Customer Reviews

Fast Fingers

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Fast Fingers was first released in 1969, Jimmy Dawkins was recognized as a blues guitarist on his way up. He never has received the acclaim he deserves, but this record, his debut album still holds up, and showcases a talent that we are still bless to have with us.

Dawkins' style of playing is mournful but frenetic, with lost of fast runs (hence the album name, which became Dawkins' nickname) and times when his playing starts to build up like the music is going to speed up considerably, but he levels off.

Songs like It Serves Me Right To Suffer, I'm Good For Nothing, I Finally Learned A Lesson, and I Don't Know What Love Is show off this skillful technique, and make you wonder why Dawkins doesn't occupy a more prominent place in the blues pantheon. Regardless, this CD is excellent, and very enjoyable for anyone who likes the blues and blues guitar.

This is Jimmy Dawkins first and strongest album. Dawkins would never be quite so innovative and tough again. The other reviewer said that Jimmy Dawkins was not one of the original West Side Soul and Blues men (which is true) but he is one of the original "dirty" blues men. He was one of the first to turn the distortion on his guitar up a notch. He muzzled the sound of the guitar so that it dosen't sound quite as sharp but the screams and underlying heartbreak come across all the same.

Jimmy Dawkins was not the first, but he was and is one of the very best West Side (of Chicago) blues guitarists. This is his first album, and it features some killer guitar work along with some somber singing in that classic minor-key West Side sound.

Highly recommended.

great blues album by someone that should have been more well known---great session musicans with a taste of the chicago blues

I love this CD and cannot figure out why I had never heard of this guy before. Dawkins' playing is fantastic and he has an awesome guitar sound. He is as good as any other player of his time. I guess he is just one of those guys that fell off the radar screen and never got the attention he deserved. I would not miss the chance to buy this CD and get something very cool that seems to be a rare find.