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Review (++)

Jimmy Dawkins recorded a couple of more albums, on the English JSP label, in the eighties. I haven´t heard the live album, but the studio album was for me a big disappointment. After the JSP sessions Jimmy stopped recording and concentrated instead on his newly formed record label, Leric. The first signs of his return to the living (well, at least his return to recording) was the live recordings he cut during an Iceland tour in 1991. The same year Jimmy went into a studio in Chicago with Eddie Lusk on organ, Johnny B. Gayden on bass, Billy Flynn on guitar and Ray Scott on drums, and the result is what I´m going to review. It´s all recorded on one day, June 18, 1991, and as a listener you can notice that. There don´t seem to be no time for rehearsing, second takes or talking the session over. It´s a "get into the studio and play your ass off" feeling. I read this is how Jimmy Dawkins likes to record, get in the studio and blast off. The band works, but they´re not very exciting. Well, well, enough complaining, the songs:

• I ain´t got it (4.14)
  A straight hard driving shuffle opens the album. Both Jimmy's guitar and Eddie Lusk´s piano gives nods to Elmore James. Jimmy's guitar sound is uglier than ever, but in my opinion it sounds to "compressed" to be really enjoyable. Jimmy haven´t played this much guitar as he does on this album ever! If you love Jimmy's guitar you won´t be disappointed with this track or this album.
• Rockin D. Blues (5.51)
  The tempo slows down and Jimmy's guitar wails and sings comments all through the song. It´s interesting to notice how Jimmy's voice have matured. He´s still no great singer, but he found a way to use his voice so it blends in nicely with the style of blues he plays today.
• Made the hard way (5.51)
  A medium paced shuffle with good lyrics. Jimmy sings how fame and fortune always evaded him, but he bears the pain. There´s a talked part in the latter half of the song where Jimmy comments the political situation at the time. The trouble is the song is too long!
• A love like that (4.08)
  Nora Jean Wallace, a Leric artist, steps in and gives a soulful touch to the album, but I don´t like her voice. Johnny B. Gayden shines on bass. He´s a great funk/soul baseman, I don´t think he is as good in straight blues shuffle Eddie Lusk plays a nice solo here too.
• Kant sheck dee bluze (9.09)
  The best song on the CD. Minor key. Good guitar from Flynn and Gayden´s bass gives a doomy feeling. Eddie Lusk´s piano lurks in the back and nicely fill in the spaces with all from thundering base chords to rapid-fire licks way up the keyboard. Jimmy Dawkins then? Strong lyrics, strong voice and great guitar. 9.09 feels a little too long though.
• I>Gittar rapp (4.55)
  Billy Flynn and Dawkins fights it out in this great hard rocking instrumental.
• Too bad baby (4.30)
  A shuffle. Eddie Lusk´s piano sets the groove. Jimmy's guitar sound is getting boring. Billy Flynn have found a nice riff. Do you get the picture?
• My man loves me (4.13)
  Nora Jean Wallace again. I can´t say why (well, it´s her voice actually), but I don't like this song. A kind of slowblues with full throated vocals from Nora Jean.
• Get on the ball (5.10)
  A Johnny B. Gayden kind of bluesfunk song. In my opinion this is not Jimmy's cup of tea.
• Wes Cide Bluze (4.57) ()
  I like the start of this song. I like it very much. An "All your love" kind of riff sets the mood. I love when Jimmy plays against these kind of riffs! Unfortunately Eddie Lusk plays an organ solo. His sound here is to meek and weak to fit on this song.
• Beetin nockin ringin (7.08)
  A slowblues where Dawkins guitar sound after seven minutes gets to you - in a bad way.
• Luv sumbody (4.02)
  I think these kind of soulblues fits Jimmy. This version is marred though by too funky bass and too boring guitar sound
• Gotta hold on (6.10)
  On the last song on the CD Jimmy Dawkins performs a gospel tune. In his later albums Jimmy's macho style is pronounced. More lyrics like this Mr Dawkins! The world needs hope.