An elder statesman of Piedmont blues, John Jackson didn't get much exposure outside of his home state of Virginia until the folk revival of the 1960s swept him up. His music is an appealing mix of Piedmont-style blues, App... more »alachian folk, and an assortment of dance music; he moves from the ballad of "Railroad Bill" to the traditional "C.C. Rider" to the pensive "Louisiana Blues" to the devotional "When He Calls Me." The most striking track on this album, though, is "Death Don't Have No Mercy," which starts off dark and melancholy and progresses to downright scary. It's all, indeed, the sort of thing one could easily imagine hearing on the front porch of a southeastern house, complete with the Appalachian chain in the background. --Genevieve Williams« less
An elder statesman of Piedmont blues, John Jackson didn't get much exposure outside of his home state of Virginia until the folk revival of the 1960s swept him up. His music is an appealing mix of Piedmont-style blues, Appalachian folk, and an assortment of dance music; he moves from the ballad of "Railroad Bill" to the traditional "C.C. Rider" to the pensive "Louisiana Blues" to the devotional "When He Calls Me." The most striking track on this album, though, is "Death Don't Have No Mercy," which starts off dark and melancholy and progresses to downright scary. It's all, indeed, the sort of thing one could easily imagine hearing on the front porch of a southeastern house, complete with the Appalachian chain in the background. --Genevieve Williams
The music he makes,,and the man who makes it are both great!
Richard L. Finegan | Waveland, Ms. USA | 11/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I grew up in Fairfax Station, Va. and became acquainted with John Jackson thru St. Mary's Catholic Church(Clara Barton began the Red Cross there), where he dug graves by hand with shovel and pick in the 60's and 70's. Though the Amoco station at Butts Corner, Va. where John was "discovered" is no longer there I can still "see" it. I'll always remember and cherish John for an act of kindness that shows the person that he is, when my Mother, Anne Finegan, died in 1976, at the request of my Family, John came out of retirement to dig her grave at St. Mary's out of respect for her and as a tribute to her life. The beauty of his music comes from inside a kind and gentle man with a huge heart and a tremendous God-given talent. "Front Porch Blues" is both a triumph and an absolute joy to listen to, check out "Fairfax Station Rag"!"
Blues, but also a whole lot more
Jerome Clark | Canby, Minnesota | 07/02/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"John Jackson is no more a "blues singer" than the late Mississippi John Hurt was. His repertoire has blues in it, of course, but essentially it is based in African-American folk styles current a century ago, before blues as such even existed. It also shows the influence of white vernacular music; even if Jackson didn't tell you as much, you'd know he grew up listening to Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, and the Delmore Brothers. On this welcome new recording Jackson's gruffer voice is the only indication that he's older than he was when he recorded those great Arhoolie albums in the 1960s, soon after folklorist Charles Perdue happened on him as he was playing guitar at a Fairfax, Virginia, Amoco station in 1964. Jackson is still playing well, and he still has a fine ear for a good song, everything from the traditional black outlaw ballad "Railroad Bill" to church and gospel tunes (including the obscure but delightful "The Devil He Wore a Hickory Shoe") to rags to 1920s-era country blues. Like John Hurt, John Jackson is a performer whose sheer amiability matches his considerable musical talent. Hearing him just plain makes you feel good."
A great collection from a master of the Piedmont Blues
Bryan Jacobs | Bealeton, Va | 12/14/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"John has been and continues to be the master of the Piedmont Blues. Age has done nothing to dim his voice or slow his fingers. I had the pleasure of performing with John in Warrenton, Va in Nov '99 and he still continues to amaze. If you are only going to buy one collection of the Piedmont Blues, this should be it."
A true national treasure
rbzimmerman | Somerset, KY United States | 01/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"John Jackson was a true American treasure. Above all...he was a gentleman. His music and the impact he had on all who were fortunate enough to ever meet him will live on."