Blind Dead McJones Band up for British Blues Award
The Blind Dead McJones Band released their debut album “Last Resort Mexico” last September and it has been highly praised far and wide. So much so the album’s opening track “Blind Dead McJones” has been nominated for a British Blues Award! It has been nominated for the “Kevin Thorpe Award for Original British Blues Song” and after the initial round of voting the song has made it to the final stage!
“To say that The Blind Dead McJones Band are not your average or ordinary band would be an extreme understatement” Paul Abraham of Leeds Music Promotions once wrote. Not many bands are recruited by a mysterious Blues Legend who educates them in his ways, turns them into the best backing band he could afford, books a load of gigs then disappears leaving them to fend for themselves. This is exactly what happened to this Leeds trio, and since 2008 they have been writing songs and performing regularly, mainly without their mentor Blind Dead McJones. His last known sighting with the band was at a 360 club gig in 2010 although it would appear he still keeps a keen eye on the bands activities.
The Blind Dead McJones Band recently revealed a letter they received that read:
“Dear boys, I hear y’all up for the British Blues Award for that song you do bout me. Just wanted say good luck ya hear. Bout time my name was on a blues award so you best win it now. Lots of love n blues, McJones, xx”
“Last Resort Mexico” contains 11 original tracks and although McJones didn’t perform on the album himself the band insist his spirit is all over it. Guitarist and acting front man Ben “Buddy” Slack said
“McJones is all over this album, although we wrote the songs pen to paper, they’re mostly inspired by stories to do with McJones, phrases he uses that kind of thing. Musically as well most of the chords I use he taught me, as well as most of the notes in the guitar solos”
The 2013 British Blues Awards are being held at The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne on the 25th August. The voting opens on May 8th and runs until June 30th at http://www.britishbluesawards.com
The nominated song and more info can be found about The Blind Dead McJones Band @ http://www.blinddeadmcjonesband.com
“To say that The Blind Dead McJones Band are not your average or ordinary band would be an extreme understatement” Paul Abraham of Leeds Music Promotions once wrote. Not many bands are recruited by a mysterious Blues Legend who educates them in his ways, turns them into the best backing band he could afford, books a load of gigs then disappears leaving them to fend for themselves. This is exactly what happened to this Leeds trio, and since 2008 they have been writing songs and performing regularly, mainly without their mentor Blind Dead McJones. His last known sighting with the band was at a 360 club gig in 2010 although it would appear he still keeps a keen eye on the bands activities.
The Blind Dead McJones Band recently revealed a letter they received that read:
“Dear boys, I hear y’all up for the British Blues Award for that song you do bout me. Just wanted say good luck ya hear. Bout time my name was on a blues award so you best win it now. Lots of love n blues, McJones, xx”
“Last Resort Mexico” contains 11 original tracks and although McJones didn’t perform on the album himself the band insist his spirit is all over it. Guitarist and acting front man Ben “Buddy” Slack said
“McJones is all over this album, although we wrote the songs pen to paper, they’re mostly inspired by stories to do with McJones, phrases he uses that kind of thing. Musically as well most of the chords I use he taught me, as well as most of the notes in the guitar solos”
The 2013 British Blues Awards are being held at The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne on the 25th August. The voting opens on May 8th and runs until June 30th at http://www.britishbluesawards.com
The nominated song and more info can be found about The Blind Dead McJones Band @ http://www.blinddeadmcjonesband.com
The Blind Dead McJones Band - Last Resort Mexico
We featured The Blind Dead McJones Band a while back, not long after setting up the site, and loved what we heard. As such, when the guys dropped us a line letting us know about their latest album Last Resort Mexico, and asking whether we wanted a copy, my answer was of course a resounding yes please. Once it arrived I sat back and hit play to see what was in store for me…so to the music!
Opening the record with Blind Dead Mc Jones things get off to a rather off piste start, ushering in the start of the album with a combo of drums and spoken vocals, the mix immediately grabbing your attention and luring you into listen harder. Soon picking up the bluesy rhythms we’re tossed into a blues fuelled melee of guitar work, roving bass and pounding drums, all backed up by the gravelly vocals which continue to abound on top of the mix. The feeling here is one of dirty rock, the sort of sound which makes you want to move, drink beer and love every second of what you’re hearing. Hang On There Boys continues this theme of dirty rock, this time launching us head first into a faster mix of raucous guitar lines and filthy bass rhythms, once again offering up a sound which is sure to get you moving. This is one of my personal favourite tracks off of the album, the sort of thing I want to get out to see on the live scene as it’s got that feeling of being a hell of a lot of fun to see performed, definitely one you need to make sure you check out.
