Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Everything Now , by JW-Jones and it's a solid mix of blues, R&B, rock, and pop. Opening with title track, Everything Now , JW-Jones on lead vocal and guitar has penned a cool, pop rocker with a strong melody, featuring Stanton Moore on drums, Gordie Johnson on harmony, rhythm, bass and keys making this a super opener. Blues rocker, Papa's In The Pen has a cool rhythm and Jones' vocals are strong with a tight guitar solo pushing the track nicely. With Eric Eggleston on harmony vocal, rhythm guitar and percussion, Aaron Sterling on drums and Jeff Rogers on keys another solid entry. Shuffle track, Take Your Time features Jimmie Vaughan on guitar with his signature style, and includes Jason Corbiere on drums. My favorite track on the release is To Tell You The Truth (I Lied) with Jones' best vocal on the release and it's supple bluesy feel. Cutting loose on guitar Jones really gives this track an ext...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Sonic Departures, from JW-Jones and it hits solid on the radio track styling with great guitar soloing. Opening with Blue Jean Jacket , a pop rocker with a shuffle beat, JW-Jones is up front with solid vocals and joined by Jesse Whiteley on keys, Will Lauin on drums, Jacob Clarke on bass Brendan Cassidy, Jim John, Daniel Koelsch and Rolf Rogde on sax, Scott McGonigal, Rob Williams, Rob Mee and Rob Scott on trombone, and Bob Clegg, Noel Methven, Jim Shea and Brad Harrison on trumpet. Jones does a funky overlay on classic blues number, Drowning on Dry Land and I like it. Whiteley's organ work, along with the tight rhythm work of Laurin really make this track move. Jones stabs in some real nice guitar riffs, working really well with sax and trumpet accents. Very cool! Big swing track, It's Obdacious has great feel and dynamics with harmonies by Brit Wynne-Jones. Jeff Pighin really wails on sax on this one giving...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live , from JW- Jones and it's terrific. Opening with A Memo , a cool, well written rocker with a solid melody. Jones' band is Laura Greenberg on bass and vocal, Will Laurin on drums and vocals and Don Cummings on Hammond and vocals. Jones gets the opportunity to stretch a bit and with nicely phrased blues riffs, punctuates this fine opener. On BB King's Need You So Bad , Jones' vocals are firm and his guitar playing sure footed. I have heard each of his previous releases and this one really shines. Howlin' Wolf's Moanin' At Midnight has a steady rolling tempo with aggressive blues stance, breaking into a Hendrix "Voodoo Chile" posture and letting the pyrotechnics fly. Very nice. Dylan's Tonight I'll be Staying Here With You has an approach that blends Dylan, Beck and Garcia styles. Another BB King track, Early Every Morning , has a hard driving bass line putting Jones int...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, High Temperature , from JW - Jones and it may be his best yet. Opening with rocker, Price You Pay , JW-Jones seems to have taken a new direction with tighter riffs and more relaxed vocals. Joined by Colin Linden on guitar, Kevin McKendree on keys, Dominic John Davis on bass and Bryan Owings on drums this is a solid opener. On How Many Hearts , Jones is joined by Jaida Dreyer on second lead guitar and in addition to slick lead guitar riffs and a nice groove, I really like the over saturated tones on the rhythm guitar. Title track, High Temperature is a great blues shuffle and that over driven guitar tone is through the roof. Along with McKendree's key work, Jones lets the guitar off the leash with some real string lashing making this one of the best tracks on the release. Excellent! Who I Am is a really cool track with an almost Robert Cray feel. With it's heavy bass and tight drums, Jones is way out front on vo...