Jimmy Dawkins
Fast Fingers
(Delmark 623)
Delmark has re-released this 1969 first
album from Jimmy Dawkins and if you really want to hear some honest, straight punch to the
gut, anguished, soulful sorrow blues, this is your puppy. Dawkins doesn't waste words or
strings getting down to the business of playing the blues; his guitar talent is on vibrant
display in this long sought after release. Dawkins talksings when he isn't grinding his
axe on instrumentals. His style is calm, yet immediate; controlled but agonized. When I
say his guitar howls, I am not just being colorful. Quick, staccato attacks on the guitar
reflect into jarring, haunting testimonials of a tormented soul. Behind him, Eddie Shaw,
Lafayette Leake, and the incredible rhythm guitar work of Mighty Joe Young, enhance and
focus Dawkin's handy work. It's more than obvious how Dawkins earned the nickname of
"Fast Fingers;" a handle he evidently never liked. Take an earful of the rapid,
deadly assault on tracks like "Triple Trebles" and you'll get an idea of not
only the technical expertise of this man, but also the feeling he pulls from his musical
weapon. Listen closely to his guitar gently weeping on "You Got To Keep On
Trying," and you can almost hear the tears falling. This re-release is a fantastic
opportunity for the uninitiated to discover a true blues genius at a major turning point
in his soon to be legendary career. It is also a must have for blues aficionados; a real
experience in the realm of the sad and lonely from a talented performer.
- Bill Fountain -
Southwest Blues CD Review - December 1998
Current Reviews - 1998 Reviews - available at our store
