MIKE WHELLANS was born in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders a wee while ago (c1945). His father was a jazz drummer playing in local bands and Mike's first instrument, from a very early age, was his dad's kit. By age 14 Mike was playing in wedding and dance bands around the Borders.

While playing this local dance scene, Mike began to learn guitar as well as playing the kit. In 1969 he decided to turn professional and very soon released a first solo album. In the early 1970s, Mike was a member of the traditional Scots-Irish band, Boys of the Lough, and worked in a duo with fellow-Boy Aly Bain (now, of course, an internationally renowned fiddle player) for about three years.

The Whellans-Bain duo had a great reputation for American fiddle and guitar music which required great guitar flat-picking skill, a skill which Mike had in spades! Since then Mike has developed from that musical base into a veritable one-man live-wire blues-band featuring this crisp, fast, accurate flat-picking on acoustic and electric guitars, wild mouth-harp and his own highly idiosyncratic speciality, mouth percussion - and that really is something; and, oh, yes ... he sings and writes too!

In common with a number of Scottish acts, Mike has always worked extensively on the continent, especially in Denmark, and in the 1980s he settled there, having built up a sizable following for his own style of boogie, blues and humour.

Mike released his fifth solo album, Swing Time Johnny Red (Temple Records TP036) in the mid-1990s ... here are a couple of reviews

As a youngster I heard sombre discussions about the future of the true blues: Would they survive beyond the then-elderly generation of Chicago musicians? The answer as we all know now, is gloriously yes!

Chicago is bustling with hot young players. But so are a lot of places, like Scotland. Scotsman Mike Whellans is a consummate bluesman: a brilliant songwriter, a sharp singer, and a mean hand at the guitar. Think of him as Jimmy Reed or Willie Dixon transplanted from Lake Michigan to the shores of Loch Lomond.

Utne Reader (USA)

It is good that he's been recorded live too, even if it was in the studio. He's accompanied by a band comprising Colin Brown on lead guitar, saxophonist Martin Foster and Fos Paterson, whom some will know from his work with John Martyn, on keyboards.

As well as his great harmonica playing and rhythmic guitar, Mike includes his mouth drums - always a popular feature of his live sets. This album captures the feel of his live performance perfectly; I couldn't stop my feet tapping.

If you've never heard Mike live - try this album. I'll guarantee you won't miss him next time around.

Taplas Music Magazine (Wales, UK)