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"JW-Jones, "My Kind
of Evil" on NorthernBlues is another new killer album. Produced
by multi-Grammy nominee Kim Wilson, the CD features JW and his incredible guitar licks, guest vocalist Colin James,
Kim Wilson playing harmonica and singing two tracks, a new horn section, and piano as well. It features seven JW-Jones
originals, four covers, and three songs co-written by JW-Jones and Kim Wilson. The CD swings, hits hard, jumps,
and showcases a variety of blues and R&B styles. If you like the Kim Wilson sound you will love this disc for
sure. According to the NorthernBlues website there's nothing better in the world when a bandleader and a producer
collaborate on a shared vision. And that's what happened with "My
Kind of Evil."
-David Fisk
Back Beat
Oklahoma Blues Society
May-June 2004
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"On the opposite end of the spectrum, Canadian guitarist JW-Jones excels
at the kind of post-Stevie Ray Vaughn blues guitar pyrotechnics that have come to personify modern blues. If Otis
Taylor makes blues as cultural communication, Jones brand of blues is entertainment and diversion. This is not
a criticism. They represent two sides of the same music. Blues is a medium equally suited for communicating your
troubles and dancing them off your mind. "My Kind of Evil," produced by Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, is Jones' best album to
date. With Wilson's encouragement, Jones' playing takes on a new intensity and volume.
The grooves swing with sweaty juke-joint authenticity on songs auch as "Ain't
Gonna Lie", and "Aching
Pain". The best songs here are "What
You Do to Me" and "You
Got Me (Where You Want Me)" with like-minded singer Colin James
on vocals."
-Evansville Courier & Press
June 13, 2004
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"This is Canada's best young blues band. Producer Kim Wilson(Of the Fabulous
Thunderbirds and nominated for a Grammy) turns JW-Jones into a killer blues man. JW-Jones plays a mean guitar,
and with this, his third album for NorthernBlues Music, he has developed into an incredible bandleader. During
the last year JW has played over 165 shows. He has toured Europe, played in Texas, New York and Minnesota and just
returned from Australia. His guitar prowess is turning the heads of people like Kim Wilson, Junior Watson and Rick
Holmstrom. The band are indefatigable party-starters in both their Native Canada and around the world. They latch
onto grooves from across the decades: James Brown funk, the solid thump of house music, mid-1960's boogaloo, Miami
disco, Santana's mambo-rock and even some rapping. The lyrics are mostly blatant come-on's, blurring the line between
smooth and sultry."
-The John Shelton Ivany Top 21 #186
July 13-20, 2004
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"Jones' baby blue Strat playing however is never in question, jumping
up a notch and nearly reaching the upper echelon of Jump Blues players like Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, and
early Rick Holmstrom."
-Beardo
Senior Contributing Editor
Blues Wax E-zine
June 9, 2004
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"Maybe it's the near-artic temperatures from his hometown of Ottawa,
Canada that gives singer / guitarist JW-Jones the blues, but whatever the reason this young energetic 23-year old
has certainly captured the essence of the many different styles of blues music on his third full-length release
My Kind Of Evil."
-Tony Bonyata
Concertlivewire.com
May 12, 2004
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"Recipe for the blues: Take one loud and aggressive, raunchy guitar player,
stir in a rock solid rhythm section, add a dash of special guest players and singers, sprinkle with horns, and
mix well (preferably by a producer like Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds). Let them cook through a selection
of originals and a few well chosen covers. Remove the lid (don't worry if you forget this part. . . they'll prob'ly
blow it right off) and let simmer for a few days. . . just so you get to know it. Serve hot!
My Kind of Evil has been
getting steady play in the car, with the top down and the windows rolled down, as I drive along Highway 6, headin'
towards Caledonia! And that, my friends, is what I want in a blues album! Well done, JW!"
-David Kidney
Green Man Review
June, 2004
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"JW-Jones stretches out a bit on his third album, bringing a horn section
into the mix to fill out the sound, and give it the feel of ‘50s era R&B. But at the same time there's a slightly
ragged feel to everything, and Jones's guitar playing, while bluesy, has as much rock about it as anything else
— it's easy to hear Eric Clapton in his solo on “Ain't Gonna Lie," for example, both in tone and style. He's very good on covers, such as “I Don't Know," but his own songs
— the vast majority of this disc — have plenty of life. Producer Kim Wilson opts for a very full sound, bringing
the guitar to the full front for solos. Jones himself is a slightly better than average singer — but his vocalizing
is eclipsed by his playing, and there are times when he might do better to emphasize his fretwork, which he does
on the Stax-inflected “Nothing On Me."
