Jumpin’ Jack Benny review 11-09-11

JUMPIN JACK BENNY

I’LL BE ALRIGHT

BOPPIN RECORDS  BPN 001

 

I DON’T BELIEVE–TELL ME PLEASE–LET YOUR LOVE GO–I’LL BE ALRIGHT–MEAN WOMAN BLUES–FIND A FOOL–BIG WOMAN BLUES–PARTY’S ON–TAKE TIME OUT TO HEAR ME SOME BLUES–ONE MORE SONG–YOU GOT YOURS I GOT MINE

 

 

 

Known for his raucous, high-energy live shows, bandleader Jumpin’ Jack Benny has captured the feel of his shows onto his debut release for Boppin Records, “I’ll Be Alright.”  A killer vocalist and harpman, he incorporates elements of the old-school R & B revues of the Sixties with the gritty sounds of today’s contemporary blues.  Throughout these eleven cuts, the urge to dance is a constant, as Jack’s showmanship is augmented by his stellar backing crew, which uses a hot horn section on several cuts.

 

This non-stop funk brigade kicks off with “I Don’t Believe,” with its call-and-response harp/guitar interplay between Jack and Tony Fingers.  An extended guitar intro jumpstarts “Mean Woman Blues,” which may bring to mind classic SRV.  The set closes with two smokin’ live cuts.  The “funky blues” of “One More Song” has several factors trying to disrupt Jack’s gig, but he’s determined to get in that last encore!  And, the swingin’, horn-driven “You Got Yours, I Got Mine” gives everyone a chance to show their stuff.

 

We had two favorites, too.  Jack’s lover “took time out” to take care of things at home, and now is ready to “Take Time Out And Hear Me Some Blues.’  And, the hilarious slow-cookin’ “Big Woman Blues” lets you know the kind of woman it takes to please Jack, and the harp and slide work takes this one right down thru the Delta.

 

Jumpin’ Jack Benny has been described as “one part James Brown, one part Baptist preacher, and one part Sinatra.”  So, decide for yourself while you enjoy “I’ll Be Alright!”   Until next time, Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society.