MELISSA MARTIN AND THE MIGHTY RHYTHM KINGS: On The Mark

Melissa Martin and the Mighty Rhythm Kings

On The Mark

© 2003 Melissa Martin and the Mighty Rhythm Kings (685747025624)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Blues, specifically Jump Blues, specifically West Coast Jump Blues

notes

"The first time I heard Melissa Martin and the Mighty Rhythm Kings ("MRK") was at a small club in my hometown, West Chester, Pennsylvania. To tell the truth, I actually heard them through some open second floor windows as I walked by outside. I stopped and stood there, glued to the pavement just to hear the rest of a scorching version of Louis Jordan's "Let The Good Times Roll". Now I'm a sucker for a band with a great female vocalist, so before the drummer could count in the next tune I was inside and making my way upstairs.

Keep in mind, it's Thursday night in a small town about thirty miles outside of Philadelphia but the scene was classic. A long narrow bar room with just enough smoky haze for atmosphere, every table and bar stool filled, people tapping their feet and rapping their fingers and at the far end of the room a five foot ten blonde and her wailing band are playing a rockin' old Etta James number and man, I'm a fan. It happened that fast!

Inspired by the great Blues singers, shouters and players that played and recorded in California in the late Forties and Fifties Melissa Martin and the Mighty Rhythm Kings have been playing Blues, Jump Blues and R&B in the West Coast tradition for the past seven years. They are a smokin' six (occasionally seven) piece band fronted by one of the most potent voices on the Philly Blues scene today.

Though there have been changes over the years, (keyboard players have come and gone; there have been four sax players) defying the odds, the three founding members are still playing together. Vocalist Melissa Martin, guitarist David Sagherian, drummer Robin "The Big Beat" Poggi are now joined by the talents of piano player and vocalist Paul Matecki, guitarist Neil "Porkroll" Taylor, and bassist Jeff Michael. On special occasions the band is augmented by tenor sax man Mark Coffey.

The five "Kings" have years of live experience behind them. Take the second to none rhythm section--drummer Robin "The Big Beat" Poggi kept the beat for Del Chester and his House Rockers until the bands demise in 1995. Bassist Jeff Michael brings his upright to the band after years of service with a variety of jazz and blues acts all over the Delaware Valley (he replaces recently departed charter member "Memphis" Mike Rudofker, who himself was a founding member of Philadelphia's legendary dance blues band "the Dukes of Destiny"). Dave Sagherian is also a veteran of Del Chester and his House Rockers, acting as guitarist and bandleader throughout the bands five year history. Accurately dubbed the boogie woogie king, Paul Matecki leads his own band, Bender, when the MRK schedule allows. Neil Taylor joined after a ten year hitch as lead guitar and driving force behind Mudboy.

Seven years ago the woman with the big voice was a singer in search of band. Looking for an outlet for her love of the blues, a mutual friend introduced her to Dave Sagherian. It only took a rehearsal or two for everyone to realize that something special was starting.

In the five years since I first saw them, Melissa Martin and the Mighty Rhythm Kings have played clubs and bars, swing dance societies, special events and festivals from New York to Baltimore.

The last time I saw them was at a club in Newark, Delaware (in the second floor again!) I sat through three sets of stellar West Coast Blues. From Roy Brown to Ruth Brown, from Big Maybelle to Big Mama Thornton to the piano boogie of Big Joe Turner. From the out and out joy of Etta James "That's All" to the slow steamy grind of Johnny Guitar Watson's "Want Me Some Love". I am reminded time after time of why they call their live show the "Jump Blues Party".

I can't sum it up any better than a promoter did after a particularly hot set at one of the bands favorite venues, when he said to Melissa as she walked off stage -"eternally smokin'".

Yeah man, Melissa Martin and the Mighty Rhythm Kings...eternally smokin!!!"

Andy Adams, October 2002.

reviews

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  • West Coast swing done right!
    author: Skip Jasko

    The Mighty Rhythm Kings nail the style of early BB King and other artists from the golden era of R&B. Melissa's voice is as dark and smoky as a '50s juke joint. On The Mark is a gem.

  • The girl from Ipanema meets Murph and the Magictones
    author: John Grumby

    I'm suprised to read the reviews on CD Baby concerning Mellisa Martin and the Rhythm Kings album "on the mark". Clearly we have friends writing in here. Although Martin has a fine voice, to compare her with the likes of Etta James and others simply "off the mark". She has powerful vocals but limited range and her phrasing is, at best, average. I think she could best be described as a white lounge singer. The cd, entirely cover music as far as I can tell, treats most of the songs the same way. There is nothing particularly exciting about the arrangements or the lead work. Clearly holding onto the vocals of Martin, the band struggles to keep it fresh when her voice isn't present. Again, the lead work is rather plain. No tension or release evident on the whole album. Frankly, the songs are flat. There is no building process, nothing dramatic to hold your attention. Perhaps the band 'smokes' live but on this cd, they fizzle.

  • Awesome album
    author: John Schroeder

    This is a great album...Ms. Martin's vocals are gritty and sophisticated at the same time. Her phrasing is always fresh and full of surprises. The band is hot, hot, hot. You won't be disappointed. Really easy to listen to, and great for road trips. Enjoy.

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