and the Stones. A live show by B.B. King planted a seed that flowered in Schermer's college days at a performance by Albert Collins.
"The first note from Albert's guitar that night changed everything. Here was everything I had ever heard in my head all rolled up into one note. He hit the stage with more fire and energy than any rock band I had ever heard, yet at the same time there was something pure and unadulterated about the music he played. One note from that Telecaster and it was over... I was hooked on the blues from that moment on! "says Mighty Mike.

He met Collins after the show and many times later until Collins' untimely death. From Collins, he "learned that one note can say more than a million; that you can be rooted in the styles of your heroes and still have your own sound; that you should play your ass off every time you play; and that every guitar player in the world should listen to T-Bone Walker." Valuable lessons Schermer carries with him today.

From T-Bone Walker, Schermer expanded his vocal and guitar influences to include a host of blues, R&B and jazz artists like Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Smith, Charles Brown and Howlin' Wolf. The result is a modern musician who's deeply rooted in traditional blues and roots music, and who plays with a fervor and excitement that can't be matched. His band plays hard, 'til you can't help but get up and move.

Experience the Mighty Mike Schermer Band. For more information visit them on the Web at www.mighty-mike.com.

reviews

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  • BEST DAMN THANG I'VE HEARD THIS YEAR
    author: Leechy NUT

    Delicious grooves, sweet solos and funkability galore... this release knocks you on your ass from note one!!! Songs that just reach right into your heart and "rattle around in there" until you can't take it any more! I'm hooked... ready for more more more!!!!

  • A Must Have!
    author: Yvette Durant

    It's true - sequels are never as good as the first. In the case of Next Set - it's even BETTER! Mighty Mike is truly one of the top guitarists of our age, and his lyrics and style are addictive. Trust your instincts and get this CD now - your body, your soul, your heart and your mind will not be disappointed.

  • Pure and unrelenting
    author: John Aiello - The Electric Review

    Curious music fans will want to give this CD a serious listen. Next Set will be stereotyped by many as a blues record - -which won’t do it justice at all, because it’s much more than that...a unique interpretation of that tried and true R&B sound...This record brings us back to an era when guys just walked into the hall, plugged in, sat down, and played. But in the end, what’s best about the album is it’s freshness. When all is said and done, and the next chapter of "The Great American Guitar Players" is written, Mike Schermer should be there - front and center. And Next Set proves why. You’d be well-served to pick up this CD.

  • more songs about love loss and love, with humor
    author: t

    Next Set is Mike at his warmest and most talented. I would describe it as still more songs about love loss and love, with humor and amazing musicianship all around. Buy it. It/he does not disappoint. You will smile til it hurts!

  • Stunning!
    author: Bob Putignano - WFDU Radio, New York

    Talk about soul: Mighty Mike Schermer's (Next Set) will put a kind hole in your soul, with top shelf guitar throughout! ...stunning!

  • A great new CD from one of the Bay Area's Best!
    author: Charlie Lange - Blues DJ

    Mike Schermer has been a fixture on the Bay Area blues scene for over 20 years. He has recently become one of the most sought after guitarists on that scene, backing up such heavyweights as Angela Strehli, Howard Tate, Maria Muldaur and songstress Shana Morrison. He is equally at ease with hard ass blues or the spare necessities of vintage soul. On "Next Set" Schermer steps forward with clever tunes, sturdy vocals and loads of great guitar!

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