Max Hightower

Nothin’ but the Truth

MoMojo Records

Max Hightower was born and raised in the state of South Carolina. At the age of twelve he bought his first Blues cassette tape Muddy “Mississippi” Live by Muddy Waters. The mysterious sound of the music had such an immediate impact on him that in no time he was banging around on his Grandmother’s Silvertone guitar. However, it was the harmonica that became his instrument of choice. He found that there was something almost spiritual about having an instrument that close to his voice, giving every breath meaning. That little ten-hole harp led him down the path of composing his own songs, playing the piano, bass, guitar, singing, teaching and producing. As one of the founding members of Plate Full O’ Blues, with vocalist Mac Arnold, he now tours the U.S., Canada and Europe. He has shared the stage with some of the very legends that fueled his passion and inspired him, including Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Bob Margolin, and Eddie Shaw.

Max’s journey has always been about finding that raw, unfiltered groove. His new album is a testament to that spirit. Fed up with studios insisting on overdubs, Max hit the road for New Orleans and laid down tracks at Big Tone Studios, where reel-to-reel machines, vintage mics and vintage tube amps recaptured the no-frills soul of a live band. Produced by Max and Big Jon Atkinson, and mixed and mastered by Big Jon, they are backed by a rotating lineup of New Orleans horn and piano wizards, pouring everything into the sessions.

The ensemble includes drummer Brandon Phelps who owns the groove, and Steadman “Fleetwood” Williams, Sr. who brings the funk. The soul is aided by the horn section of James Beaumont, baritone and alto saxes; Adam Lessneu, trombone and sousaphone, and keyboardist Rob Davis. Atkinson also plays guitar on four tracks.

The album opens with Double Bubble as Max sing’s “you’ll find me when I take a walk …in the evening baby, will you slow down…isn’t that what its all about…you’ll find me”. “It’s On Me”, “yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s on me baby…I got money baby, I’ll take care of you …what’s your name baby” with a different rhythm section of Tyler Thompson, bass; Nick Solnick, drums; and organ and piano from Brian “BC” Coogan. The funky “Here She Comes” follows, with Rob Davis back on piano and organ.

“Damned If I Do” is the first of four songs featuring Big Jon Atkinson on guitar, with more great harmonica from vocalist Max as he chants “I’m damned if I do, babe, damned if I don’t”. On “Twitchy Witcha” the horns of Beaumont, and Lessneu are featured as Davis plays piano “I’m workin’ overtime…way down in Memphis”. “My Baby and Me” includes the lyric “you know my baby is alright, you know my baby is outta’ sight”. The horns play again on “Sweet Gum Tree” as Max chimes “I’ll take you round and round, that sweet gum tree”. “Too Much of Not Enough” follows with Davis on piano, and Big Jon on guitar.

“Think Jello” again with the horns, as Davis provides harmony to Max’s lead, “think jello, do I love ya’ baby, think jello, I gotta have it baby”. “I Ain’t Lyin” includes some sax from Beaumont as Max croons “don’t get me wrong, I belong to you…I ain’t lyin”. “Snuggle Bug” is another vocal with Big Jon on guitar. The closer “Assmoghraph” is a funky, instrumental, again with Big Jon on guitar.

“Nothin’ but the Truth” is an auspicious debut for Max Hightower. It is a treasure trove of original tunes oozing with funky Southern grease. Max is on a mission to keep the blues, fresh, fearless, and downright fun. This is an honest, foot-stomping celebration of the blues.

Richard Ludmerer

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