B3D slows things down as it comes into being, somehow transforming the sound musically into one of a past time, almost sounding like something out of the psychedelic period of the 60’s and 70’s, yet managing to add in the bands updated and unique approach to things to keep you aware of who you’re listening to. The lyrics are the key to this track, telling the story of trading a useless soul with the devil, somehow managing to form into a sound which will keep you listening throughout, a sound which hooks you in and doesn’t let you go until the moment the track comes to a close. Following on with Try Some Wrong the theme once again returns to the solid blues orientated riffs of earlier in the tracks, this time launching into a soaring blues lead guitar line backed by a roving bass rhythm, the sort of thing that’s once again going to get you moving, make you want to tap a foot, and evokes images of a dark bar filled with cigarette smoke. Another high point on the album for sure, this is a track which seems to represent the sound of The Blind Dead McJones Band, that original sounding blues but with an updated feel, the sort of thing which will hook new fans in but appeal to older fans of proper blues stuff at the same time.
Rumbleland once again shifts the sound of the record, this time moving more towards the off piste style stuff again, opening with rolling drums, rumbling bass rhythms and more of those spoken words. It’s striking that the guys manage to create such a level of sound with only three of them in the band, showing just what they’re capable of and how accomplished their sound really is. Real Cool Time, BOOBZ (hey…..any track called BOOBZ has to be a good track doesn’t it?!) and Haunted all continue to demonstrate just how able a unit we’re dealing with here, but it’s when Elephant On A Lead came about that once again I found myself reaching for the rewind button as it finished. Somehow taking a strange approach to the track and turning it into something accessible and cool to listen to, this is one which sits you back and simply asks you to listen, playing out the bands unique approach and the whole time keeping you engaged. This track is a mix which, on paper, shouldn’t work – yet the result is something far more spectacular, something which allows you to piece it all together, and something which I recommend you check out.
Title track Last Resort Mexico officially finishes the album, closing with a hard hitting and powerful track designed to get you dancing, singing along, and loving every second of what you’re hearing. Powerful rhythms combine with upbeat and bluesy guitar lines to create a sound which is dark yet upbeat, funky yet bluesy, but all out catchy and very cool to hear. This is a track which is built for the live scene, the sort of thing which fans will beg for and the sort of thing which will build the reputation of the band for sure – one you need to check out if you get a chance.
The album also features Wolf Howl, a recording of the Blind Dead McJones and Friends Jam Band as a bonus track on the album. Recorded live and showing off the true prowess of the band, this final track acts as the closing moments of the album, securing that thought that you need to get out to see them live, and showing just what they’re capable of – finishing on a high even if it isn’t just them playing!
I’ve liked The Blind Dead Mc Jones Band since we first featured them all that time ago, and it’s cool to see how they’ve continued to develop their sound since then. From start to finish here you’ve got an album which is funky, dirty and downright good fun, and the sort of thing which renews my faith in live music. Definitely a band I’ll be looking to see in the upcoming months, make sure you get out there and get hold of this album, you won’t be disappointed.
To find out more about the Blind Dead McJones Band, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening the record with Blind Dead Mc Jones things get off to a rather off piste start, ushering in the start of the album with a combo of drums and spoken vocals, the mix immediately grabbing your attention and luring you into listen harder. Soon picking up the bluesy rhythms we’re tossed into a blues fuelled melee of guitar work, roving bass and pounding drums, all backed up by the gravelly vocals which continue to abound on top of the mix. The feeling here is one of dirty rock, the sort of sound which makes you want to move, drink beer and love every second of what you’re hearing. Hang On There Boys continues this theme of dirty rock, this time launching us head first into a faster mix of raucous guitar lines and filthy bass rhythms, once again offering up a sound which is sure to get you moving. This is one of my personal favourite tracks off of the album, the sort of thing I want to get out to see on the live scene as it’s got that feeling of being a hell of a lot of fun to see performed, definitely one you need to make sure you check out.
