This could very well be one of the easiest reviews I've ever had to do.  As a matter of fact, it could very well be one of the shortest, as well.  It doesn't take a whole lot of creativity, or space, to tell you that at this year’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, J.P. Soars & The Red Hots were awarded the prestigious first-place award and individually, Soars received the Albert King Award as the competition’s best guitar player.  That alone should have you leaving here right now and going straight to the band's website for the disc. 

 

    For the few still here, I'll go ahead and tell you more.  On "Back Of My Mind", Guitarist and Vocalist J P Soars is joined by Gary Rimmington on Electric & Upright Bass and Chris Peet on Drums.  Together, this trio make up J P Soars And The Red Hots.  Other musicians on the project include: A J Kelly on Bass, Terry Hanck on Saxophone, Billy Burns on Harmonica, Greg Kingsolver on Piano, John Epstein on Hammond Organ, and Guillermo Lojo on Backup Vocals.

 

    One of several originals on the disc is the opening track titled, "Born In California, Raised In Arkansas".  The lyrics tell of a geographical path and give a brief biography of the early Soars years.  The other story it tells is that J P can sing and tear it up on guitar.

 

    "A Letter To My Girlfriend" had me stifled in a way.  A way in which, because of snappin' my fingers, tappin' my feet and constantly hitting replay, I couldn't get this paragraph done.  The band was in such a groove on this one that I needed a lot more than the songs' two and a half minutes.  A J and Chris were in a zone on rhythm, Terry's sax blowin' was sharp and J P had me in a trance with his vocals.  Surely one of the discs best right here.

 

    The "Gypsy Woman" told J P "You your mother's bad-luck child.".  What she told me was that it's this kind of stuff that won J P the Albert King Award.  This could very well be the best cover of this Muddy tune that this listener has ever heard.  J P is remarkable - both vocally and musically, Terry nails the slow, sultry sax notes and the rhythm guys, led by very steady organ from John, are in a real smooth groove.  More good stuff here.

 

    "Call My Baby", another Soars original, has him sounding like a young Howlin' Wolf on vocals.  This is a voice designed, and destined, to sing the blues. 

 

    "Low Dirty Deal" is a fast, and I mean a real fast, paced smoker.  Chris and A J are sluggin' it out while creating some of the discs best rhythm work, Greg's getting in on the fast action with a few piano highlights, and J P.....well he's doin' his usual ass kickin' on guitar.

 

    Although he only appears on a very few tracks, Billy makes up for lost time with some nice harp work on this one.  Ditto for Greg with a good job on piano here as well.  Red Hots regular, Gary, has got the bottom covered with some nice sound comin' out of that big bass, and J P does a great job of singing about the evils of that vicious drug, and the title of the song, "Cocaine".

 

    Other tracks on "Back Of My Mind" include: "29 Ways", "Will I Ever", "Gangster Of Love", "Been Down So Long", "Baby I Used to Love You" and "Blue Drag".

 

    One of the rewards for winning the International Blues Challenge is that your band gets booked in some of the better blues festivals around the country.  That's not just a wonderful opportunity for the band, it's one for some of you as well.  Keep your eyes open, because J P Soars will be soaring your way sometime soon.  Make sure you catch him.

 

    And for those of you who haven't yet gone to www.jpsoars.com for a copy of "Back Of My Mind", now's the time to do it.  Make sure ya tell him that Blewzzman sent ya.

 

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com