Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues – Jim Gustin and Truth Jones vs. Robben Ford vs. Rockin’ Legends Tribute To Jack White

Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues – Jim Gustin and Truth Jones vs. Robben Ford vs. Rockin’ Legends Tribute To Jack White
JIM GUSTIN and TRUTH JONES
Can’t Shed A Tear
independent release 2013

Christian blues, eh? I don’t get many of them popping through the letter box. But it seems appropriate, what with this review going up around Christmas time.

Jim Gustin and his band (Truth Jones) have been doing the rounds for decades now, but this is their debut CD. It sees them performing 14 original tunes that incorporate blues, rock and even gospel. And it’s rather good.

All those years playing covers andwhat nots on the club circuit have turned the band into seasoned professionals, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Mr Gustin has a lived in voice, and it makes a change to hear some positive words attached to the music. There are a lot of good tunes on offer, with my current favourites ‘If God Made Something Better’ and ‘My Baby Just Left Me Again’. And as a bonus for readers of liner notes there are a couple of guest appearances from John “Rabbitt” Bundrick (The Who, Free) on keyboards. An enjoyable one.

BUY AT AMAZON
ROBBEN FORD
A Day In Nashville
Provogue 2014

Someone else who has been on the go for decades is Mr Robben Ford. But he whaps out albums on a regular basis, and when this one emerges in February, it will be bang on a year since his last one, “Bringing It Back Home”.

Of course, it helps that this new release took one whole day to record. Yes, you read that right. One day. So it’s pretty much one take, no dubs, whap nine tunes down and see what happens. And what happens is a good album.

Of course, with his pedigree, he was able to pull in some very capable musicians, so you’ve got the likes of guitarist Audley Freed (Black Crowes), keyboardist Ricky Peterson (David Sanborn), bassist Brian Allen (Jason Isbell), drummer Wes Little (Sting) and trombonist Barry Green (Tony Bennett). All folk that know how to lay down some top notch music.
There isn’t anything new to the recent Ford template, but the spontaniety of the performances and some excellent songs like ‘Midnight Comes Too Soon’ and ‘Ain’t Drinkin’ Beer No More’, allied to some sterling guitar work makes for compelling listening. His past life playing with the likes of Joni Mitchell and Miles Davis means he brings something a little bit extra to the blues table, and this will please his ever increasing fan base.

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Rockin’ Legends Tribute To Jack White
Cleopatra

A late contender for album of the year. Nothing to do with The White Stripes though, as I was never a fan. Well, I liked Meg. No, as soon as I looked at the tracklist and saw that ‘I’m Shakin’ was being performed by Big Jay McNeely and ex Hawkwind sax honker Nik Turner, well I was hooked.

And the first half of this CD is excellent, with the Wanda Jackson, Sonny Burgess, Gary U.S. Bonds and Bobby Vee giving it laldy on tunes like ‘In The Cold, Cold Night’, ‘Steady As She Goes’, ‘Salute Your Solution’ and ‘We’re Going To Be Friends’.

Of course it’s not all gold, but the dross is mainly grouped near the end of the record. Most of the good stuff is rough and ready rockabilly, and is a real treat with the Robert Gordon and Chris Spedding take on ‘Another Way To Die’, essential listening.

BUY AT AMAZON

Don’t forget to tune into Mr H every Thursday at 8pm, Her Majestys Great British time, when you will find him Rockin’ The Blues on that there internet radio. http://www.getreadytorockradio.com