New Release: While You Were Away by Mudcat and the Atlanta Horns (30 Miles Up)

This bluesy Atlanta collective has conjured up a delicious pot of tunes for their 13th release. Headed up by the always engaging and energized Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck, the band has mastered the celebration sound that can get any crowd into the vibe. The title track is a perfect introduction to Mudcat, shining a spotlight on every musician and every voice.

“Drink Myself Sober” sounds like a young Van Morrison with the world’s best backing band. Dudeck’s guitar and passionate, soulful vocals are a guaranteed to draw in fans of any genre. Chad Mason’s keys bring a fresh sound to the septet, while David “Snave” Evans’ bass, harmonica, and flute interjections are a key ingredient to the Mudcat sound. Eskil Wetterqvist on drums is the glue in the rhythm section, expressing true blues in each tune.

If you’re a fan of slide guitar, you’ll appreciate the smooth sweetness of “Divine the Fight,” while “Toodle-oo” brings an exotic instrumental jam. “Let It Be Me” might drive you down memory lane with a very fun production, reminiscent of the Allman Brothers Band.

The trio of the Atlanta Horns adds depth and heart to While You Were Away, raising the bar on a very live-sounding recording. The Horns consist of Mico Bowles on trumpet, Daryl Dunn on saxophone, and Lil’ Joe Burton on trombone. This threesome brings the already captivating Mudcat sound up a few notches. The band has recently traveled the world, jamming up audiences of every age group and musical affiliation. Whether you catch them at a big blues fest or haunting the stage at local spots such as Blind Willie’s or Northside Tavern, you’ll no doubt become a fan.

The album’s tracks run the gamut from instrumental gems to the full-blown near-rock experiences. You’ll be witness to folk, blues, zydeco, Dixieland jazz and everything that exists inside and outside of those categories. The wonderful “End of the Night” could potentially be a huge radio hit, if we had radio stations that would actually play substantive music. “Wake” closes the album with a beautiful spiritual. 

Live music can be a life-affirming experience. Check out Mudcat and you may understand what everyone else is saying about this wonderful band. For more information on live show, visit his website. Check out his music at Bandcamp.