DIVERSIONS|music
by Lance Lomax
Shadowing the Blues COURTESY EDWARD ANTOINE
The Bailey Brothers clearly honed their musical skills to learn the nuances of each genre they explored. The first two tracks, “80 on 55” and “Shadow Blues,” mirror the Hill Country sound in the particular tuning of the guitars and the almost tribal rhythms of Brad Carter on drums. The album then makes a down-tempo transition in “Devil and the Deal,” where a steady drumbeat accompanies melodic guitar leads, a noticeable shift from the crunchy distortion of the previous two tracks. And the lyrics, like most memorable blues songs, are simple and catchy: “Devil got my woman / said he won’t give her back / ain’t nothin’ but causin’ problems / you know the
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ith the holidays coming at us like a freight train, I’m reflecting on all the things I’m thankful for in 2010. Besides my awesome unit of family and friends, I’m thankful for the intriguing people I’ve met this year at different gigs in the state, on Facebook or hosting Singers/ Songwriters Night at Hal and Mal’s. A year ago at Thanksgiving, Clinton Kirby and I had our first practice together as a duo. Since then I’ve had the chance to sing with him and Buffalo Nickel bandmate Steve Deaton, as well as perform with them at Ole Tavern two weeks ago. (It was epic. Thanks, guys!) I’ve taken poor Clinton on a begrudgingly long field trip of my old haunts and stomping grounds in southwest Mississippi to play at different venues, and he’s never complained. I’m so thankful I’m having the chance
Thank You
to sing with such a fabulous musician whose family has pretty much become my extended one. Last but not least, I’m thankful for the opportunity to work for the Jackson Free Press and for the grand opportunity to represent the music scene here in the city I call home. Thank you, Jackson, for being patient with me as I’m still learning the ropes of being a music journalist, your understanding when I was booked up already at Singers/Songwriters Night, for letting me perform for you, and for trying to make our city’s music scene a force to reckon with. Wednesday night, Nov. 24, Mississippi’s own Eddie Cotton performs at Underground 119, and The Quills and Josh Hailey’s Tom Petty Tribute show takes over Hal & Mal’s Red Room. For those of you who missed the show in September, it was electrifying and fun as all get out. Go. On Turkey Day, I hope you enjoy the holidays with your family, but please make
by Natalie Long
Delta,” sung by Jason Bailey, as he puts a slide to the neck of his dobro. The song progressively increases in dynamics as Mathus plays tremolo chords on his mandolin and howls backup vocals with Brock Bailey. The brothers are Cleveland, Miss., natives, and the lyrics are the perfect complement to the dobro: “Well a hundred miles of travel / you know I don’t mind / when I get myself to the Delta / I’ll be feelin’ mighty fine.” The album is dedicated to Jason and Brock’s deceased brother, Chris Gianini, who died of cancer in 2004. “He was a musician. He knew everything about the sound,” Jason Bailey remembers. “He was a guitar player before any of us was.” “How to Write the Wrong” was released in October 2010 and is available for $10 on iTunes and amazon.com.
room for musical dessert when Jason Turner plays at Fenian’s. And check out Jason’s most recent CD, “11 Years.” I’ve heard the demos, and that has blown me away. Friday night, Nov. 26, one of my favorite bands and some of nicest guys you’ll ever meet, Fearless Four, help you dance away the previous day’s holiday feast at Underground 119. Akami & The Key of G hit up Freelon’s; Martin’s entertains the masses with Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory; Hal & Mal’s hosts the fun-loving garage rockers M.O.T.O., Los Buddies, and Fast Boyfriends; and Poets II has Chasing Scarlett playing all your favorites. If you’re out of town for the holidays, Memphis hosts Mississippi homemade musicians, the North Mississippi All-Stars, at Minglewood Hall (1555 Madison Ave., Memphis) Friday, too. Continue catching up with family and friends Saturday night with Pat Brown & The Millenium at F. Jones Corner. Dent May performs at Sneaky Beans, Scott Al-
COURTESY AKAMI GRAHAM
Natalie’s Notes
devil and my woman won’t cut me no slack.” The Bailey Brothers take listeners to Texas in their next song, “Meet Me,” a fast blues shuffle with smoking guitar leads over a steady bass-guitar groove. Fans of artists like Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Stevie Ray Vaughn will appreciate the tempo and rhythm. Both “Meet Me” and the next track, “My Baby,” show the Bailey Brothers’ affinity for Texas and Chicago blues and of their experiences with failed relationships. The lyrics at the very end of “My Baby” epitomize the essence of the blues: “My baby drank all my whiskey / now my ass is all alone.” My personal favorite instrument as a fan of the blues, the slide guitar, seems to be noticeably absent from the album, although a little bit of electric slide can be heard on “My Baby.” But fans of the slide get their own song at the very end of the album on “Back to the
Akami Graham & The Key of G light up the night with their melodies at Freelon’s, Friday, Nov. 26.
bert Johnson blows it on the harmonica at Underground 119, and Zoogma takes the stage at Martin’s. Check them out beforehand at www.zoogma.net. And back up Memphis way, Steve Earle’s son Justin Townes Earle plays Tuesday, Nov. 30 at the Hi-Tone Café (1913 Poplar Ave., Memphis). Don’t forget to help me help you by posting your gigs. Send info to music@ jacksonfreepress.com. Peace, love and all the above to you and your family this Thanksgiving.
FROM OUR ROASTERY, TO YOUR CUP. voted best coffeeshop in jackson 2003-2010
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hen put under the microscope of the most discerning blues aficionado, the Bailey Brothers’ debut studio album “How to Write the Wrong” delivers the whole package in every aspect. In nine tracks, Brock and Jason Bailey, accompanied by acclaimed contemporary bluesman Jimbo Mathus on bass, mandolin and backup vocals, takes listeners on a musical tour from the juke joints and dirt roads of the Mississippi Delta, to the shuffle and swing of Chicago blues, the gritty guitar leads known throughout Texas and Louisiana blues, to the rolling hills of North Mississippi.
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