CD Review
JW-Jones Blues Band
My Kind of Evil
(Northern Blues Music – NM0021)
by Dave “Doc” Piltz
Review Date: May, 2005
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
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Having listened to a number of the latest releases on the Canadian Northern Blues Music label, it is clear that there is some fantastic blues being produced out of The Great White North. With American performers like Frankie Lee, Dan Treanor, Janiva Magness and Otis Taylor, along with Canadians Harry Manx, Colin James, Paul Reddick and JW-Jones, Northern Blues has become a formidable player on the blues scene.
JW-Jones is a remarkable guitarist/singer from Ottawa, Canada. The 23 year old has assembled another great compilation of blues styles on his third Northern Blues release, My Kind of Evil. Adding to the interest in this recording is the fact that the producer is none other that Fabulous Thunderbirds lead man, Kim Wilson. In addition to production of this fine recording, Wilson provides lead vocals and harp on two songs (“I Don’t Know” and “Blue Monday”) and background vocals on a third (“Ain’t Gonna Lie”). Also of note is an appearance by Canadian blues star Colin James who provides vocals on two songs (“What You Do To Me” and “You’ve Got Me (Where You Want Me)”) and shares background vocals with Wilson on “Ain’t Gonna Lie.” Even with the stellar guest appearances, Jones’ fat guitar sound still manages to stand out on each and every song.
The CD is filled with powerful guitar solos and vocals by Jones, who is listed as the writer or co-writer on ten of the fourteen songs found on My Kind of Evil. The four other tracks are fine covers written by Willie Mabon, Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Johnny Otis and Johnny “Guitar” Watson. Support for Jones’ guitar is provided by the addition of Nathan Morris (bass), Bill Brennan (drums), and keyboardist Geoff Daye. Add in a four-piece horn section on the two swing-based instrumentals "Code Blue" and "Slow Down" and the band really takes off.
The highlights on My Kind of Evil come fast and furious throughout the recording. The influence of guitar god Eric Clapton can be heard in the guitar solo on “Ain't Gonna Lie." On other songs, Jones guitar conjures up images of Otis Rush, Rusty Zinn, Hollywood Fats, Little Charlie Baty, Junior Watson and Kid Ramos, among others. Wilson’s influence and the characteristic sound of The Fabulous Thunderbirds is clear on both the Jones-Wilson co-written songs as well as those where Wilson provides his signature harp and vocals. Songs where Jones emphasizes his exceptional guitar, such as on the Stax Records influenced “Nothing On Me." Also notable are "What You Do to Me" and "You Got Me (Where You Want Me)" which feature Colin James on vocals, giving Jones an opportunity to concentrate on his burning guitar. Kim Wilson and JW-Jones pair up (without credit to Wilson) on “Cheating Woman” to put together a sound that would challenge the likes of Litter Walter and Otis Rush in their heyday. Last, but not least, the jumping horns on "Shake That Mess" and "Slow Down" complete the range and variety of the sounds on My Kind of Evil.
J W-Jones gets better with each new recording and My Kind of Evil is definitely his best effort to date. This is a recommended recording for anyone interested in great guitar and a variety of blues sounds on one recording. Kim Wilson’s influence is well-apparent on the CD and represents a bonus for listeners. To learn more about this recording and J W-Jones other Northern Blues releases, visit the Northern Blues Music website at www.northernblues.com or visit J W-Jones website at www.jw-jones.com.
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