Jay Lang
Blues Vol 1
Self Released
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © Oct 2024
Although he now resides in Wisconsin, the fact that Jay Lang grew up in the Mississippi Delta will be quite evident in his music – the music he learned from playing with members of the Burnside Family. Delta and Piedmont style acoustic blues is what Jay excels in – either as a solo artist, a duo, or as a band – all of which will be featured on his latest release titled Blues Vol 1.
For the project, Jay Lang, on vocals, guitar and bass, is joined by: Paul Taylor and Brad Porter on drums; Harold Tremblay on harmonica; Bob Dowell on trombone; Eric Carlton on piano; and Nate Robinson on bass. Of the disc’s eleven tracks, ten are Jay Lang originals.
It doesn’t take more than the opening seconds of the opening track to validate what I said about Jay excelling in Delta and Piedmont style acoustic blues. The track is titled “Sweet Honey” and to make things clear, that’s the term Jay uses to refer to her, not necessarily to describe her. This solo effort features Jay doing some killer pickin’ on both the acoustic guitar and bass, and showcasing a voice that was custom made for the blues.
On a fast-paced track titled “No Name”, Jay is joined by Paul Taylor on drums. Lyrically, Jay sings about going back to Mississippi to sing away his blues and the antics that take place when he gets there. Instrumentally, the guys are laying down the perfect traveling music for making the trip.
This is one of those songs with such clever and interesting lyrics that I wish I could type them out word for word. Here’s a small sample…
“Gonna tell you about old ‘Hopalong Tracy’,
only got one leg but she’s every bit a lady;
Don’t see too well one eye is hazy,
don’t look too close the other one is lazy;
Hopalong Tracy she don’t care,
head held high and debonair.”
And that’s just the first of four verses. From his masterful story telling style to his flawless pickin’, everything about this track is perfectly done.
How do you write about a song that is so interesting, but you just can’t quite figure out what to say because you’re lost? Simple, you just ask the songwriter. That said, after a detailed explanation from Jay, I now fully understand who he is and why “Bootsy’s Walking In the Rain”. The song is a true story of a well-dressed, always drunk, street character called Bootsy. Day-in, day-out, hot, cold, rain or shine, Bootsy – who also happens to be a few cards short of a full deck – would hang out in front of a beer barn trying to hustle free drinks. Since Jay worked there, he had this explanation: “After a couple years of him coming around we think we pieced together a reasonable background for the guy. We figured he had some sort of mental health issue, he slept at a family member’s house, but they wouldn’t let him stay in their place alone. So, when the family member went to work, they locked Bootsy out of the house all day”. Now that I’ve totally bored you, let me just say you gotta give this one a good listen. The laid-back music vibe, with excellent harmonica leads by Harold, is the perfect backdrop for another fabulous storytelling performance from Jay.
“Pine Box” just might be my favorite track on the disc. It features Jay’s usual fine pickin’ and singin’; a toe tappin’, head bobbin’ rhythm from Brad on a snare drum; and good ol’ barrelhouse piano playin’ from Eric. It’s the kind of sound you just might hear, walking by some obscure joint somewhere in the French Quarter, that stops you in your tracks and brings you right in. The song is about the inevitability of death and being comfortable with the thought. As Jay sees it, “When I die, bury me in an old pine box. I don’t need nothing fancy, just fill my grave with rocks”. That comfort may come from another song on the disc titled “I’ve Been Saved”. It’s another of Jay’s masterful solo performances where he confidently and spiritually addresses knowing he’ll be saved when Jesus visits him on his dying bed.
As the saying goes, it’s always good to have something to fall back on. Should his music career hit a glitch, Jay can always get into sales. From his description of its ingredients, one of which is forty proof; to its healing characteristics, for man or beast; to its many other uses, which includes shining your shoes; to his high pressure closing points of supplies being limited, so you must act fast; I found myself wanting to take advantage of that buy one get one free offer for his “Snake Oil”. They just don’t make products like that anymore, right Jay? Being one who can relate, this song did remind me of my days of pimping rug and upholstery cleaner to crowds of sucke… I mean needy customers at home shows. Musically, with Brad (drums) and Nate (bass) joining in, the track does provide Jay with a forceful rhythm that’s just right to sell, sell, sell to.
Other tracks on Blues Vol 1 include: “Short Skirt”; “My Sweet Mama”; “Shake it, Break It” (Charley Patton); and “Too Much”.
Should like to find out more about Jay just go to – www.jaylangmusic.com. Remember, when you contact him, please tell Jay his new friend the Blewzzman sent you and that I’m hoping there will be a Blues Vol 2.
“The Blues Is My Passion And Therapy”
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award Recipient
