The Mighty Orq has been performing solo and with his band since 2002, but many new fans discovered him when he reached the finals of the 2016 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Now, he has a new album, Love in a Hurricane, and those new fans will have the opportunity to enjoy and share his versatile, soulful style.

The album features The Mighty Orq on vocals and electric, acoustic, resonator, cigar box and Wiessenborn guitars along his regular touring band, Jimmy Rose on mandolin as well as drums and percussion, Barry Seelen on organ, piano, and accordion, and Terry Day on bass. The variety of instruments alone lets you know that this is going to be an exciting roots album, and it is!

The sweet, smooth “Say It With Silence,” showcases Orq’s vocals, while the closing instrumental number, “Cannon Ball,” played on the Wiessenborn lap steel guitar highlight his strength as a composer and instrumentalist, although I felt that the title was slightly inappropriate for a song that does indeed invoke the Civil War era but in a more solemn and less incendiary manner. It is still a beautiful song.

Among the remaining original tunes the title tune, “Love in a Hurricane,” is a story-telling song about a couple and their strong but stormy relationship. while the humorous “The Possum Song,” is the only) song I have ever heard about a possum that is (That’s All Right)” is a party song and “Big Boat” is pure gospel. These songs illustrate Orq’s versatility.

In addition to the 10 original songs, the album includes 2 covers, Freddy King’s soul-shouter “Pack It Up,” and, at the other end of the musical spectrum, Son House’s dark and somber “Death Letter Blues” which Orq handles adequately although his voice is really not deep enough to make the song as creepy as it should be.

Speaking about the new album, Orq said, “I’m particularly excited about the new album because I’ve finally been able to combine all the elements of my various performance styles in one place…There are rockers, singer-songwriter tunes, solo acoustic and cigar box songs, as well as southern rock, gospel and blues. It feels like the most complete portrait to date of all the musical styles I love to play.”

That pretty well sums it up. On Love is a Hurricane, the Mighty Orq is mighty entertaining. :