Blues & Beyond is the 3rd blues album by Athens, GA musicians John McDonald and Mark Maxwell. McDonald sings lead and plays rhythm guitar while Maxwell plays electric and bass guitar throughout the album. While their prior two albums, Touched by the Blues and Feeling Blues were both well received in the blues community. McDonald and Maxwell are highly enthusiastic about their latest release and for good reason. Few artists embody the depth, soul, and authenticity of the blues like McDonald and Maxwell. On this album, they are backed up by some of the finest blues musicians and vocalists in the South. Sarah Lawing’s duet with McDonald on the opening number, What You Gonna do About Me?, is truly exceptional as is Maxwell’s guitar accompaniment. William Kissane’s performance on drums is outstanding on this and all the songs on the album. McDonald’s vocal on I Put a Spell on You, is as soulful as it gets and is complemented by haunting instrumental solos by Maxwell (guitar), Jason Fuller (piano) and Mindy Towe (sax). The listening enjoyment continues with a remarkable rendition of Joe Bonamassa’s Drive with back-up vocal provided by Janis Maxwell. Next is a very cool blues interpretation of Tom Waits’ Heart Attack & Vine featuring the masterful Pat Strawser on Hammond organ. The heart of the album begins with McDonald and Maxwell’s interpretation of Buddy Guy’s “Best in Town”, featuring Maxwell’s wah-wah guitar with McDonald and Lawing trading-off vocals. This is followed by a soulful rendition of All That Makes Me Happy is the Blues and an up-beat interpretation of Eddie Jones’ I Done Got Over It. The album concludes with JJ Kale’s classic Same Old Blues followed by McDonald and Maxwell’s take on two of Warren Zevon’s favorite tunes, Rub me Raw and Keep Me and Keep Me In Your Heart, the latter features blues master Glyn Denham on harmonica.
