CD Reviews

"No Need To Spell It Out"

Stacy Jones Band

Critical Sun Recordings

Boy, if you haven’t had the chance to catch the Stacy Jones Band yet, you’re really missing out on a fun time. The Seattle-based band has yet to make it to Portland, but they’ve been busy throughout the Northwest that when they finally do get down this way, jump at the chance to see them. Their latest release, No Need To Spell It Out, all originals capturing their rockin’ blues material to a tee. It’s jumping and it’s thrilling. Stacy’s voice soars like all the great female blues shouters before her, like Big Maybelle, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor and Lydia Pense. The band’s delivery is stellar; hot and smoldering and it cooks!

Jeff Menteer is a guitarist of note. He can be funky, greasy, blistering and steaming, whatever the mood of the song calls for. Pay extra attention to his playing on numbers like “Glory Bound,” “You Belong To Me,” “Cry A Love Song,” and the solo he takes on “Tell Me Why” is absolutely biting! Rhythm section Rick J. Bowen on drums and Tom Jones on bass delivers in the pocket every time out. And what can you say about Stacy? The lady simply does it all. Besides her extraordinary vocals, she lays down acoustic guitar, keyboards and killer harmonica.

The Stacy Jones Band is destined to become another Northwest favorite. If you can’t make it up north to catch them and do not want to wait until they get to Portland, pick up a copy of No Need To Spell It Out and enjoy their music now. And you’ll be listening to it for a long time to come.

Total Time: 57:49

No Matter What / Glory Bound / Heavy Water / You Belong To Me / Radio Song / Do What You Wanna / Tell Me Why / I Think I Feel Like Leavin’ / The Medicine / Full Moon With Her / Cry A Love Song / Diggin’ In The Mud