Customer Reviews

You Left Me in the Dark

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

 

 

For fans of great blues guitar in the style of T-Bone Walker, Fenton Robinson and Wayne Bennett (early Bobby Bland) this is for you. Jody's special gift is in his ability to create a mood to fit the song rather than beating you over the head with volume and speed. After all blues is all about feeling and Jody is a master at this.

Listening to the opening guitar on the third track "Don't Get Caught Sleeping In My Bed." I can't remember ever hearing anything more beautiful.

The backing musicians perform admirably and the horn charts are superb. I'm not sure about the criticism regarding studio musicians vs. road musicians as all the musicians on the record regularly perform live as well as in the studio.

Interesting that none of the reviewers in the English language blues magazines concur at all with the two amateurs who have weighed in here; every magazine review has been a rave with compliments on the band. Jody's working rhythm section IS on this CD; on most tracks the only addition is a keyboard player (just like on the last one), which Jody would tour with if he could find one who worked out for him. On most cuts the second guitarist is a musician who's played often with Jody live and excels in the studio. Deadbeat? Lead foot? Ridiculous and uncalled for adjectives. Since the first reviewer has added a comment about knowledge of the material, it's worth noting that most of the material on the CD had never been played on jobs, so the working second guitarist didn't know it any better than the excellent Billy Flynn (to quote one print review)who was used on the CD, who had dubs to study and knows Jody's style inside out-- as he showed on the CD. And both of the first two reviewers may need help understanding that guys like Jody who come out of the T-Bone Walker/B.B. King school of orchestrated blues like their music framed with keyboards and horns when the opportunity presents itself, which, given the economics of touring, is more likely to happen in the studio. Slow and plodding? Only three out of fourteen songs are slow, ONE out of the four the reviewer admits he listened to (but why listen to a whole CD before trashing it?). Music fans are encouraged to seek out the reviews on the All Music Guide and in Living Blues, Blues Revue, Blues & Rhythm, Barnes & Noble et al for better insight.

It's completely unfair to judge this CD by listening to a couple of samples or by comparing it to a live show. This is a studio album and should be judged as such. True it is not quite up to the standard set by Return of a Legend but never the less it has some fine moments and is a worthy follow up. Forget the two negative reviews or take them with a large grain of salt. Every one that I have played this CD for has really enjoyed it, in fact it is one of the more popular CDs that I play on my web radio station. In my opinion its well worth the money!

The legend has not only returned, he's here to stay! This outing has Jody back with his wonderful guitar playing and some great songs - all but one original.

Jody opens with the title track and the first thing you hear is a haunting minor chord that really grabs your attention - reminiscent of something out of a Sergio Leone movie. The lyrics tho' not that original are still interesting, e.g., "My name is Jody and it's always been, but I could've sworn I heard her call me Fred". Yeah - old line, but still good for a chuckle.

Jody also has a couple of buddies along for the ride. Robert Lockwood, Jr. joins Jody on "I Can't Get You Off My Mind" and "I'll Be There", both classic shuffles. Lonnie Brooks chimes in on "She's Got A Spell On Me" (and, being from Louisiana, Lonnie knows all about spells!). He returns with a mournful wail on another duet, "Someone Else".

Additional highlights include "Don't Get Caught In My Bed", a slow blues that just simmers and is as down and dirty as it gets. I really like this song because -- well, never mind, long story. Then there's "Young Men Don't Know". You young guys should listen up here. Jody's got real good advice for you.

The one non-original is "Nothing Can Change This Love", written by Sam Cooke. Sam knew how to write ' em, didn't he? Jody does such a nice job with this song.

I think all you Jody Williams fans are going to like this CD and if you're not a Jody fan, check it out anyway. You just might change your mind.

"Too many cooks..." I've seen this guy live, and he's got a hard-driving, hard-swinging band! Why are they reduced to an after-thought among a bunch of lead-foot supposed "session" players?....Amateur writers are truthful writers; the blues press live in fear of losing advertising dollars; try and find a bad review in a blues magazine: 4 stars is big criticism! Check the credits, there is simply no reason to substitute band members with guys who don't know the material.

I've also heard Jody live and in person and have his first cd. After listening to the 4-samples, I'm saving my money... this is horrible! He is so great live and in person and to listen to this slow, plodding cd... forget it! What a disappointment. He should stay with his live band and forget these deadbeat side players. Go with the bass, drums and guitar. Unto thyself be true. Sorry Jody.