A long time favourite, this album just gets better with each listen. Pete's effortless guitar playing and gravelly vocals combine with a fine horn section make this a blues album you really have to have.
Among the highlights are "Those Were the Days", Pete's heartfelt tribute to his time and adventures with Big Twist & the Mellow Fellows; the appropriately rocking "Are We Rockin' or What", and the rougher, raw sounding "Inside Out". The title track "Mozart Street" along with "Hold On", both co-written by one time Big Twist producer Jim Tulio, are another couple of fine, horn-drenched tracks that standout.
Yet another highlight is a cover version of Sam & Dave's "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby", written by Isaac Hayes and Dave Porter - and yes it is the same Mr Hayes who voices South Park's Chef (in his pre-cartoon form he was actually one of Stax's foremost songwriters). Pete's input is in evidence throughout, writing/co-writing six of the ten songs, assisting with the horn arrangements and also producing the album.
Pete Special is undoubtedly one of Chicago's most under-rated blues performers - which is pity, since both this album and Pete himself are worthy of far wider recognition in the blues world and beyond.