Musicians: J.W. Jones (leader, vocals, guitar); Nathan Morris (elec & upright bass); Bill Brennan (drums); Geoff Daye (piano, organ). Special guests: Kim Wilson (vocal & harmonica on tracks 4, 9, 11); Colin James (vocals on tracks 2, 3, 11). Horn Section: Brian Asselin (tenor sax); Steve Trecarten (tenor sax); Frank Scanga (baritone sax); Rick Rangno (trumpet).
Review: May 18, 2004 heralds the street date of My Kind of Evil, the third NorthernBlues release by JW-Jones and his hot Canadian blues band. Guitarist Jones continues his successful association with Kim Wilson of Fabulous Thunderbirds fame. Wilson produced the new album and performs on three tracks. Bluesman Colin James also appears on several tracks.
Fans of the Ottawa blues band will be delighted to hear a lot of original material on the new disk. Jones was involved in the writing of ten of the fourteen songs. Other tracks are drawn from the works of Willie Mabon, Fats Domino, Big Dave Bartholomew, Johnny Otis and Johnny “Guitar” Watson.
JW-Jones is a young player with his roots in the 1950s. His last CD, Bogart’s Bounce prompted me to compare his driving sounds to past legends such as Wynonie Harris. Nothing has changed! Jones and his band still rock “big-time.” While the lineup has changed slightly with the addition of drummer Bill Brennan and pianist Geoff Daye, bassist Nathan Morris remains a “constant.” Geoff Daye’s two fisted piano is a worthy replacement for the veteran Gene Taylor who guested on the earlier Bogart’s Bounce. Add the four members of the Wind Chill Factor horns and JW strikes again. This band has a very, very big sound.
Jones has enjoyed climbing popularity since his last recording. The outstanding guitarist played 165 gigs in the last year, touring Europe and Australia plus appearances in New York, Texas and Minnesota.
There are no disappointments on My Kind of Evil. Its just good blues!
Tracks: Shake That Mess; What You Do To Me; Ain’t Gonna Lie; I Don’t Know; Cheating Woman; Nothing On Me; You Can’t Fool Me; Slow Down; Blue Monday; My Kind of Evil; You’ve Got Me Where You Want Me; Code Blue; Aching Pain; Let’s Have a Ball.
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