He works well with bluesman Colin James when the latter takes lead vocals, as on “You've
Got Me," and Wilson gives some great harmonica on “Blue Monday." It's encouraging to
hear Jones expanding his horizons, and he continues to grow as a player with this disc."
-Chris Nickson
All Music Guide
June, 2004
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"Mix a young guitar slinger committed to his art so much that he gets
Kim Wilson to produce his third outing and you get the hottest thing to come out of Canada since quartz heaters.
Simply a blistering guitar outing that knows no bounds and has nothing off limits. Hot and tasty throughout, Muddy
Waters and that ilk should be smiling how the future is in good hands."
-Chris Spector
Midwest Record Recap
Volume 27/Number 13
May 14, 2003
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"Every once and awhile a CD comes around that is great value for money
in a country that hikes up CD’s to a price that indirectly encourages illegal duplicating. Young J. W. has put
in some work since his last CD "Bogart’s Bounce", not that his last was lacking. Mr. Jones’ covering of several Blues styles
is in fact equally as versatile as his fretwork skills, with Chicago, Texan, West Coast & swamp blues given
show-casing. Fellow Canadian Colin James is featured as a vocalist on two tracks and back-up to another, while
Kim Wilson co-wrote three tracks, harp to three tracks, vocals on two and back-up vocals on one. Add to that that
Kim Wilson is so impressed with the lad that he saw fit to produce it too. The harp & guitar on "Cheating Woman" sounds like Little
Walter is playing with either Otis Rush or Jody Williams, "You
Can’t Fool Me" is in a similar groove though without harp. The
guitar on this disc is outstanding – take "Slow Down" you think you are listening to Little Charlie Baty till things slow down to
reveal a B. B. King study. In fact you can play this CD to your Blues guitar mates without telling them who’s playing,
and as the record unfolds names like Funderburgh, Ramos, Watson, Holmstrom, Zinn, Shultz and Zunis will most likely
be said. My last statement is a giveaway at the large chunk of swing styled guitar that is on this album, but it
has balance as all great works are. Saying this is a guitar album may be belittling the overall recording, but
this will be referred to as a killer guitar album…and not just for a few weeks after its release!"
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(NorthernBlues: My Kind of Evil is one of the publisher's picks....along
with Eric Clapton!!!)
"JW-Jones is a young player with his roots in the 1950s. His last CD, Bogart’s
Bounce prompted me to compare his driving sounds to past legends such
as Wynonie Harris. Nothing has changed! Jones and his band still rock "big-time."
"There are no disappointments on My Kind of Evil. Its just good blues!"
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"Maybe it's the near-artic temperatures from his hometown of Ottawa,
Canada that gives singer / guitarist JW-Jones the blues, but whatever the reason this young energetic 23-year old
has certainly captured the essence of the many different styles of blues music on his third full-length release
My Kind Of Evil.
"From the stinging leads and barrelhouse piano on "I Don't
Know" to the B.B. King-inspired guitar licks, jumping horns and
rhythms on "Shake That Mess"
and "Slow Down"
to Jones' warm, although not yet fully realized, vocals, it's apparent that this boy has already paid his dues
at a very young age."
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It's hard to believe Jones is only in his early 20s. Not only has he corralled
Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds to produce and play on the
album, as well as Colin James, but he's also able to lead a full big band through every number with apparent ease.
While both James and Wilson do a
formidable job, Jones is clearly the star of the album, and the excellent Ain't
Gonna Lie and Shake That Mess demonstrate both his blues and rock
sensibilities. The rest swings nicely, with the Wind-Chill Factor horn section adding a nice, full sound to the
album.
"JW-Jones launches My Kind Of Evil
at the Silver Dollar Friday (May 14)." NNN
-Brent Raynor
NOW
MAY 13 - 19, 2004
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"...the new JW Jones’ CD release My Kind of Evilrocks the Blues in a way that makes my heart and feet both pump...A
must hear, a must have CD, and a must see band.."
-Eddy B
Blueheart Archive
May, 2004
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