Jimmy Bowskill Band
Soap Bars And Dog Ears
self released
I can't resist
quoting the late, great McKinley Morganfield, but since last year's release of his 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 tributes on this disc.
Dedicated to Jimmy's grandfather, "Ace Playne" and taking its cue from the
utilization of vintage technical gear, this 2nd 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
please his listeners rather than just impressing them.
Being still 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, Ontario; and "Jivin' Blues", no doubt influenced by Jack de
Keyzer's style. The kid's got stuff!
One
particularly great roots-blues collaboration with Steve Bowskill is "Sad Song, Happy
Tune", where Mississippi John's "down and blue but his feet didn't get the
news", epitomizing the spirit of playing the blues.
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, immediately
introduced with a wailing Texas blues guitar, sandwiching some gospel, a Chuck
Berry-influenced rockin' blues co-written with input from producer Alec Fraser, a
heavy-funk band 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 is one that will be 'read' over and over.
- Diane Wells -
Southwest Blues CD Review - November 2005
Current Reviews - 2005 Reviews
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