Mike had a side project named Scrapomatic that released a few albums. He also has a recent solo release entitled "You Can't Find Love".

Well, Hear here,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N2g_uEnWfuY

I was unaware til recently that there was such a group that dislike Mike’s vocals so much, I always have dug his singing and was sad he wasn’t used more when I saw TTB and noticed he wasn’t utilized much, I figure I’ve seen and heard a lot of guitarists and vocalists, I never have liked the run of the mill, southing, beautiful type vocals. I like the more unique I guess, Dylan, Allman, Bon Scott etc. I seen Mike sing about 5 times, really thought he was excellent, can hit highs and lows? Somewhat raspy at times? Pretty cool I thought........Peace........joe

I love Mike Mattison - great singer, great songwriter. He definitely has the gift!!

Mattison’s range is staggering. From “Crow Jane” to “Get What You Deserve” to “Just As Strange” (if that’s the song I’m thinking of) is a hell of a spectrum.

Mike had a side project named Scrapomatic that released a few albums. He also has a recent solo release entitled "You Can't Find Love".

Thanks for the suggestions owencarol. You can find You Can't Find Love at Amazon, new through a second-hand dealer, for $12.91 so I may go that route. Some of the Scrapomatic stuff is completely out of print but there are several others available for $17.98. Kinda pricey for something that old but I figured if I wanted it I'd have to pay. Right now I'm wishing hittinthenote.com was still in business!

And thanks for the full Scrapomatic show, crazyjoe. Will get around to that soon.

I love Mike's voice, taste is subjective but I'm always surprised when people rag on his singing. Seems to be the same folks that rag on Susan - just can't please some people, I guess they want 2 hours of Derek's slide at every show.

Mike released a great solo album a couple years ago, with a lovely version of "Midnight in Harlem", with his Scrapomatic bandmate Dave Yoke on guitar. Without Derek's transcendent slide raga, it's still a fantastic song on its own.

"Midnight in Harlem"

Speaking of Scrapomatic, their last album is a lot of fun and features a great song that I wish TTB would resurrect,

"I'm a Stranger and I love the Night"

Always loved this old Rev Gardy Davis tune they covered:

Not only is Mike a great singer, but he's a super cool dude. I've had the fortune to collaborate with him on 2 music videos.

"Rat Trap" Scrapomatic

"Hard Case" TTB

Mike had a side project named Scrapomatic that released a few albums. He also has a recent solo release entitled "You Can't Find Love".

I saw Scrapomatic open a show for Gregg's solo band, and they were quite good. Dave Yoke on guitar (Dr. John, Susan Tedeschi, etc.) is quite good. Mike's vocals were really good for the 3 piece band.

So, let's nail it down: out of Mike's solo albums or the Scrapomatic stuff, which would you recommend and why?

So, let's nail it down: out of Mike's solo albums or the Scrapomatic stuff, which would you recommend and why?

I’m mad at you for making me choose because I’ve always said you can’t go wrong with Scrap’s last three albums and never picked a favorite. I’ll give you a cheater’s answer and then answer the question you asked: if you like R&B and soul music the most, get Mike’s solo album; if you love Tom Waits and raw blues, get Alligator Love Cry; if you like rock and country, go with either of Scrap’s other two albums. Their strengths are all pretty similar - great songs, great writing, a good mix of styles. They get slightly more country-ish as time goes on but there aren’t any huge shifts. Derek plays on two songs on Sidewalk Caesars and Kofi Burbridge is all over You Can’t Fight Love, playing keys.

Here’s a rough top ten list of Mike and Scrap’s best songs, according to me:

Midnight in Harlem (solo album)
Louisiana Anna (Alligator)
Killing Yourself on Purpose (Caesars)
Hook, Line and Sinker (Caesars)
The Party’s Over (Stranger)
Lotus (Alligator)
Long Way Home (Alligator)
Malibu (Stranger)
Good Luck Automated Car Crash (solo)
Mother of My Wolf (Stranger)

See how even that is?

Anyway, reluctantly, I’ll pick... Sidewalk Caesars. If the average song on most of these albums is an 8.0, the average on that album is an 8.1. That’s about how big the difference is. They’re all excellent but I’ll give that one a tiny edge, plus, you get the two tracks with Derek.

"click." Sidewalk Caesars is on its way from Amazon. Thanks!!

I haven't seen much criticism of Mike here. Here is one of my favorite Scrapomatic / Mike songs.....

The Party's Over

I'd recommend I'm a Stranger and I Love the Night because it as after Dave Yoke had joined Scrapomatic and I love his guitar playing. Party's Over is a good example.

The thread has been good and now seems to be focusing on Dave in some respects. My wife and I saw the STB about 30 times and have spoken to Dave many times. While being a great player, very melodic and tasty, he is a very humble and likeable man. He like Derek and Susan and their respective band members seems not to be hung up on the star thing. He's a really friendly and good guy. His playing has evolved over the years to only get better. We thank him for his contribution to music!

"click." Sidewalk Caesars is on its way from Amazon. Thanks!!

Enjoy it! And when you do, get those other three albums!

I forgot one other thing, which is that aside from a couple of shows in late 2018, Scrapomatic has been inactive since they finished touring for I’m a Stranger (And I Love the Night), which came out in 2012. But this year they guys put a new band together that’s Scrapomatic plus a couple of other musicians, so maybe there’s more to come from that project. It’s called Missing Pieces and they maybe have a whole album on SoundCloud? https://www.ninemiletouring.com/mpalbum.html

OK, I just cracked open "Sidewalk Caesars" today.

The first listen was very interesting - the songs are eclectic, and Mike has great range obviously, so he does a ton of different things. Some tasty grooves, some very 70s r'n'b/ soul sounds, a little country here, a little Broadway there. One song sounded a little bit like TTB's "Right On Time," one sounds a hair like "Get What You Deserve." A little Van Morrison-ish here, a little Vaughn Brothers there.

These comparisons are regarding song structure alone; Mike Mattison sounds like Mike Mattison. The songwriting does show a steeping in American music that makes me think of Robbie Robertson's sense of American music history.

Anyway, the second time I started listening through the album, my tentative analysis ended, and it just fucking grooved. It's the kind of CD that you immediately listen to again all over once you get to the end. These are very good songs, very well crafted, and the 2 appearances of Derek's guitar are a joyful and welcome sound. Mattison has amazing range and a great sense of melody. Thanks for the recommendation!!!

OK, I just cracked open "Sidewalk Caesars" today.

The first listen was very interesting - the songs are eclectic, and Mike has great range obviously, so he does a ton of different things. Some tasty grooves, some very 70s r'n'b/ soul sounds, a little country here, a little Broadway there. One song sounded a little bit like TTB's "Right On Time," one sounds a hair like "Get What You Deserve." A little Van Morrison-ish here, a little Vaughn Brothers there.

These comparisons are regarding song structure alone; Mike Mattison sounds like Mike Mattison. The songwriting does show a steeping in American music that makes me think of Robbie Robertson's sense of American music history.

Anyway, the second time I started listening through the album, my tentative analysis ended, and it just **** ing grooved. It's the kind of CD that you immediately listen to again all over once you get to the end. These are very good songs, very well crafted, and the 2 appearances of Derek's guitar are a joyful and welcome sound. Mattison has amazing range and a great sense of melody. Thanks for the recommendation!!!

Thanks Jim. Based on years on this website, yours and Marley's recommendations are two that I trust so I will be picking up Sidewalk Caesars soon.

Then the time I spent agonizing over my recommendation was worth it! Get the others when you can.