I continue to be pleasantly surprised at the quality recordings being made by new younger artists on the blues scene today. The latest newcomer is Augusta, Georgia native Sean McDonald, debuting with a killer album, Have Mercy!, on the Little Village Foundation label.

McDonald has a rich voice that's been developed in his church, and is also a dynamite guitar player. Add to the fact that he went to Kid Andersen's Greaseland studio in California to record the nine cuts found here, and Have Mercy! is a tasty recipe of soulful blues that will make many Top 10 lists at the end of the year. Andersen is credited as the producer, with many of the Greaseland regulars backing McDonald. Holding the rhythm on each number are veteran drummer June Core and bassist D’Quantae “Q” Johnson.

With music that reflects a lot of influences, it's not surprising that the opening cut, "My Soul," reminds of the R&B classics from The Five Royales. Written by Rudy Moore (aka Dolemite), this R&B dance number dates back to the original done by The Seniors in 1960 on Ball Records (find that version on YouTube). It's a great opener for what's to follow.

"Fakin' It" is a fun novelty blues, with McDonald claiming to be the best actor in town, as confirmed by his mama. Lisa Leuschner Andersen contributes backing vocals, with Eric Spaulding coming in with a very fine sax solo. McDonald demonstrates his vocal variety on his own slow blues, "Killing Me," with plenty of agony coming from his vocal chords and more sad feelings from the guitar.

The horn section of Spaulding on tenor sax, Jack Sanford on baritone sax, and Mike Rinta on trombone provide a big sound to the slow, soulful "Rocking in the Same Old Boat," originally done by Bobby "Blue" Bland. Andersen contributes his always exquisite guitar work on this mournful number. Strapping his own guitar back on, McDonald absolutely tears it up on the up-tempo jump blues instrumental "Shuffleboard Swing."

Keeping the high octane tempo is another McDonald original, the rockin' 12-bar blues, "Angel Baby,' highlighted by Jim Pugh's piano pounding and a big-time baritone sax solo from Sanford. McDonald and the band take it to church on the Oris Mays gospel blues classic "Don't Let The Devil Ride," with McDonald getting a heavy tone on guitar and emitting soaring vocals. Equally important are the backing vocals of The Morgan Brothers and Marcel Smith.

The same wonderful bacground singers return on Ike Turner's up-tempo love song, "That's All I Need," with McDonald laying down a very solid guitar solo. The original of this rollicking song go back to the early days of Ike & Tina Turner.

Closing this exquisite album is a Henry Glover composition, the slow R&B tune "Let's Call It A Day," done first on King Records by Sonny Thompson with Lula Reed on vocals. It was later covered by Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm with Billy Gayles stepping up to the vocal mic for Federal Records around the same time period. McDonald's version ranks right up there with those from 75 years earlier, with impassioned vocals and a tasty guitar solo.

Yes, there are only nine songs, but they are all top-notch with no filler added. Have Mercy! is a great introduction to this rising blues star, whetting our collective appetites for more.

Remember the name --- Sean McDonald --- we'll be hearing plenty more from him in the future.

--- Bill Mitchell