Jackie Don Loe
Tracks
Mojo Seed Records
Texas is a mighty big state holding within its borders a plethora of landscapes. Mountains, deserts, rolling green hills, beautiful beaches, big cities and small towns: we’ve got them all and all have the enviable benefit of breathtaking sunsets stretching endlessly across the big Texas blue sky.
Texas music is much like those landscapes – what kind of music don’t we have? Blues, rock, jazz, country – each rich and magnificent, and all home grown.
Texans are known the world over – friendly, bigger-than-life yet down to earth folks who’ve never met a stranger. It must appear to the rest of the world that it’s easy to be so happy when you are born in the greatest spot on earth. After all, you don’t see bumper stickers that say, “I wasn’t born in Iowa, but I got here as fast as I could.” (Sorry Iowans. Really, really sorry.)
I know this sounds like bragging, which I guess it is, but it’s true. With this legacy, is it any wonder the Lone Star State has produced some of the most famous, beloved musicians ever? Giving of their gifts night after night acting as soul healing magic medicine minstrels.
What if one of these homegrown Tejas musicians made music that was like the landscape – wild, free, joyous and unfenced? Sounds like a fireside tale, but stay with me. What if he used his considerable talents to bring joy through his songs to music loving folks? What if he did it by merging all the sounds that ran through his heart as surely as the Texan blood ran through his veins?
Guess what? This is no made up tale. He’s real, and he exists in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. And now he’s released his first CD, Tracks. Ladies and gentlemen (and all the rest of you too), for your listening pleasure, may I introduce Farmers Branch native, Mr. Jackie Don Loe.
An effervescent and engaging entertainer, night after night in bars and fine dives Jackie Don Loe captivates his audience by playing not to them but into them – into their minds and hearts. He IS them, and his sincere interest in who are people fuels their enthusiasm and his 6-string wildfire. A typical set might last 3 hours. If the groove is right and the audience is feeling it, one song might last 20 minutes! Play the room, Jackie Don, play the room!
Loe manages to capture all of the exuberance of his live performance in this collection of 12 tracks. Alternating rhythm sections of Chuck “Popcorn” Louden (drums) and Carl Bush (bass) with Peter Kaplan (drums) and Jay Dronge (bass) keeps the songs alive and breathing. The addition of Sparky Montoya on keys on four tracks adds yet another dimension to the sound. Which is excellent because Jackie Don Loe is a multi-dimensional guitarist. From the unmistakable blues of “Struttin’ With Albert” and “Texas Cannonball” (respectful tips of the hat to the Texas legends that have come before him), to the funk and groove of “Lemon Pie Express”, Jackie Don proves that his Mojo guitar trick bag is large and carefully packed. The poignant and contemplative “Two Voices of Green” and “Ten Years Later” offer a glimpse to yet another side of this versatile performer. In addition to the 8 self-penned tunes, Loe includes four carefully chosen covers, including “Who Knows” by Jimi Hendrix, a huge influence on Jackie Don, not only for his guitar prowess, but his personal vibe.
Jackie Don has taken this to heart. Vibe and karma are paramount. His audiences love him – absolutely LOVE him - because they feel the love he gives to them through his gift, the magic of music. You might wonder if choosing to make his first release a totally instrumental offering would leave enough room to express a Texas size range of emotions and styles.
Well, yeah. Hell yeah!!
Is there blues? Yes. Is it all blues? Well, to quote Jackie Don himself “I just play guitar. I let everyone else sort it out.” So open your mind and ask yourself if you like good music. Because that, my friends, you will find on this CD in abundance.
Jump on board the Tracks with Jackie Don Loe and experience the Texas road trip of your dreams!
- Blue Lisa -
Southwest Blues CD Review - November 2009
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