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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
I just received the newest release (June 3, 2016), Good Days A Comin, from Ivas John, and it's warm smooth and inviting. Opening with folk blues track, Goin' Back To Arkansas, Ivas John on guitar and vocal is joined by Robert Bowlin on fiddle and guitar as well as Ross Sermons on bass for a really nice opener. Skillfully played and nicely augmented by Bowlin, this is a great opener. Here I Am has a bit more rural flavor with David Davis on mandolin, Gary Gordon on dobro and Charlie Morrill on drums. Country blues number, Roll Mississippi has a great tempo and a definite country swing with lead fiddle lines from Bowlin and cool dobro soloing from Gordon. A real nice toe tapper that will stick in your head. Merle Travis penned, Dark As A Dungeon, is a very nice track in 3/4 time. Ivas, Gary and Roberta Gordon harmonize giving this track a strong warmth. Tom Paxton penned, Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound, is a straight forward country track with cool fiddle overtones by Tim Crouch. Very solid. James H. Jett track, Greenville Trestle High is a cool bluegrass style number with cleanly woven vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar and mandolin work. Very nice! All Along is a smart ballad with warm vocals and nicely crafted guitar work. Things Ain't Been The Same is a really nice ballad with strong vocals and beautiful Dobro accents by Gordon. Keep Your Train Movin' has blues roots but with folk/country styling. Ivas takes a nice guitar solo on this track with subtle harp work from Gordon. Payday Boogie has a rag feel and with it's springy beat and fiddle riffs toying with hot jazz guitar riffs gives it real shine. Very nice! Alan Reynolds penned, Wrong Road Again, is a simple ballad with only Ivas on guitar and vocal and Bowlin on guitar. Nicely woven guitar pairings and warm vocals from Ivas is really the theme of this release which is wrapped by Sunday Morning Blues which features only Ivas on beautifully played acoustic guitar with supple jazz chords and arpeggios making this an absolutely perfect closer.
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