Good blues has been coming to us from "North of the Boarder" for a very long time now. However, these past 5-6 years you've got to hand it to our Canadian neighbors.....some of their recent exports may very well be the next batch of the genres legends. Could it be a coincidence that in those same last 5-6 years NORTHERNBLUES MUSIC was born? I think not!

With the likes of WATERMELON SLIM, JANIVA MAGNESS, MEM SHANNON, TONI LYNN WASHINGTON, OTIS TAYLOR, CHRIS BEARD, PAUL REDDICK, BRIAN BLAIN, and countless others - some Canadian, some not - in their stable, it's quite apparent that we can count on lots more blues to come to us from "North of the Border"

As a matter of fact, it's already happening. THE J W JONES BLUES BAND is the newest arrival from Canada as well as from NORTHERNBLUES MUSIC. At the very young age of 25, J W has already been invited to the stage to join in playing with THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS, JUNIOR WATSON, LITTLE CHARLIE & THE NIGHTCATS, ROD PIAZZA & THE MIGHTY FLYERS, ANSON FUNDERBURGH & THE ROCKETS and the legendary HUBERT SUMLIN. Now if those names don't ring a bell, stop reading this article and get back under your rock.

From the looks of the band that the young Mr JONES assembled for this, his fourth disc, playing with the greats wore off on the him. With himself on Guitar, vocals and a little bit of Drums, J W JONES has NATHAN MORRIS on Electric and Upright Bass, ARTIE MAKRIS on Drums and GEOFF DAYE on Piano and Organ. Joining them are MANNIE MAKRIS on Acoustic Guitar and Background vocals and a slew of horn players known as "THE WIND-CHILL FACTOR HORNS", which consist of: BRIAN "JAMES" ASSELIN on Tenor Sax; FRANK SCANGA on Baritone Sax, Harmonica, Background Vocals and occasional B3 Drawbars; MICHAEL DALRYMPLE on Baritone Sax; BRADY LEAFLOOR on Alto Sax; PATRIC CAMIRE on Lead Trumpet; RICK RANGNO on Second Trumpet; and the legendary DAVID "FATHEAD" NEWMAN on Tenor Sax.

"KISSING IN 29 DAYS" is a enjoyable and well done mix of various styles of blues with eleven of it's fourteen tracks being J W originals.

The title track put a big smile on my face as it brought back fond memories of my teenage years during the early sixties. "KISSING IN 29 DAYS" was amazingly reminiscent of a big hit by FREDDY "BOOM BOOM" CANNON. It was a huge party song called "PALISADES PARK". Man, that song - just as this - was nothing but good old rock 'n' roll at it's best.

"HEY GIRL" keeps things going in the same direction. This song made me think of the great FATS DOMINO. Backed by the amazing horn section he's assembled, J W leads the way with great nostalgic sounding vocals and lots of that west coast flair on guitar. These first two opening tracks - pop-ish as they may be - are certainly two of this discs highlights.

"ALL MY MONEY" introduces us to some of the guitar work that has led this young man to be referred to as "One of this country's top blues guitar stars" by Canadian Periodicals and "The best young guitar player coming out of Canada" by Bluesman Otis Grand. I've got to agree.

Listening to "PARASOMNIA" too close to bedtime my actually cause insomnia. This instrumental will have you jumping hours after you hear it. This extremely fast paced track starts off in a hot jazzy jam then passes the lead to everyone in the band - at least once - while the drummer and upright bass maintain a constant and rapid rhythm. The production, arrangement and performance of this track will astound you.

"WAY TOO LATE" is one of those slow blues ballads that causes even people like me, who don't like dancing, to want to dance. GEOFF on the keyboards along with J W's vocals and guitar work highlight this outstanding track.

"HALLELUJAH, I LOVE HER SO" is all "FATHEAD". You'll want to keep hitting replay just to hear his two plus minute sax solo over and over again.

"KISSING IN 29 DAYS" closes in an interesting and somewhat bizarre way. After the last track there is a short period of silence and then a "Bonus Track", which features samples of all the tracks on the disc, comes on and just blows you away. Absolutely incredible.