JP BLUES
MAKE ROOM AT THE TABLE
MIDNIGHT CIRCUS RECORDS MCP 10003
KEEP ON WALKING–LOVE SO COLD–OLD MAN JOE–MAKE ROOM AT THE TABLE–ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE–MOVE ASIDE–HOLY ROLLER–GOOD ENOUGH–DON’T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD–TROUBLE ON HEELS–WE AIN’T GOING NOWHERE–DAY BY DAY
Blues fans, lets “Make Room At The Table” for one of the hottest young players on the scene today, JP Blues. The JP stands for John Pagano, and this is his third set for Midnight Circus Productions, and it places him squarely in the mix of the young guns that are determined to keep the blues alive and well into the 21ST century.
Cliches’ such as “jaw-droppingly-awesome” may be overused, but, one listen to this incendiary set and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a new term of description for his immense talents. He puts a modern spin on the time-honored traditions of “walkin’ blues” with the loping stride of the leadoff “Keep On Walking,” which also features JP on keys as well as guitar. “Holy Roller” uses a combination of acoustic and electric leads to rail against the evils of excess, while JP uses a cool echo-effect vocal over a driving riff to describe a woman who knows how to use what she’s got to get what she wants, and is truly “Trouble On Heels.” This one features an extended slide solo at the bridge. A man who wonders if his meager means is “Good Enough” to satisfy his lover is set over a modified reggae beat, with a quirky horn section for spice.
We had three favorites, too. JP rocks a mean Hill-Country beat on “Old Man Joe,” which rides Yonrico Scott’s drums over JP’s sweet lap-steel, while JP’s slide conjures up the ghost of Duane Allman on the devilishly-cool title cut. And, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is presented herein as a vastly different version than the original, with sparse guitar over JP’s haunting vocal.
Fans, JP Blues is the real deal, and he’s making sure that the future of the blues is in good hands. “Make Room At The Table” for this one, and add it to your collection! Until next time….Sheryl and Don Crow
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