The release of
The Complete Recordings from Robert Johnson a few years ago
seemed to rekindle interest not only in Johnson’s music, but in
old-fashioned Delta blues as well. Even so, I hadn’t heard much of
it recently – that is, until I got my hands on
Front Porch Blues from John Jackson, a disc that could well
be the best traditional blues album I have ever heard.
Jackson, a veteran of the blues world, reminds me a lot of
Johnson. His fantastic guitar work often sounds like it’s more than
one guitar plucking the gentle melodies of his songs, while his
voice – admittedly something that takes a little getting used to –
spins the tales of generations past while making the sound fresh
for the new millenium. In short, it’s the perfect mix.
Jackson dips into the rich legacy of the music he grew up with,
playing such traditional favorites as “C.C. Rider” (forget every
single rock version you’ve heard of this song, and listen to the
song performed the right way) and “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”, as
well as one or two great gospel-tinged blues numbers like “When He
Calls Me” and “The Devil He Wore A Hickory Shoe”. I swear, more
performances like this, and I’ll end up listening to a lot more
gospel music in the future.
Jackson proves that his skills as a songwriter are nothing to be
taken lightly. The wonderful instrumental “Fairfax Station Rag”
sounds like something that might have been written at the turn of
the century, during the popularity of ragtime. Jackson makes his
guitar come alive on this all-too-brief song, making me wish not
only that he had expanded this particular track, but also that he
had done more songs in this vein on
Front Porch Blues. After hearing other wonders like
“Chesterfield” and “Rappahannock Blues,” I honestly wish that
Jackson had included more originals on this disc.
Truth be told, there is not a single bad moment on
Front Porch Blues. It’s an interesting change from the
full-band blues I’ve been listening to for so many years, and
brings back memories of such artists as Leadbelly and Johnson, who
relied only on their voices and talents to create the mood. This
album leaves no doubt that Jackson is a master at his craft.
Front Porch Blues could well be the best album I will listen
to all year, and is easily one of the best – if not the best –
blues album I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. If Jackson
isn’t revered as a living blues legend, he will be very soon.
