Monday, September 17, 2018

Willie Jackson Chosen By the Blues

Willie Jackson
Chosen By the Blues
Self-Produced

Savannah, Georgia based Willie Jackson is a full-throated blues shouter backed by a solid, efficient band. On this self-produced release he is backed by Jon Willis on bass, Dillon Young on guitar, Paxton Eugene on drums and Ace Anderson on harmonica. This is an EP with 6 straight-forward originals with a definite down-home flavor from Jackson's brawny baritone that is full of humor, his lyrics and the simple backing, especially Anderson's atmospheric harmonica.

He can be a clever lyricist as in his use of a fishing metaphor on "I'll Throw You Back," as he tells his woman she may think she's hot but wait till Willie gets her in his frying pan. Then when his woman isn't fulfilling her duties, he starts looking for someone else as she got caught "Sleepin' on the Job," and don't work here anymore. Guitarist Young takes perhaps his best solo here. Nothing earth-shattering perhaps, but Jackson does bring much passion to his performances.

I received a review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the May-June 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 378). Here is "Big Boned Woman," from this album.


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