Southern In My Soul

Big George Jackson might be based in the north, but his heart is very firmly below the Mason-Dixon line. Along with his band, the singer and harp player belts out some very raw blues, with a groove that simply won't quit — just listen to the cover of Otis Smothers' "I've Done More for You, Baby" for an example. But there's more to the band. Jackson not only has a wonderful deep voice, but a very strong turn of phrase in his lyrics, while there are no meandering solos in the group — everything is razor sharp, as typified by guitarists Jeremy Johnson and Phil Schmid, who never use ten notes when one will suffice. The album was recorded in their home studio, but the sound is as full as anything done somewhere more expensive. It may be blues straight down the line, yet it's anything but by the numbers.