B3D slows things down as it comes into being, somehow transforming the sound musically into one of a past time, almost sounding like something out of the psychedelic period of the 60’s and 70’s, yet managing to add in the bands updated and unique approach to things to keep you aware of who you’re listening to. The lyrics are the key to this track, telling the story of trading a useless soul with the devil, somehow managing to form into a sound which will keep you listening throughout, a sound which hooks you in and doesn’t let you go until the moment the track comes to a close. Following on with Try Some Wrong the theme once again returns to the solid blues orientated riffs of earlier in the tracks, this time launching into a soaring blues lead guitar line backed by a roving bass rhythm, the sort of thing that’s once again going to get you moving, make you want to tap a foot, and evokes images of a dark bar filled with cigarette smoke. Another high point on the album for sure, this is a track which seems to represent the sound of The Blind Dead McJones Band, that original sounding blues but with an updated feel, the sort of thing which will hook new fans in but appeal to older fans of proper blues stuff at the same time.
Rumbleland once again shifts the sound of the record, this time moving more towards the off piste style stuff again, opening with rolling drums, rumbling bass rhythms and more of those spoken words. It’s striking that the guys manage to create such a level of sound with only three of them in the band, showing just what they’re capable of and how accomplished their sound really is. Real Cool Time, BOOBZ (hey…..any track called BOOBZ has to be a good track doesn’t it?!) and Haunted all continue to demonstrate just how able a unit we’re dealing with here, but it’s when Elephant On A Lead came about that once again I found myself reaching for the rewind button as it finished. Somehow taking a strange approach to the track and turning it into something accessible and cool to listen to, this is one which sits you back and simply asks you to listen, playing out the bands unique approach and the whole time keeping you engaged. This track is a mix which, on paper, shouldn’t work – yet the result is something far more spectacular, something which allows you to piece it all together, and something which I recommend you check out.
Title track Last Resort Mexico officially finishes the album, closing with a hard hitting and powerful track designed to get you dancing, singing along, and loving every second of what you’re hearing. Powerful rhythms combine with upbeat and bluesy guitar lines to create a sound which is dark yet upbeat, funky yet bluesy, but all out catchy and very cool to hear. This is a track which is built for the live scene, the sort of thing which fans will beg for and the sort of thing which will build the reputation of the band for sure – one you need to check out if you get a chance.
The album also features Wolf Howl, a recording of the Blind Dead McJones and Friends Jam Band as a bonus track on the album. Recorded live and showing off the true prowess of the band, this final track acts as the closing moments of the album, securing that thought that you need to get out to see them live, and showing just what they’re capable of – finishing on a high even if it isn’t just them playing!
I’ve liked The Blind Dead Mc Jones Band since we first featured them all that time ago, and it’s cool to see how they’ve continued to develop their sound since then. From start to finish here you’ve got an album which is funky, dirty and downright good fun, and the sort of thing which renews my faith in live music. Definitely a band I’ll be looking to see in the upcoming months, make sure you get out there and get hold of this album, you won’t be disappointed.
To find out more about the Blind Dead McJones Band, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
The Blind Dead McJones Band - Try Some Wrong
Here we have an update from a band which I took a look at way back in October. It seems the guys have been busy in the studios putting together new material and they have kindly sent us a link to their new track ‘Try Some Wrong’. An old fashioned rock n roll opening greets us, the sound of a lone; stinging guitar riff does wonders to snap you out of a bad mood. The punchy, catchy nature to the riff instantly had me tapping my feet and nodding my head in time with the penetrating drum beat accompanying it. As the vocals kick in you find yourself thrust into this blues/rock dilemma. They sound incredible and definitely a step up from the previous material the band have put out. For me the mixture works well and with the addition of the variations in tempo the track has added volume.
To sum it all up, this track is a step up from the previous tracks I reviewed. The time and effort the band has put in is clearly paying off.
To sum it all up, this track is a step up from the previous tracks I reviewed. The time and effort the band has put in is clearly paying off.
The Blind Dead McJones Band
"The blues isn’t dead, it’s just hard to find" that’s the motto this band from Leeds live by, and I’m inclined to agree. Reading through the list of influences that they have, huge household names such as AC/DC and Queens of the Stone Age crop up, which made me wonder, what kind of music a blues band would produce................
Hang On There Boys, the 1st track on the album (besides the intro) starts brightly, the drums and bass supported well by distorted guitars, there’s a real feel of rock music to it, the vocals kick in and straight away you’re back in a New Orleans blues bar. The guitar solos are impressive and you can clearly hear the bass most of the way through the track. The last 30 seconds are very scatty and give it a different kind of dimension, quickly leaving New Orleans!
