JP BLUES
LIVE AT DARWIN’S
MIDNIGHT CIRCUS RECORDS MCP 1004
KEEP ON WALKING–YOU UPSET ME BABY–AIN’T GONNA LOSE YOU YET–OLD MAN JOE–MEET ME HALFWAY–AMERICAN BOY–GOOD ENOUGH–DAY BY DAY–99 PROBLEMS–ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE–GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL
There’s nothing like spending your birthday bringing the best in live blues to an appreciative crowd, but that’s exactly what happened to John Pagano, “JP Blues.” JP spent his twenty-fifth birthday in Marietta, GA, at Darwin’s Burgers And Blues, and the result is his first live set, “JP Blues: Live At Darwin’s.”
JP has already released two critically-acclaimed albums, “I Will Not Go Quietly,” and “Make Room At The Table.” “Live At Darwin’s” has the unique distinction of being distributed primarily thru online digital retailers. On this one, JP is joined by Shiloh Bloodworth on drums and Tony Hossri on bass.
They kick things off with “Keep On Walking,” featuring a fiery solo from JP, while “Ain’t Gonna Lose You Yet” sets up a cool, funky, danceable groove, as does “Meet Me Halfway.” JP’s plea to his lover begs the question “am I Good Enough for you,” and utilizes a bit of a reggae-fied vibe, while the raw power of his playing is on full display with tunes such as “Day By Day” and “Another Time Another Place.”
We had two favorites, too. JP turns B. B.’s “You Upset Me Baby” into a full-on, blues-rockin’ guitar tour-de-force. And, JP busts out his slide for a touch of thumpin’ Mississippi Hill country blues with “Old Man Joe.”
JP Blues is now endorsed by Epiphone guitars, and rightfully so. He brings fierce, deep passion and power into the mix, drawing from that same wellspring that Magic Sam drew from. One listen to “JP Blues: Live At Darwin’s” and you’ll be a believer, too! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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