Midnight Circus Records artist: JP Blues - Live At Darwins - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Live At Darwins, from JP Blues and it's a cool heavy blues rocker. Opening with Keep On Walking, JP sets a solid base with a steady blues form. This track reminds me a lot of Robin Trower with Shiloh Bloodworth on drums, Tony Hossri on bass and JP on vocal and guitars. He has a gritty guitar style and a gutsy voice. On Upset Me Baby, a cool boogie, Hossri sets up a great walking bass line and JP cuts loose with some voracious guitar riffs. Old Man Joe has a heavy driving beat with the hammer of Mahogany Rush. A nice rock groove ensues and the gang really hits it hard. JP on slide chokes the neck all the way to the top and Bloodworth and Hossri are solid. Meet Me Halfway has a light funky groove with nice drum work from Bloodworth. JP takes a nice opportunity to solo off and he rips a number of good ones. This really is quite a concert. American Boy takes a total departure in direction with a jazz overtone. An instrumental track with cool chording and even a hot bass solo from Hossri, no one has any doubts about the bands versatility after this track. Very nice. Reggae rhythms underlie Day By Day, a simple pop melody with strong bones. Building upon this concept the band lays out an extended jam led by JP on vocals. 99 Problems is a 7 minute plus blues based rocker with a strong sense of direction along the lines of early Mountain. Another Time Another Place is a quiet ballad based track with a really nice melody. With a perfect stage set, JP takes it to the house on this 8+ minute track. This is really an excellent jam and a must hear! Wrapping the concert and the release is Sonny Boy Williamson's Good Morning Little School Girl, but with a modern blues twist. My first recollection of this track was Ten Years After's amazing version and I'm happy to say that this track, with a more Frank Marino feel, is a lot of fun to listen to for the more than 9 minute stretch. Joined by Truett Lollis on guitar, this is a real nice blues rock jam with exceptional fluid runs. This is a really cool live release and a great example of the passion of JP Blues.

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