On March 2, 2008, Canadian blues rock guitarist Jeff Healey passed away from cancer at the age of 41. The blind Healey was a sensation in the late eighties with his special way of playing guitar, with his Stratocaster flat on his lap. The album See The Light and the single Angel Eyes even earned him a spot on Pinkpop. After this highly successful period, he decided to slow down and devote himself
… to family life and making radio programs. He also owned a bar (Healey's Roadhouse) in his hometown of Toronto, where he performed regularly himself. Mess Of Blues, which turned out to be his latest album, contains some live registrations showing how this typical bar band sounded. In addition to the familiar screeching blues rock, Mess Of Blues features a variety of styles, a testament to Healey's eclectic taste. There are performances by Jambalaya (Hank Williams), The Weight (The Band), Like A Hurricane (Neil Young) and Shake Rattle & Roll (Bill Haley). Pretensions are absent, fun is paramount. A sympathetic farewell album by a true blues legend. (MS)more
