Jay Gordon

Jay Gordon - Electric Redemption - 1998 - Blue Ace

Texas enjoys a reputation for putting out more top notch contemporary blues and blues-rock guitar players than any other state in the US, and considering the rich history of players coming out of that state, few can argue. One state that may have a legitimate contention for equal rights however is California. While many of the top players from the West Coast may not be as well known, there are quite a number of them non the less. Jay Gordon is among those making a strong case for the capabilities of guitar players from California. As electric blues has migrated into the contemporary music scene, it's been broken down into several sub-categories, including Chicago blues, Texas blues, blues-rock, and what I had considered to be the last frontier and farthest reaching boundries of the blues, Heavy-blues. But Jay's style necessitates a new classification, at least one I haven't considered before. Shred-blues is the best description I can come up with that aptly describes Jay's style of play. Even though I'm a major league fan of seriously guitar oriented blues, I recognize that as the boundaries are moved outward there's the risk that emphasis on speed and technique will undue the passion. However, Jay plays with fiery passion that matches the power and ferocity of his style. Jay's guitar playing talents are amazing to say the least. His picking attack is fast and furious, and he's also very capable on slide guitar. His axe has a piercingly crisp, heavily over-driven tone with tons of sustain and bite. Vocals are on the hard side and a bit harsh at times, but for the most part they're solid and a good match for his style of blues. The band is a minimal three piece arrangement of guitar, bass & drums. © Herm, © ElectricBlues
His fingers blaze across the strings spewing out notes in rapid succession like a AK47. His playing is as much a feat of athleticism as his musicality. Jim Fowler - L A Times

"NOT SINCE HENDRIX HAS A GUITARIST SO INFUSED ROCK AND BLUES WITH THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE" - ROCK CITY NEWS - G - MAN

Electric blues guitarist Jay Gordon recorded a series of albums for Blue Ace that inspired comparisons to such legendary guitarists as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Beginning with Blues Infested (1994), Gordon won much praise from the blues community. Each successive album became increasingly successful — Broadcasting the Blues Live (1996), Electric Redemption (1998), and so on — and the guitarist soon found himself being compared to some of the most legendary guitarists to ever play electric blues. In 2000, Gordon collaborated with Phillip Walker on the Jaywalkin album for Blue Ace, yet another accomplishment for the celebrated guitarist. Furthermore, in addition to his guitar playing, Gordon also produces and sings on many of his own recordings. © 2014 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. https://itunes.apple.com/ie/artist/jay-gordon/id799060

This CD gives listeners a pretty strong overview of the music of Jay Gordon, a guitarist dedicated to the blues whose wide range of intense sounds at times recalls Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The music on this disc is divided into two parts. Drippin' Blues has 11 selections taken from a variety of sources (including a television performance), and is highlighted by "Message to Collins" (dedicated to the late Albert Collins), the swinging instrumental "Jaybird Stomp," the extended "Blacktop Alley," and "47 Beers." The second part, Savage Resurrection, is dedicated to Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane, displaying Gordon's explosive guitar on three intense instrumentals and the title cut. Highly recommended to fans of modern electric blues. © Scott Yanow ©2014 AllMusic, a division of All Media Network, LLC. | All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/electric-redemption-mw0000668639

Jay Gordon the legendary rock blues guitar virtuoso and vocalist has shown time and time again that there are no boundaries within rock and blues music. “Electric Redemption” is captivating and penetrating, full of tasteful and inventive guitar solos as well as some savage shredding and soulful vocals. Jay has become famous for his often inspired scorching guitar solos, and his love of, and dedication to the blues. Although he is strongly influenced by artists like SRV, Hendrix, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy, his sound is unique and distinctive. Jay admires the blues guitar greats of the past but he has also been a leading light in bringing the blues into the 21st century. This guy is the real deal. He composed all fifteen tracks on this album which is absolutely fantastic and VHR by A.O.O.F.C. Listen to Jay’s great “Jaywalkin” album and keep the blues alive [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 155.2 Mb]

TRACKS

1. Message To Collins (4:29)
2. Drippin 'Blues (4:41)
3. Lucky Thirteen (3:40)
4. Stretchneck Lill (5:57)
5. Jaybird Stomp (4:05)
6. El Diablos Blues (3:43)
7. Upside The Head (3:21)
8. Blacktop Alley (8:23)
9. Farmdog (2:57)
10. Tears (3:52)
11. 47 Beers (1:50)
12. Drivin 'Force (2:35)
13. Savage Resurrection (5:21)
14. Blues For The Eternal Angel (3:49)
15. Electric Redemption (4:42)

All tracks composed by Jay Gordon

MUSICIANS

Jay Gordon - Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Acoustic Slide Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Russ Greene - Bass Guitar
Rich Lambert - Drums
Butch Azevedo - Drums on Track 8

ABOUT JAY GORDON

It is sometimes said by those who do not follow the scene very closely that the evolution of the blues is near its end, with the last blues innovator being the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. It can sometimes seem that way since a countless number of so-called blues bands grind out the same unimaginative repertoire (how many more versions do we need of “Stormy Monday?”), ideas and frameworks in predictable fashion night after night. Jay Gordon stands far apart from the crowd. There is nothing predictable about his music and his playing does not sound like anyone else’s. He is inspired by such masters as John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy but has his own distinctive style, extending and pushing the blues tradition ahead. He infuses the blues with the sound, power and fire of rock and creates consistently fresh ideas. “The blues is about the struggles of life,” says Gordon. “It is filled with emotions, both good and bad. The blues make you feel happy and to me the blues is life.” Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Gordon grew up in Chicago, the center of the blues world. He began playing guitar when he was nine and within three years was performing in bars. “When I was a teenager in Chicago, I was lucky enough to be around Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Luther Allison, Hound Dog Taylor and so many others. They planted the seed inside of me to always want to play the blues.” Since moving to Los Angeles in 1985, Gordon has recorded nine CDs, toured the world and gained a worldwide reputation, being particularly well known in Europe. He was one of 50 guitarists picked by Eric Clapton (who was very impressed after hearing one of his CDs) to perform at the Crossroads Guitar Festival, sharing the bill with such greats as Santana, Jeff Beck, B.B. King and Buddy Guy. © Scott Yanow http://www.jaygordonandthepenetrators.com/Blues%20Page.htm