Customer Reviews

Jay Hooks

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Bet on Jay Hooks being the next big "talk of the town" among blues/rock guitar players. This guy is a lighting-fast, in your face guitar player, with a lot of feeling behind his music. His vocals are rough but that's just his style. Hooks is right on track with his sound. If you like Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Jimi Hendrix you're gonna love Jay Hooks. His down home Texas roots come to life in his music. "Straight Whiskey and "Last Time I Left Memphis" are slow burn blues tunes. "Where You Goin'?" and "Voodoo Woman" features some killer slide guitar and wah-pedal. "Hell On Heels" is a rock tune. Hooks breaks things up with a shuffle, two instrumentals, and even an acoustic blues number. There are not many blues rockers who would attempt that. This CD is a necessity for any hardcore blues rock fan.

The 12 tunes on this CD lean more to the rocker side of the blues, but purists will be more than satisfied with the no nonsense approach. This cat doesn't believe in boxes or devices just his guitar to deliver a blistering power trio sound that explodes. His lyrics like his guitar playing get straight to the point. If you like Hendrix, Stevie and Johnny, you will love this. The CD really cooks, give this guy a close listen and see for yourself.

I could'nt quite put my finger on it...but I really think Hooks sounds a lot like Lonesome Dave from the early Savoy Brown. I can also hear a hint of Southern Rock influence undernearth his Texas blues roots. When Your Lover Don't Love You is the most 1930's style acoustic blues song I have heard from someone as young as Jay Hooks. The 3 miniute guitar solo on Last Time I left Memphis is totally rocking. This is a great mixture of all my favorite sounds. I really enjoy listening to this CD. It is one of my best finds from this decade.

If you are into Texas Blues I recommend that you add this to your collection. It's been a long time since I've heard this kind of hard core, no holds barred guitar. This cat is smokin! He lets it rip on tracks like "Voodoo Woman" and "Where You Goin" and backs all the way down to an accoustic track but never lets you forget that this IS pure Texas Blues. Keep your eye on this guy and get this CD. You won't be sorry.

If you like traditional BLUES or get off on subtle guitar stylings, this is not for you. If,like me, you love no holds barred electric blues that sounds improvisational and off the cuff, than HOOKS is your man. I love the carefree attitude of this CD. This man is fast and doensn't mind showing it. ( a bit like MELVIN TAYLOR or JAY GORDON ). Speed can sometimes be a detriment as it superseeds all other aspects, but not in this case. HOOKS plays with such an obvious understanding of the BLUES and so much emotion that even his speediest passages never sound like finger excercises or scale repetitions.
Most of the songs are excellent and he sings with a laconic quality that suits his brand of BLUES very well.
Once again if you like the guitar and the BLUES you need this CD

Not only was I impressed with this as his first CD - he has his own crazy style. If you love Walter Trout, my own personal favorite Boogie Man, then this is NOT a gamble - you will dig Jay - he Rocks the Blues.

I don't know what's up with Greg in Tono, Wa---Hooks and Marie are one of the best gigs I have seen in years. They love what they are doing and they care what you think. I have his music near me all the time. I go see Jay perform every chance I get, and it is the fastest five hours of the day each time. I never get tired of watching Jay and Marie play. They really complement eachother. Their CDs reflect their genius, and it's amazing to see where the music is really coming from-----up close and personal.

If you've ever played guitar, or even air guitar, get this CD.
You can feel the Texas heat beating down and feel the grit on the streets on this record. I wish the jam on "Easy Way Out" was 10 minutes long. Five stars but guess what - I'll bet the best is yet to come. Rock on!

Jay puts all his heart and soul into every note. No frills here...just crank it up to 10 and rock. His influences are obvious and he has studied well. But Jay is Jay...he adds an element of surprise and intensity to his music that only he can do and it makes me grin.

This is the hottest blues- rock album I have bought in a long time. I would recommend it to any fans of the Texas 3 piece sound. I can't wait for Jay Hooks new Mascot-Provogue release in 2002. I hear Jerry Gaskill from Kings X will be playing drums on the new CD. I wonder what planet Greg is from? Jay Hooks is the next generation of guitar orientated blues-rock!