The stinging guitar that opens "Mighty Long Road" serves notice that Dillon means business, sounding like a slightly harder version of Albert King. The Robert Cray influence is not too far away either, and reappears most notably on "I'll Be There For You" which sounds like something that Cray himself could have written. The more soulful side of Dillon is also evident on "Heaven" which opens with some very nice muted trumpet from John Halbleib.

The album also shows off the more rock oriented side of Dillon's work, most notably on "Trouble." It also appears in tandem with a touch of funk on "Love Not Possession," and some fine slide guitar on "Hey Hey." These tracks stand in sharp contrast to the two more down home blues numbers that round off the album. On "Dangerous Man" Dillon plays steel guitar to fine effect, before finally wrapping it all up with the acoustic guitar and harp combination on "My Blues." It is an interesting way to end the album, and shows off a different side of Dillon when compared to what has gone before.

"Rituals" is a fine album, which highlights the broad range of styles that make up Jimmy Dillon's repertoire. The spectrum runs from down home blues, through to more rock oriented material, and even into AOR territory with "Louisiana Rain." It is all well done, however, and there are plenty of high points here, most notably when Dillon teams up with the Memphis Horns, and on the closing acoustic tracks. If you like your blues with a side order of soul and rock, then pick up a copy of "Rituals" from Dillon's web site (www.discconnection.com/dillon_home.html) or your local store.

This review is copyright © 2001 by Gordon Baxter, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.