JAMES " JB" BARNES * MY MISSISSIPPI ROOTS *
James JB Barnes 'My Mississippi Roots': "One of the most soulful blues records I’ve heard in maybe forever. On My Mississippi Roots Barnes lives up to his mission; to honor the artists that came before him while ensuring the blues remains vibrant in the present, to which I say, spectacularly well done, sir. Production is smooth and excellent, not overly cluttered and the spirit of the thing shines through with each and every note. Since Barnes is a bassist you know there’s got to be some funk in here, too, like in the closer Stand Up And Give Peace & Love A Chance. It’s a timely message with a 70’s funk feel. Wonderful, wonderful stuff (5 stars out of 5)" - John Kerieff
THE ROCK DOCTOR. Full Review: https://gonzookanagan.com/the-rock-doctors-hot-wax-album-reviews-week-of-october-27/
MY MISSISSIPPI ROOTS James “JB” Barnes (independent) *****
This is one of the most soulful blues records I’ve heard in maybe forever. With My Mississippi Roots Barnes lives up to his mission; to honor the artists that came before him while ensuring the blues remains vibrant in the present, to which I say spectacularly well done, sir.
There is a lot of James’s life in My Mississippi Roots. Born in Cleveland and raised in New Jersey, he grew up steeped in the sound and spirit of the music. On his father’s side he can trace his lineage back to Mississippi, so this record is as much family history as the blues is the bedrock of his artistic muse. As a bass player it makes sense that Barnes’s music has a sensuous sense of groovature, as it makes you feel like moving whether you want to or not. Part of the blues magic in these tracks comes from the guitar work of Anthony Krizan, particularly on a song like Brush With The Blues, which I first heard on a Jeff Beck album.
Aside from the soulfulness of the disc, like any decent blues this is fine storytellin’ music. The title track tells the story of his father, who journeyed from the deep south to the industrial North in search of work and a better life
for his family. “His Mississippi roots” say JB, “are my Mississippi roots.” Slow blues like Gotta Make A Change and a bluesy remake of Hall & Oates’ Sara Smile kinda hit you right in the babymaker. Other cover songs aside from those already mentioned include Carey Bell’s Lonesome Stranger and The Rolling Stones’ masterpiece Wild Horses, all of which fit nicely in the feel and vibe of the record.
Since Barnes is a bassist you know there’s got to be some funk in here too, like in the closer Stand Up And Give Peace & Love A Chance. It’s a timely message with a 70’s funk feel. Lots of vibes, feels and grooves throughout My Mississippi Roots, all with an easy blues breath to them. The production is smooth and excellent, not overly cluttered and the spirit of the thing shines through with each and every note. Wonderful , wonderful stuff.
www.jbkeepingthebluesalive.com
HOT TRACKS: Gotta Make A Change, Brush With The Blues, Sara Smile
http://www.jbkeepingthebluesalive.com/
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