John Jackson - John Jackson, Vol. 2

All Music Guide

This is a country blues artist who, while retaining all the personality and intensity of others in the genre, also displays more than the usual amount of versatility. He can play a deep blues with as much power as John Lee Hooker, but then will turn around and come up with a old-time banjo instrumental with roots in both white and black music. He flatpicks and fingerpicks with the guitar in traditional position; he also turns the guitar over on his lap and plays it dobro style with a knife, definitely a hardcore old-timey blues move. The recordings made by Jackson in his prime tend to be done like this one, on portable equipment. The listener will get the impression that all one has to do is sit Jackson down, get the instrument cases open, and turn on the recorder and masterpieces will start popping out, and that isn't far from the truth. Some of the best stuff here includes the Blind Blake cover, "Police Dog Blues," and the touching "Death of Blind Boy Fuller." - Eugene Chadbourne, Al...l Music Guide Read more Less