Charlie Barath - Issaquena Getaway
With Special Guest Johnny Burgin
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © Feb 2026
As soon as I opened the envelope containing this CD I not only recognized the name Charlie Barath, but I also felt that I had written something about him in the past. After searching the archives of www.Mary4Music.com I discovered that he appeared on a compilation CD I reviewed for the Blues Society of Western PA titled Blues From The Burgh 5 - a CD Compilation Celebrating The Music Of Western PA - back in May of 2019. On that disc, Charlie played killer harmonica on two tracks - one with a band called The Delta Struts, and another with a band called The Aces.
Issaquena Getaway is Charlie Barath's second release under his own name and on it, Charlie - on vocals, harmonica and percussion - is joined by: special guest Johnny Burgin on guitars; Andrew Sherer on guitars; Mark Yacovone on piano and organ; Mike Law on bass; Danny Banks on drums; and Shari Richards on vocals. The album contains fourteen mostly traditional blues tracks of which twelve were written and arranged by Charlie.
Within ten seconds of the first track, I knew that how ever long this disc was, that it was indeed going to be very well spent time. The track is titled "I Gets Around" and as with most of the music on Issaquena Getaway, it's traditional blues at its best. With lines that start off with:
"Well I ain't got no money, but I got a lot of friends.....";
"Well I ain't got no job, but I stay busy all night long.....";
"Well I ain't got no Cadillac, but man I gets around.....";
"Well I ain't got no woman, but man I ain't never alone.....";
Charlie exudes positivity and seems to be quite content with what he "ain't got". Musically, with Mike, Danny and Mark in a perfect foot tappin', knee tappin, body swayin' groove behind them, Charlie and Johnny take turns showcasing their masterful harmonica blowin' and guitar playin' skills. Also, since Charlie didn't sing on that compilation CD, I'm very impressed with my first exposure to his very cool and smooth vocal style. Excellent track!
Things seemed to have changed for Charlie on a swinger titled "The Weekend Song". Although he now has a job that he likes, he also "loves it when it's done". As most people in the workforce will agree, Charlie's thought is that "A nice long weekend is sure good for your health". With Mike (bass) and Danny (drums) laying down the thumping rhythm, this dance floor filler features several musical interludes that highlight fabulous chromatic harmonica leads from Charlie, lively piano runs by Mark, and quite skillful guitar leads by Andrew.
Showcasing his creative storytelling style of singing, this one tells a story of a poker game in which Charlie is "Waitin' For The Queen". Holding an Ace, King, Jack and Ten, Charlie eventually hits 'Broadway' when his "Queen had finally come around". It's a slow number led by profound rhythm with more tandem harmonica and guitar leads from Charlie and Johnny.
One of the disc's two covers is an instrumental titled "Cuban Getaway" (I. Turner & J. Josea). Whatever your Latin dance of choice is, this is the one you'll want to do it to. It features 'I gotta get up and dance to this one' type rhythm and percussion by Mike, Danny and Charlie; scintillating piano leads from Mark; alternating titillating guitar leads from Johnny and Andrew; and magical harmonica work by Charlie, that will have you looking at the credits to see who is on the squeezebox.
On "I Might Fall In Love", by listing a whole lot of things he's not going to do out of fear of it happening, Charlie really sets up a hard line of defense - which may or may not work. This one kind of reminds me of when I told the Blewzzlady not to fall in love with me 'cause I'm never getting married again. That was forty-three years ago, so be careful Charlie.
"The Best Thing You Can Do'" features Charlie offering some very sound advice: "It ain't never right to do the wrong thing"; Ain't never wrong to do the right thing"; and "It ain't a bad thing being good"; are indeed words to pay attention to. With that being said, here is some good advice from me - since this is the disc's sixth track and I've loved every one so far, grabbing a copy of it are also words you should pay attention to.
So it sounds to me like "That Wasn't Me" should be added to that list of the world's biggest lies that includes 'The check is in the mail'. This one has Charlie denying compromising accusations. As with every track on the album, all musicianship is stellar.
If "Renee" was the person Charlie pleaded his innocence to in the above track, she apparently didn't believe him. Ya see, he's been so lost and lonely ever since Renee drove away. With its jumping groove and barrelhouse piano vibe, this one will have all the fast dancers on their feet.
As you might expect, being a song from Stanley Turrentine, "Sugar" is one for the jazz loving side of us blues lovers. With the bass, drums and piano - the nucleus of any great jazz band - shining on this one, Charlie does a fabulous job of replacing the saxophone with his harmonica.
Other excellent tracks on this must have release include: "Brass Monkey"; "Just Wanna Walk With You"; "Can I Have This Dance?"; "I'm Gonna Let You"; and "Honey I Got No Money".
To find out more about Charlie Barath, check him out on Facebook at - www.facebook.com/charlie.barath. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend The Blewzzman sent you.
