I have a contact in the US who often supplies me with music that might not otherwise get an airing in the UK. This is one of those, and by golly what a fine album it is!
JB Barnes is the son of a man who travelled from Mississippi to Chicago in search of a better life for his family – along with many others who made the same journey and who developed the Chicago Blues style that has its roots in the deep south and particularly Mississippi.
On this album he honours his father and family’s legacy through music. He reflects on the personal and the ills of modern society but also makes some superb music along the way.
Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t reinventing the Blues, but he is laying down some superb examples of modern electric Blues, especially featuring some of the best guitar work I’ve heard this year, delivered by producer Anthony Krizan. Barnes himself is a superb bass player, and his band includes his son, Jarred ‘Arktkt’ Barnes.
Barnes is a multi-award winning musician who has delivered an album of real quality. Well worth searching out and delving into, he is the epitome of a top, modern Bluesman.
