Jony James Blues Band
What About Tomorrow
Blue Wave CD#151
This Buffalo, New York power trio is comprised of Rod Horning bass, Kent Leech drums, and Jony James on guitar, dobro, and vocals.
They do not perform upbeat blues/rock like Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, or Robin Trower. The band’s sound is heavy, and it
contains a mystic darkness. The majority of the nine Jony James written songs can be described as mind-altering rockers.
The opening track Strange & Funny Thing still contains strength though it is not a swift song. Ironically, the lyrics are practically
spoken in a gentle fashion. Still Love You features a catchy rhythm and crushed pebble stone vocals that alternate between stereo
channels like records from the psychedelic ’60s. Likewise, You & Me (Like A Rose) has a light and attractive rhythm which is
not as dreary as the others. With fuzzy sounding guitar notes, which are created by very bent strings, Tragic Magic reminds me of
fellow New Yorker Chris Beard. Throughout 45-minutes, James’ guitar ranges from rough to dirty to assaulting.
On What About Tomorrow, Jony James abides by no one’s rules except his own. In fact, on the title track, he advocates to ("Know who
you are and stand your ground"). This combined with some of the song’s tempos and pattern changes is admirable. On the downside,
the unexciting songs are mainly slow-paced and the range-lacking vocals are frail. In his liner notes for this rock CD, Blue Wave Records
president Greg Spencer forewarns "The Jony James Blues Band dares to be different. Listen and be challenged." Now I enjoy a
pulse-pounding blues/rock workout as much as the next non-traditional child of the ’60s, but What About Tomorrow is too different. Its
fruit falls far from the tree.
- Tim Holek -
Southwest Blues CD Review - June 2007
Current Reviews - 2007 Reviews - available at our store
