''Touch'' is an album released on

Ruf Records Ruf Records is a German independent record label, which was founded in 1994 by Luther Allison’s manager, Thomas Ruf, to promote Allison's career. The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in L ...

in 2001 by Mike Harrison and the Hamburg Blues Band.

History

Billed as "Mike Harrison meets the Hamburg Blues Band", the album followed an invitation to Mike Harrison in 1999 to regularly appear with the Hamburg Blues Band. The album is notable for featuring new songs by lyricist

Pete Brown Peter Ronald Brown (25 December 1940 – 19 May 2023) was an English performance poet, lyricist, and singer best known for his collaborations with Cream and Jack Bruce.Colin Larkin, ''Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music'' (Muze UK Ltd, 1997) ...

, with music by members of the Hamburg Blues Band, and lead vocals by Harrison. The album received mixed reviews. As one reviewer commented, "Mike's voice is more reminiscent of Ray Charles now that he's older and is perfect for blues rock... This is one of those CDs you listen to for the first time and feel like you've been listening to it your entire life and not just because of the Spooky Tooth song at the end." In contrast, another reviewer commented that "the band members are decent musicians, but their playing and the album's production is just too sterile, too perfect, lacking that certain 'oomph' or 'edge' that turns the ordinary into something special. Sadly, my critique goes for Mike's vocals as well, he sounds like he's 'going through the motions' and never transcends the material, not even on their closing cover of Spooky Tooth's 'Waiting For The Wind.'John H. McCarthy
Talented Musicians, A Great Vocalist, But a Disappointing Release
April 6, 2016. Amazon.com; consumer review. The reviewer also referenced Harrison's first solo album, released in 1971, which he described as "a stunner".

Track listing

All lyrics by

, music by Conti, Lange, Wallbaum and Becker, unless otherwise noted. #"Hold Back" #"Movin' On" #"Try Me Again" #"Make Me Smile" #"Security" #"There's a Road" #"King of Hearts" (Lyrics: Lange and R. Nicholas. Music: Conti, Lange, Wallbaum and Becker) #"Perfect Day" (Lyrics:
D. Storey
Music: D. Petersen) #"Hittin' The Spot" #"True Lies" #"Waiting For The Wind" (Bonus Track; Wright, Grosvenor, Harrison)

References

{{Authority control 2001 albums Mike Harrison (musician) albums