Front Porch Blues is an album by the American musician John Jackson, released in 1999.[1][2] It was Jackson's first studio album of new recordings in 16 years.[3] He supported it with a North American tour.[4]Front Porch Blues was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for "Comeback Blues Album".[5] Jackson referred to his music as "mountain hoedown".[6]
The album was produced by Joe Wilson.[7] Jackson recorded it while working as a part-time gravedigger.[8] He used a resonator guitar, and believed that the blues was best expressed with just a voice and guitar.[9] "Rappahannock Blues" is an instrumental, named for the Virginia county of Jackson's birth.[10][11] "West Texas Blues" is a version of the blues standard, modeled after Jimmie Rodgers's interpretation.[12] "Chesterfield" is a salute to Chesterfield cigarettes, inspired by Buddy Moss's similar song.[13] "Have It Your Own Way" features a vocal by Jackson's son, James.[14] "The Devil He Wore a Hickory Shoe" is an interpretation of a gospel song beloved by Jackson's mother.[15] "Death Don't Have No Mercy" was written by Reverend Gary Davis.[16]
The Gazette noted that Jackson's "music is informed not only by the blues, but also by the country, ragtime and early jazz records he heard growing up".[12]Billboard called the album "a sweet recital drawn from the musician's apparently vast repertoire of country blues."[7]The Washington Post said that "Jackson has pared away all the unnecessary notes to reveal the essential dialogue between his gravelly baritone voice and his sparkling, skeletal guitar lines."[3] The Edmonton Journal stated that Jackson's "voice is a warm but flexible instrument that is equally comfortable performing story songs, relating dramatic gospel inspired tunes or conveying raw emotions."[18] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised the "delicate lines and finger-picked versions of ... traditional tunes".[17]The Times deemed Front Porch Blues "the best acoustic blues of the year".[19]
^Ellis, Bill (January 15, 2000). "Walker Tops Nominees for Coveted W. C. Handy Blues Honors". The Commercial Appeal. p. F1.
^Berrier Jr., Ralph (February 20, 2001). "From the Wilderness Comes Greatness". Extra. The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
^ abMorris, Chris (June 19, 1999). "A Pair of Jacksons". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 25. p. 59.
^Harrington, Richard (January 22, 2002). "The Great Guitar of John Jackson: Legendary Virginia Bluesman Never Lost Down-Home Warmth". The Washington Post. p. C1.
^Johnson, Jeff (February 4, 2000). "Blues legend master of solo act". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 8.
^McDonald, Sam (May 14, 1999). "Blues Deluxe". Daily Press. Newport News. p. D6.
^Lien, James (June 14, 1999). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 58, no. 622. p. 29.
^ abcRegenstreif, Mike (June 17, 1999). "Blues". The Gazette. Montreal. p. C15.
^Dallas, Karl (January 24, 2002). "John Jackson". Obituaries. The Independent. p. 6.
^Henry, Tom (June 27, 1999). "'Front Porch Blues' John Jackson". The Blade. Toledo. p. G2.
^Kell, Ellis (July 4, 1999). "Fresh front porch blues". Life. The Dispatch–Argus.
^ abThe Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 304.
^ abWhite, Jim (October 31, 1999). "The Best of a New Batch of Blues Albums". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. G4.
^North, Peter (September 4, 1999). "Ridin' with Bob & sharing the blues on John's front porch". Edmonton Journal. p. C3.
^Clarke, John (December 11, 1999). "Blues choice". The Times. p. Metro 11.
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