Real Blues Magazine
Andy Grigg
Music Editor/Advertising Manager
JOHN LEE HOOKER JR.: ALL ODDS AGAINST ME (STEPPIN' STONE/KOCH)
While there are some that may wonder if this artist is cashing-in on his father's name, they obviously haven't heard John Lee Hooker Jr. as nothing could be further from the Truth as John Jr. could call himself Ish Kabibble and still be hailed as an exceptional Blues singer and songwriter. I'm sure his name helped him get through a few doors but they're all avenues he would've reached eventually. Comparisons also don't really have any merit as we're talking about completely different styles, genres and statements etc.
John Lee Jr. is a Modern Urban Blues/R&B man with a sound that could fill a Black Inner city club while his Father left the contemporary Black R&B audience behind in the 1960s and became a Patriarch mainly to White musicians and fans. John Jr.'s last CD, "Cold As Ice" on Telarc was a modern Blues masterpiece showcasing exceptional original tunes, polished production and a voice that's deep and as smooth as aged Whisky. There are singers and then there are SINGERS, and fortunately for Jr.'s sake he has God-given vocal chops that you just can't get tired of. One thing you'll notice right away is that most of John Jr.'s songs read like poetry set to music and his eloquence is a treat to those of us who tire of primitive same old Blues we hear over and over again (much of which has no relation or true meaning to the person singing it). John Jr.'s lyrics all have direct relation to his Life experiences having been up-and-down for 30 years. It is both remarkable and inspirational that John Jr. just left the streets and addiction in 2001 and now, fame as a top-calibre Blues Singer is just the Tip of the Diamond for John as he's about to become the animated hero in an European-based crime series where John sings in the clubs at night (excellent royalty potential from doing his own songs) and fights Evil in the daytime. What a concept! And, on top of that is a Comic Book with the same themes. We can be our Best Friend or choose to be our own victimizer and some of us transcend the latter to get back to the former. Knowing all this as well as hearing the music on this disc it seems like a 'given' that John Lee Hooker Jr. will rise to the heights relegated to the/for the Top 10 Blues Artists.
This is John Jr.'s 3rd album and as good as 2006's "Cold As Ice" was, "All Odds…" sounds much more fully realized and developed and whoever can sign John to a Big Label, Big Money contract will be riding with a winner. (But, perhaps John Jr. has seen enough of the Big Label Blues already via his father's endless battles).
This CD opens with "Dear John", one of the meanest, low-downest Blues songs ever written. It pertains to someone doing time in prison who gets a letter from his one-time wife accompanying Divorce Papers, an experience that's guaranteed to give you The Blues. One of the greatest Blues songs ever created? I'd say so. Taking one of Life's worst personal scars and turning it into a self-healing confession that will benefit both his Soul and his Bank account is payback of the sweetest kind. Both John Garcia (guitar) and David Barrett (harp) deserve special mention for their playing. "Extramarital Affair" deals with a musician's obsession with a nasty 'Lady-of-The-Road' and its' repercussions. Again, an eloquent and unique statement and I'm assuming Jr. contributes the majority of lyrics while bandmates Garcia, William Griffin, Frank Thibeaux and the rhythm guitarist Jeff Horan create the music given the song credits. "One Eye Open" is a wonderfully humorous look at America's obsession with Crime TV and Security Measures and frame of mind it promotes (paranoia). "I Miss You So" is an old-school R&B ditty featuring Will Griffin's keyboard skills. Nice stuff. "I've Got Your Back" reminds one of Lou Rawls (stylistically) with Mike Rogers' solid and powerful drumming right up front. "Pay Day" is all about karma associated with child abuse/neglect. "Stressed Out" is a tough, big-time Rock/Blues, while "There's A Struggle" deals with John Jr.'s daily battles with the Demons of self-abuse. Very poignant stuff and Pure Blues. John Garcia, who I saw/heard a lot of in the 1970s has really developed into quite the guitarist. He lays down perfect backing and when solos are required, he keeps them melodic, short and sweet. "Struggles" has many personal/intimate revelations and John Jr. is one of the few whose lyrics are important to listen to. "Old School" has John and the rhythm guitarist (Horan) alone and it's a real treat. Down home picking behind John's deep, rich voice. This man deserves to be regarded as one of the Top Blues Singers on today's Blues Scene. "Blues Ain't Nothin' But A Pimp" is a big-time brassy Blues and it makes you realize that John Jr. may have the 'deepest well' when it comes to composing first-rate original Blues. "The People Want A Change" is a Politics Blues for those who still believe that Voting actually works. It's reflective of the feelings held by millions. Musically it's another winner. "That Be The Blues" is a very unique number as it contains jazzy trumpet flourishes behind John Jr.'s Hip Poetry (that is one thing that stays with you long after you've finished listening to this disc - John Lee Hooker Jr. is both an incredible singer and the hippest Blues lyricist/songwriter since Willie Dixon. He deserves, on the strength of this album, to be propelled right to the Top of The Blues Scene, (regardless of what a handful of Blues Politicians/stuffed-shirts may think and try and dictate).
I don't think ANYONE should try and hold-back John Lee Jr. He should be regarded as a Headliner and this CD deserves a Grammy. 6 Big Bottles of Courvoisier for an album that exudes class. Probably the Best Blues CD of 2008 and what's especially nice is that both Black and White audiences will dig it.
…A. Grigg |