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| CD REVIEWS (Also published in SW Blues - Nov./05) |
| SOAP BARS AND DOG EARS - THE JIMMY BOWSKILL BAND (2004) |
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| I can�t resist quoting the late, great McKinley Morganfield, but since last year�s release of Jimmy's debut CD, Old Soul, this 14-year-old �mannish boy�s done grown�. Speaking of bluesmasters, boogie-boss John Lee Hooker�s �Hug You� and Willie Dixon�s �Little Baby� are given great nods on this disc. Dedicated to Jimmy�s grandfather, �Ace Playne�, and taking its cue from the utilization of vintage technical gear, this second CD proves he�s not just part of some �starmaker machinery� at work. Working collaboratively with a small group of core players, he takes an active and educational role in his genetic aspiration to impart the good times and bad times of blues music. Jimmy�s voice has naturally changed since last year, but just enough to take the �nag� out of it. He seems much more relaxed now, although he can still �belt it out�. Having developed a better sense of vocal dynamics, he uses his God-given talent to actually thrill his listeners rather than just impressing them. Being very young, he still relies on his father and others in respect to composing the mostly-original tracks. That being said, he has two self-penned songs of his own: �Bailieboro�, a lazily sweet jazz guitar tribute to his hometown near Peterborough; and �Jivin� Blues�, no doubt influenced by Jack de Keyzer and earlier players of that genre. There's no doubting, though; the kid�s got stuff! One particularly great roots-blues collaboration with Steve Bowskill is �Sad Song, Happy Tune�, where Mississippi John Hurt�s �down and blue but his fingers didn�t get the news�, epitomizing the spirit of playing and singing the blues as if all is right with the world. Jimmy�s vocal dexterity comes to the fore on �It�s So Fine� (Carlo/Gordy/Green), a rumba that weirdly reminded me of Brenda Lee � great choice of a cover! Soap Bars and Dog Ears is a musical equivalent of a page-turning, best-selling novel, snagging the listener with a wailing Texas blues guitar, sandwiching in some gospel, a Chuck Berry-influenced rockin� blues co-written with input from producer Alec Fraser, a heavy-funk band-composed jam, and ending with a bewitching slide guitar-harmonica duet with Jerome Godboo, called �Duelin� Bowlers� in reference to their signature-mark haberdashery. Unlike the best of novels, this CD will surely be �read� over and over. |
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