Review (+)
In 1984 Jimmy got a contract with John Stedman, owner of the English JSP
label. JSP, just as Black & Blue in the Seventies, have been accused of
recording some pretty bad stuff. JSP should though have credit for recording
several artists who shamefully enough didn´t have record contracts
elsewhere, e.g. Buddy Guy, Jimmy Dawkins, Lefty Dizz, Carey Bell and many more.
JSP also was one of the first blues labels which foresighted the CD-revolution.
Jimmy Dawkins JSP album is unfortunately not one of the better albums on JSP,
and it´s definitely not one of Jimmy Dawkins strongest albums. Staffan
Solding have written the liner notes and his name makes me feel sad and blue.
He was the DJ on the Swedish radio program "Mera Blues" for many
years. Today there´s no blues programs whatsoever on Swedish Radio.
It´s a shame! If you like you can listen to the entire album at Yahoo Broadcast
- Feel the blues (4.46)
Popsoul! I liked when Jimmy Dawkins churned out the heavy funk on "Blisterstring",
here the band is not as funky and Jimmy's guitar is thin and uninteresting.
But I can´t help liking Richard Kirch´s rhythm guitar! The CD has
a better mix and the sound is tougher - Go for the cd.
- Highway Man Blues (7.52)
A very traditional slowblues which just goes on and on and on and on without
nothing happening. J.T Burks plays harmonica on this one, but he could just
as well stayed home. Jimmy continues the style of guitar he developed on "Hot
Wire 81". It worked on that album, here the guitar never moves you.
- Last Days (8.20)
Another traditional slowblues. A little better than "Highway Man Blues",
Jimmy Dawkins at least sounds interested when he sings. Uninteresting guitar
and "ungrooving" band efforts makes this a nice sleepingpill...
- (If you got to) love somebody (6.10)
This is one of the best songs Jimmy Dawkins have written. A soulblues kind
of thing, and this is the best song on the album. Richard Kirch have found
a hypnotic riff and even Professor Eddie Lusk´s organ is OK.
- Christmas Time Blues (5.19)
Nora Jean Wallace, who later sang on "Kant sheck dees bluze", wishes
the listener a Merry Christmas. An up tempo rollicking shuffle which doesn´t
swing! It´s nice to hear that Nora Jean Wallace has developed as a singer
since 1984...
- Have a little Mercy (8.12) Another slowblues and it´s the best
one of the three on the album. Richard Kirch plays wonderful Eighties slowblues
rhythm guitar!
Cd-tracks
- We got to go (5.30)
A shuffle. Why didn't Jimmy just go home before he recorded this?
- So good to me (6.30)
Nora Jean Wallace and Jimmy tries to make it funky, but it´s not working.
Try Feel the Blues for a more inspired try.
- So good to me (alt take) (5.16)
If you didn´t fell asleep with the first take, you get a new chance
with the alternative take.
Tommy Jansson
