Had I read the one sheet included with this disc before actually listening to it, there's a good chance I may not have listened at all.  That's the reason I don't do it.  With no disrespect intended to the late - and yes, great - Jimi, I probably would have read the "Hendrixian" comparison and made a wrongfully premature decision that I'd be listening to another rocker calling himself a blues man.  That's not the case at all. 

 

    With very strong vocal and guitar performances, and all original music and lyrics to boot, Jason King Roxas' "Blue Skies & Black Shoes" is one heck of an impressive debut disc.  Jason's backed by a talented band which include Wilbert Banks on bass, Pat Dotson and Michael Moore on drums, Jason Stanton on keyboards and Hammond B3, Tommy Stiles on Weissenborn (lap slide) and lap steel guitars, Rick Metz on Tenor and Baritone saxophones, and Freddie Mills on harmonica.

 

    "I'm Your Man" is one of those barn burners that ends way too soon.  You know what I mean, it's one of those three and a half minute tracks that gets into such a groove that you want to hear ten more minutes of it.  With Michael putting out some red-hot rhythm on the drums behind them, Jason and Rick smoke their guitar and tenor leads.  Surely one of discs best right here.  

 

    His tender, sincere vocals, and soft, torrid guitar notes are evidence of the anguish Jason's feeling over a departing lover on "Cryin' Shame".  Although Wilbur, Pat and Jason S. provide him with an ever so slow rhythm to work with, this one is all Jason King.  This is just one of the tracks I was talking about when I earlier referred to "very strong vocal and guitar performances".  Great song!

 

    If, like me, you like your blues "Mean & Nasty", then this one's for us.  Singing with an attitude, Jason's fueled by smoldering sax from Rick, fervent organ from Jason S, rock-solid rhythm from Wilbert and Pat, and lots of heat from his own guitar.  Another winner right here.

 

    Wilbert and Pat take the rhythm up a notch, Freddie blows it out on harp, and Jason tears it up on guitar on the smoker called "My Little Baby".  This one surely packs the dance floor.     

 

    By far, the discs best vocals are right here on "6 Years Gone" - a melancholic ballad.  Jason masters this one.  Great lap steel and piano work by Tommy and Jason S make it even more beautiful. 

 

    Other tracks - which do get a little funky and a bit more aggressive - on "Blue Skies & Black Shoes" include: "Steppin' Out", "Driftin", "Learn To Take It Slow", "Broken", "Blue Skies And Black Shoes", and "Soul Shaker".

 

    For more on Jason King Roxas, just visit his web site - www.jasonkingband.com. While there, make him and yourself both happy and pick up a copy of   "Blue Skies & Black Shoes".  And as always, please tell him the Blewzzman sent ya.

 

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro 

Blues editor @ www.Mary4Music.com