CD Reviews

Seventh Hour

JW-Jones

Solid Blues

One of the most exceptional young blues musicians on the scene today, JW-Jones continues to impress me with each and every new disc he puts out. As a guitarist, he ranks amongst the best with his simplicity, never over played style and he has a voice that is smooth that matches his playing remarkably. Perhaps what I am most thrilled with about Jones is that he can lay down all those familiar sounding riffs when he wants, but he takes his own music in a direction not always sought by most blues performers. Why sound like anybody else going routes others have already traveled? He mixes the traditional with a classic rock tone in a route that maybe the late Sean Costello was leaning toward or as seen by Nick Curran without such a heavy stinging sharpness. It is a soothing and pleasing range he pulls from, but can still push it to the edge when appropriate.

Past recordings by JW-Jones have featured guest musicians to enhance their appeal. People like Junior Watson, Hubert Sumlin and Kim Wilson. But he does not need anybody to take away focus from his talents. For the most part it is solely his own band that lays down all the grooves on Seventh Hour. With his own guitar being the center of it all. As it should be. Every track here sounds fresh and just as the band will sound if they were playing on a stage in front of you. Why shouldn’t it, it was recorded in JW’s own living room by sharp Canadian studio wizard Steve Dawson. Plus all but two songs are originals (Little Milton’s “I’m Tryin’” and Roy Orbison’s “So Long I’m Gone”). The band delivers the goods as well, with precise rhythm laid out by drummer Jeff Asselin and Marc Decho on both upright and electric basses, and pounding up the keys is Jesse Whiteley.

At times JW-Jones come across with a rockabilly feel, a little country, some rock, but it is all first class blues all the way. With his abilities being challenged and surpassed with every recording, JW-Jones should draw us all into his world and happily so. There is a very bright future in store for this Canadian bluesman and he has barely touched on what he will bring to the table. Watch out, this guy is going to shake up the blues world and Seventh Hour is going to help pave that way.

Total Time: 36:43

Ain’t Gonna Beg / Let It Go / In A Song / You Got Caught / All Over Again / Heartbreaker / Do For You / I’m Tryin’ / What Is Real / So Long I’m Gone