The Scottish Blues Compilation Series: Jock's Juke Joint (Page 3 of 3)

Hi Lizzy,
Yeah - do check out Lewis Hamilton; super player and only 19. Caught him 4 times now and always impresses.

Thing about the JJJ compilations; I can't find one track I skip over when playing the discs - how many compilations can you say the same of? And a 3rd Volume to come....must be something good in the water (whiskey?).

I'm sure you mean whisky, Mike. You don't want upset the Jocks amongst us.

Speaking of which, the first song on Jock's Juke Joint Vol 3 is called Whisky Boogie. You can hear it, and several of the other songs on this podcast: (not the full album yet though): http://www.blackonblues.com/

well in usa its whiskey sorry banshee xxx

Truth be known - I'm actually more partial to Irish........

(6)

Congratulations on that Duncan; some very worthy company there, and for a “cottage-industry” effort all the more creditable.

We have a ladies night at the Counting House Edinburgh tonight - 6 female fronted acts for £5 from 7pm.

Here's a review of volume 3 just in:

"Of the 2 previous releases I wrote, "Jock's Juke Joint "Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol. 1 & 2" was hands down, the best 2 compilation CD's I have ever heard... It is all here folks and believe me, once you give Vol. 1 & 2 a listen, you will be anxiously waiting for Vol. 3, as I certainly am". Well folks Vol. 3 is now out and I could not be more happier to have the complete trilogy of this amazing collection of Contemporary Blues From Scotland.

As with the 2nd CD, "Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol 3" also contains 18 great Tracks, featuring not only artists that are currently based in Scotland, but also a few that have emanated from Scotland and are now based elsewhere, which included Chicago based, Brian Carpy, New York based Calum Ingram, and Robbie Hill, now based in Finland.

In the tradition of Jock's Juke Joint "Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol. 1 & 2", Vol. 3, also contained a fabulous booklet outlining a little bit of history about all the bands and artists on this release.

Jock's Juke Joint "Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol 3", as with the previous releases, also brings us a wonderful musically varied experience, with a fantastic amount of styles, all presented to us in a wonderfully logical manner, which starts the ball rolling with "Whisky Boogie", a song off of the upcoming 3rd album by family based power trio band, Lewis Hamilton. Formed in 2010, Lewis Hamilton have been become one of the fastest rising bands on the UK circuit, recently winning "Best Blues Recording" at the 2012 Scottish New Music Awards, for their previous release, "Gambling Machine". Lewis Hamilton, the Singer and Guitarist in the Band, also produced the 3 CD Compilation via Lewis Hamilton Music.

Those of you whom like your Blues with a Rock edge will certainly enjoy "Coming Alive" by Safehouse, "Don't Put Me Down" by Leona Rae, and "Electric Karma Blues" by The Afghan Hounds, which was my favorite Blues Rockin' tune on "Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol 3".

Acoustic Blues lovers will enjoy the solo acoustic set by Lights Out By Nine singer Al Hughes called "Giving The Blues A Try". The music of Al Hughes conjures up a lot of moods for which gentle and wistful was the presentation for this little gem.

Another great acoustic solo set, on this compilation, was John Hunt singing "She's Smart". Taking the tradition of Blues artist to the max, John Hunt even builds his own Guitars. "She's Smart", comes across in the style of Hill Country Blues. A really nice tune, for which the audience gives a good clap at the end of this live song.

Another one of my favorite Tracks, on "Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol 3", was "Sweet Saville", by the Red Pine Timber Company. Red Pine Timber Company music is described as "American Country with a strong Celtic influence". A really nice song for which Mandolin and Harmonizing took center stage.

"Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol 3" closes this brilliant collection of songs with another favorite of mine called "Through With Me" by Harmonica Lewinsky. Celebrating 10 years together in 2013, this four piece band play a great mixture of Blues and R&B and combine their sets with "well loved standards and cleverly written originals". Solid singing, Solid Harmonica, Solid Bass & Drums, topped off with Solid Searing Guitar, dominate this great closer.

Those that have already had the good fortune to listen to Jock's Juke Joint "Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol 3" and the previous 2 releases, will no doubt be left with the feeling that this amazing trilogy of music was nothing less than a true labor of love.

As with Jock's Juke Joint "Contemporary Blues From Scotland Vol. 1 & 2", Vol. 3 also gets my highest rating of 5*****, as it is at the very least equal to and may just be better than the 2 previous releases. What a absolutely great collection of CD's for any lover of Contemporary Blues and Beyond".

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/

Available on Amazon and shortly itunes too!

Well, got my copy of JJJ3-D   last night, and the short of it is, Duncan, Lewis & Nick et al are batting 3 of 3; it’s another winner. There’s a seemingly bottomless reservoir of quality bands in Scotland, the depth and range only matched by the diversity displayed here.

Kicking off with a new song from Lewis Hamilton, very much with that raw slide and spirit of Rory Gallagher without slavish imitation; then things get pumped up by Safehouse, with a Humble Pie style vibe. Changing styles, Blues Devils lay down some old-school jump blues before a goose bump-on-goose bump moment from Linda Jaxson; like being dumped at 2am on a wet night in the backstreets of Glasgow.

Then The Stumble pick it up as only they can, with a Dr.Feelgood type before a gem of an acoustic number from Al Hughes and a driving number from Leona Rae and the contrasting, restraint of GT’s Boos Band and the rock-a-billy doo-wop of Shiverin’ Sheiks.

Calum Ingram’s cello, yes cello led track doesn’t so much push the envelope as kick it right in the gusset; don’t think of it as Julian Lloyd Webber, more Martin McCarrick in The Banshees or Therapy? Back on more familiar ground, Main Street Blues swings along before the hell-on-8 legs that is The Afghan Hounds threaten to blow your speakers. Robbie Hill’s smooth vocals over the bell-like tone of his guitar give way to a more 50s Les Paul vibe of ex-pat Brian Carpy.

Souled Out Blues surprisingly have a more “country” than “soul” feel but its delivered with a grass-roots integrity that so many only dream of. Keeping it rustic and rootsy, back to an acoustic take from John Hunt - so rustic he builds his own guitars, often from unlikely sources. This last lap takes us to Red Pine Timber Company, the missing link between Blues Grass and Celtic folk and finally, more traditional, but certainly not trite, Harmonica Lewinsky bring this excursion into undiscovered Scottish Blues to a rousing close.

Pick a favourite, well, I could single out 2 or 3, but odds are tomorrow they’d be entirely different. Since the series of CDs started, some of the bands have looked south of the border, and have made inroads, but I can say this, if I were north of the border, whether in Aberfeldy or Upper Largo, and one of these bands were playing - I’d be hangin’ round.

This compilation is dedicated to the memories of the recently lost Laurie Hamilton and (Big) George Ross Watt. They must be resting easy knowing that not only is their legacy for great music being continued, but that bands are pushing the boundaries and exploring new avenues of expression.