Second track is called Today Was A Good Day, everything is chilled, slow beats, gentle drumming and placid guitar playing takes you back to that same bar in New Orleans, you could fall asleep to the rhythm of it. The same orchestra of instruments come to life and there’s suddenly a Status Quo edge to the track. I personally liked this track as it shows off the bands ability as musicians who are clearly very talented, the vocals carry the song on and by the end, you find yourself singing along to the chorus.
Tired was my least favourite track on the album, coming in at three, this would have been a perfect track to finish with. Don't get me wrong there isnt anything wrong with the standard of playing or the vocals, these are both top drawer, following suit from the previous two tracks. I'd just expect the story if you like, to gather pace, not slow down. The repetitive tune is catchy at first, however i soon found my mind wandering onto other things. Like i said the music and vocals are crisp i just would have preferred this as a finishing track.
Haunted is the fourth track and really brings the album back to life, the deep bass sets the track up for a frantic barrage of guitar solos and solid drumming. The contrast between the previous track and this one is vast, Tired being very much a blues only track, Haunted incorporates the blues and rock at the same time. The vocals take things to the next level and for me are perfect for this type of music, top stuff!
The fifth track on the album is Good Scratch Boogie opens like a well constructed Beastie Boys track, the pace is carried on from the song before, almost to the point where you’re struggling to catch breath. Everything hurtles along at 100mph, until it slows right down, upholding the blues value that they hold in such high regard. It impresses me how the band can change from rock to blues and then back to rock in the same song, again the vocals provide ample backing for the quality music.
Back to school blues is the finishing track on the album and this would have been my track three, never the less this track is very much the blues and is filled with guitar solos that coincide with many of the other tracks on the album, i found myself sitting back, tapping away, enjoying this mix that the band obviously have a passion for. All in all, thumbs up from me, as in anything, always room for improvement, but if you like rock, and even only a little interest in the blues, this is definately worth listening too.
To find out more about The Blind Dead McJones Band, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Hang On There Boys, the 1st track on the album (besides the intro) starts brightly, the drums and bass supported well by distorted guitars, there’s a real feel of rock music to it, the vocals kick in and straight away you’re back in a New Orleans blues bar. The guitar solos are impressive and you can clearly hear the bass most of the way through the track. The last 30 seconds are very scatty and give it a different kind of dimension, quickly leaving New Orleans!
Second track is called Today Was A Good Day, everything is chilled, slow beats, gentle drumming and placid guitar playing takes you back to that same bar in New Orleans, you could fall asleep to the rhythm of it. The same orchestra of instruments come to life and there’s suddenly a Status Quo edge to the track. I personally liked this track as it shows off the bands ability as musicians who are clearly very talented, the vocals carry the song on and by the end, you find yourself singing along to the chorus.
Tired was my least favourite track on the album, coming in at three, this would have been a perfect track to finish with. Don't get me wrong there isnt anything wrong with the standard of playing or the vocals, these are both top drawer, following suit from the previous two tracks. I'd just expect the story if you like, to gather pace, not slow down. The repetitive tune is catchy at first, however i soon found my mind wandering onto other things. Like i said the music and vocals are crisp i just would have preferred this as a finishing track.
Haunted is the fourth track and really brings the album back to life, the deep bass sets the track up for a frantic barrage of guitar solos and solid drumming. The contrast between the previous track and this one is vast, Tired being very much a blues only track, Haunted incorporates the blues and rock at the same time. The vocals take things to the next level and for me are perfect for this type of music, top stuff!
The fifth track on the album is Good Scratch Boogie opens like a well constructed Beastie Boys track, the pace is carried on from the song before, almost to the point where you’re struggling to catch breath. Everything hurtles along at 100mph, until it slows right down, upholding the blues value that they hold in such high regard. It impresses me how the band can change from rock to blues and then back to rock in the same song, again the vocals provide ample backing for the quality music.
Back to school blues is the finishing track on the album and this would have been my track three, never the less this track is very much the blues and is filled with guitar solos that coincide with many of the other tracks on the album, i found myself sitting back, tapping away, enjoying this mix that the band obviously have a passion for. All in all, thumbs up from me, as in anything, always room for improvement, but if you like rock, and even only a little interest in the blues, this is definately worth listening too.
To find out more about The Blind Dead McJones Band, check out their Facebook page HERE.