Harmonica master Dave “Hurricane” Hoerl suffered a devastating and debilitating stroke on the eve of releasing his most recent CD “Un-Twisted” and while I and his many fans across the country hope it is not the case, it could be his last.

If so it is an amazing last album. I received it several months ago and haven’t taken out of my CD player since then.

“Pure and Simple Blues,” is my go to track on the CD  though the CD is anything but with plenty of layers of instrumentation and melodies.

 Of course the harp figures prominently from the beginning of the upbeat “Soul mate and the eerily prophetic “I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled and Crazy” and the perky and quirky “Don’t Think it Can’t Happen To You.”

 He has an outstanding band featuring some of Vancouver’s best musicians  accompanying him  including members of  the Twisters and the Hooligans plus Double D Dave Dykhuizen on lead guitar  and bassists Keith Picot and Roger Brant.

Fellow Vancouverite  James “Buddy Rogers supplies a tasteful solo on an ode to Hoerl's wife  “Soulmate.”

The CD has a little bit of everything, wit, a touch of funky guitar, lots of harp, soothing organ and lots of enjoyable songs.

 “Fight of the Century” is an interesting take on couples.
“ Grand Old Game” puts his love for baseball to a Bo Diddly rhythm.

 He shows his prowess on the last song of the CD — the instrumental “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” as well as on  the jazzy “ A little off the Top.”

 “ A Little off The Top” features a pretty piano solo and a sultry saxophone solo plus lots of gorgeous harp.
“ Snake Charmer,” has a similar feel to the Stray Cats’ “Stray Cat Strut.”
This album is a must have for anybody who loves harp playing and blues music.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

CD: Un-Twisted
Artist: Dave “Hurricane ’ Hoerl
Genre: blues
Record company: Full Swing Records