Performer Notes

Personnel includes: Steve James, Gene Taylor, Shorty Lenoir.
Personnel: Gary Primich (vocals, harmonica); Steve James (guitar, acoustic guitar, National guitar, banjo); Mark Korpi, Shorty Lenoir (guitar); Gene Taylor (piano); Mark Rubin (acoustic bass); Dave Wesselowski, Sarah Brown (electric bass); Jeff Minnick, Rob Stupka (drums).
Audio Mixer: Stuart Sullivan.
Liner Note Author: Dan Forte.
Recording information: Arlyn Studios, Austin, TX; Hit Shack, Austin, TX.
Photographer: Todd V. Wolfson.
Although he had made solid, workmanlike albums in the past, Mr. Freeze is where all the cherries came up at once on Gary Primich's musical slot machine. While his harp playing was never in dispute, his vocals on this outing finally find their own style, sounding for the first time comfortable, assured, and totally in the pocket. Kicking off with the high-octane shuffle "Bad Poker Hand" featuring Mark Korpi's stylistic nod to Brewer Phillips, Primich contributes four of his own compositions to this 13-tracker while jumping on such stylistically diverse material as Gene Ammons' "Red Top" and Washboard Sam's "Easy Ridin' Mama," vaulting between subgenres with consummate ease. Other highlight tracks include a harp showcase on "You Came A Long Way From St. Louis" and the rumbling boogie of Mark Korpi's "Slap You Silly." Featuring guest turns from the aforementioned Korpi, bassist supreme Sarah Brown, Mark Rubin, Gene Taylor, and acoustic slide man Steve James along with Gary's regular working band, there's a wide variety of real good stuff to enjoy here. If you were to pick just one album to start absorbing this harp blower's eclectic genius, this one would make a perfect calling card. ~ Cub Koda

Professional Reviews

Down Beat (3/96, p.55) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...Gary Primich is a tonemaster; it's his harp sound, always richly textured and supple, that makes his brand of Texas blues so inviting. At times on MR. FREEZE Primich blows his harp like it was a saxophone, inviting comparisons to Charlie Musselwhite and Little Walter..."

Living Blues (1-2/96, p.80) - "...Primich emphasizes precise and powerful arrangements and variety--no two tempos are similar, and there's far more depth here than customarily found on blues recordings..."

Album: Mr. Freeze
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Bad Poker Hand
2)	I'm the One
3)	Route 90
4)	Mr. Freeze
5)	Go on Fool
6)	Dummy on Your Knee
7)	Dallas, Texas
8)	Slap You Silly
9)	Jenny Brown
10)	You Came a Long Way from St. Louis
11)	Red Top
12)	Easy Ridin' Mama
13)	Let Me Go Home, Whiskey

Album: Mr. Freeze
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Bad Poker Hand
2)	I'm the One
3)	Route 90
4)	Mr. Freeze
5)	Go on Fool
6)	Dummy on Your Knee
7)	Dallas, Texas
8)	Slap You Silly
9)	Jenny Brown
10)	You Came a Long Way from St. Louis
11)	Red Top
12)	Easy Ridin' Mama
13)	Let Me Go Home, Whiskey