I was impressed with the debut release by Max Hightower, Nothin' But The Truth, that came out early in 2025. It was a good album that introduced the blues world to this South Carolina blues cat.

Along comes his sophomore release, The Blues Chooses You (MoMojo Records), and all I can say about it right now is "Wow!!!"

Recorded live to analog tape at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, Hightower is backed by Joe Moss (guitar), Rob Davis (keyboards), Steadman Fleetwood Williams, Sr. (bass), and Brandon Phelps (drum), the dozen songs here will make the listener feel that they are right there in some smoky jook joint listening to this perfect example of raw blues.

10 of the songs here are Hightower originals, complemented nicely by covers from the songbooks of Guitar Slim (aka Eddie Jones) and Johnny Shines. It's a cohesive set of blues from start to finish, with Hightower's gruff vocals supported by this solid band of musicians. In addition to providing the vocals on every cut, Hightower also plays harmonica and rhythm guitar throughout.

The mid-tempo, funky number "Dedicated Fool" opens the album, providing the first chance for the listener to bounce and bop. Davis gets the first of many opportunities to show off on piano, with Hightower coming in later with a steamy harmonica solo. "Train Smoke" has a Mississippi hill country sound, with the vocals being even rawer and feral than before, as Hightower sings "... I go way back like train smoke ..."

The title cut, "The Blues Chooses You," starts with a slow, quiet intro before getting funky, with Davis on organ and Moss on lead guitar both providing exquisite backing. Hightower kicks off "Relationship Man," an up-tempo blues shuffle with a hot harp solo.

The harmonica is featured again on the Johnny Shines slow country blues, "I Don't Know," with a steady blues beat throughout. The vibe changes completely on Guitar Slim's "Things I Used To Do," with Davis' jazzy piano playing giving this blues classic a completely different sound from the original, while Hightower packs plenty of emotion into his voice.

"Do What You're Going To Do" is Hightower's advice to his woman, adding that she doesn't need to worry about him if she splits. It's an up-tempo number with a jangly introduction. The mid-tempo blues, "The Hardest Thing," is dedicated to the late drummer Scotty Hawkins, with Hightower passing along the info that, "...Friday night was alright, you know the band was tight ..."  Perhaps sending that piece of info to his late friend.

"Stone Cool" has a jazzy intro with Williams' bass providing the proper feeling. Hightower's echo-y vocals and harp solos really bring this one home. His vocals are more slow and laconic on one of my favorite cuts, "Moonshine & Magnolias," with Moss' guitar breaks interspersed with Hightower's tender love song to that special someone.

Williams lays down wonderful funky bass to open the up-tempo blues, "Sherlock Holmes," with Hightower explains that his baby calls him after the famous detective because every time she leaves he's got a mystery going on.

Closing this top-notch blues collection is an extended version of the title cut, with Hightower providing the advice, "...Yyou gotta pay your dues if the blues chooses you ..." Moss really, really tears it up on guitar on this bonus track.

The Blues Chooses You has completely overwhelmed me. It's without a doubt one of the best albums of the year. Regarding the title, Hightower explains in the liner notes that, "I believe everybody who loves this music has a story about how the blues found them. I sure wasn't looking for it --- I didn't even know what it was."

I'm glad that the blues found Max Hightower, because he's given us this wonderful album. More, please!

--- Bill Mitchell