Big Harp George
No Shortcuts

By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2026

No Shortcuts is the eighth release for Big Harp George, and the fourth that we have had the pleasure to work with. For the project, Big Harp George - on vocals and harmonicas - is joined by: Aaron Lington on baritone sax; Alexander Petersen on drums; Ami Molinelli on tamborim, pandeiro, surdo, tambourine, and finger shots; Basma Edrees on vocals and violin; Charlie Bisharat on violin; Chris Burns on keyboards; Derrick D'Mar Martin on drums and percussion; Doug Rowan on tenor sax and alto flute; Joe Kyle on bass; Kid Andersen on guitar, banjo, bass, and fretless bass; Lisa Leuschner Andersen on vocals; Loay Dahbour on riq and duff; Marcel Smith on vocals; Michael Peloquin on tenor sax; Mile Olmos on trumpet; Mike Rinta on trombone; Mohamed Elshazly on oud; Nicole Welch on cello, and The Morgan Brothers (James and Dwayne) on vocals. Admittedly, while typing this paragraph, many of those instruments did send me Googling.

All sixteen of the disc tracks are Big Harp George Bisharat originals. As stated by Jim White on the accompanying one sheet, "He skillfully blends hard hitting observations with complex musical creativity featuring twenty artists using a variety of ancient and modern instruments." On several topical tracks, George's former gigs as a law professor and Mideast analyst come a bit into play.

"Come Out Swinging", the disc's opening track, could not have been more appropriately named because that's exactly what George and the guys did on this smokin' dance floor filling instrumental. Right out of the gate, the track hits you with a huge dose of that smooth SoCal swing thing and it never relents. Between the riotous rhythm, the blaring horns, and George attempting to blow his own brains out on the harmonica, this one is total fire. About three minutes into this four minute track, probably to let everyone catch a gasp of air, the song seems to end, but then...BAM!...the guys come right back out swinging.

"Yes Dear", could very well have been titled 'The Married Man's Mantra'. As George, both whimsically and truthfully says, "I got something for you that works every time, it's called yes dear" as in: "Yes dear, I'm coming right away; Yes dear, I'm already on my way; Yes dear, your wish is my command". Musically, Joe Kyle (bass) and D'Mar Martin (drums) are in their usual killer rhythm groove; Kid is doing what Kid always does - laying down killer blues guitar licks; Aaron, Doug and Mike Rinta are swingin' on the horns; and giving the song a doo-wop feel, Marcel Smith is fabulous on the backing vocals.

Sans the vocals, "Sun Drifting" is a tastefully done slow blues instrumental. Had this been around in the early fifties, you could have very well seen a bunch of teenagers strolling to it on American Bandstand. Showcasing their fabulous skills, George (harmonica), Doug (tenor sax), and Aaron (baritone sax), are all on top of their game on this one.

On the topical "Ain't My Circus", while not mentioning any names, George certainly gets his point across with...

"Carnival barker strutting in his booth

Spouting lies through a megaphone, red white and blue

The monkeys got lawyers, talking points and cues

Throwing turds at the crowd and calling it news"...

As what often happens on any given track recorded at Greaseland, the usual cast of characters are hooting, howling and generally acting up in the background adding to the circus atmosphere. Fun track for sure.

It's another tough night out for George. After buying women many drinks, then being laughed at and ultimately getting slapped in the face, he seems to have "Struck Out Again". As he says... "It’s a stormy night in Oakland
And I can’t seem to find me a friend
Wet and windy outside
And I can’t seem to buy me a friend
Clock creeping toward closing time
Looks like I struck out again"...But the upside to all that is it resulted into a killer seven-and-a-half minute slow blues song. Wearing his heart on his sleave, George shares his pain with both his mournful and melancholic lyrics, and his slow and scorching harmonica leads. Checking all the other slow blues boxes are the perfect rhythm groove being laid down by Alexander Pettersen (drums) and Joe Kyle (bass); Slow and steamy blues guitar leads by Kid; and magnificently soft and moody sax leads by Michael Peloquin.

"Be Adorable" is an absolutely adorable song. I mean c'mon, how freaking adorable does this line sound..."If you want to be adored be adorable, honey ain’t no shortcuts to love"? It's got a strong Dixieland vibe and it features the adorable (last time, I promise) sounding Lisa Andersen on an ador.....I mean wonderfully done duet with George.

"Last Trip To Itaipu" is an instrumental that features George and the band taking a shot at some Brazilian Jazz - and nailing it! The song pays tribute to George's late friend, Roberto Kant de Lima, who he says "Introduced me to Brazil and it's incredibly inspiring music traditions". The song's irresistible rhythm is an enticing invitation to indulge in any of your favorite Latin style dances.

On "What's Wrong With Dying?" George challenges the idea of wanting to live forever. As he sees it..."

All of you trying to pass a century
Got a question for you, maybe it’s just me
What’s the point in staying way past your prime
Just face the fact we’re all here on borrowed time . So tell me: What’s wrong with dying?"..."Don’t have to be stupid, don’t throw life away
But what’s the use of staying if you can’t play".
Sounds to me like George has his "Do Not Resuscitate Form" all filled out and filed.

"Mista Boins", is another of the disc's four instrumentals and it features George and Chris Burns going toe to toe while showcasing their masterful skills on the harmonica and organ. Very pleasurable listening. The disc closes with "One Day". It's a song that, mostly because of a fabulous violin performance by Grammy winner Charlie Bisharat, is absolutely beautiful musically, and not at all beautiful lyrically. Here is just on of many hard hitting verses that will prove that...
"May be prime minister, may wear a crown
Shoulder to shoulder as bombs rain down
Pray to your gods while bombing babies
Never once touched by a sense of shame
One day, you will be judged
One day, you will be judged".

Other tracks on another very well done release from Big Harp George include: "Supplement Life"; "I Will Find You"; "Bury My Head"; "Do You Remember?"; "Rusty Spoon"; and "Death Rattle of the Republic".

To find out more about Big Harp George, just go to - www.bigharpgeorge.com. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.