2020 – Delta Blues
Records
By Phillip Smith; Nov. 21, 2020
Hailing from North Little
Rock, Arkansas, Billy Jones brings a boat-load of excellence and
authenticity to his brand of blues. As
a child, wanting to be like B.B. King and Elmore James, he would
sneak out and head to a dangerous juke joint nearby just to listen to the likes
of Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf, and Bobby Blue Bland. These influences, along with his guitar
prowess and soulful vocals, make for a refreshing, attention-grabbing
combination. His new album Billy
Jones & Delta Blues Outlaws boasts fifteen terrific songs totaling
seventy minutes of musical brilliance.
Opening with “The One You Need”, Jones delivers a wonderful performance of slow, soul-blues. Punched up with horns, and keys, the song shines bright. From the first note, “Liar” bursts out the gate, I am gobsmacked. Jones treats the listener with a ferocious bombardment of psychedelic blues guitar as he sings out a rhythmic serving of his poetic verse. He’s such a badass on guitar, I enjoy hearing him tear it up on “Love Nobody Else” and “I’m Yo Freak”. The funky Stax-influenced rhythm on “A Man and a Half” puts a big smile on my face. This is definitely a feel-good song.
Jones doles out a serious dose of delta blues on “Alligator Farm”. It sounds great! Accompanied with a side of organ, he brings it on a delightfully smooth downhome blues tune called “Biggest House in Town”.
By all means, if you get a chance to check out the music of Billy Jones & Delta Blues Outlaws, give them a listen. You won’t regret it all.
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Liar
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