Jay Gordon (blues musician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jay Gordon is an American blues rock guitarist who recorded with Phillip Walker for his album Jaywalkin.[2] Gordon has also played at the 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival, sharing the stage with Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, and Carlos Santana.[3]
Gordon was born in Charlotte, North Carolina[4] and later raised in Chicago, Illinois, "where at an early age he was exposed to jazz and blues by his grandmother, who played the piano and organ."[5] The young Gordon played various instruments, but discovered the guitar at age 14, and played in Top 40 cover bands as a teenager. He met Albert Collins at a young age and cites him as an influence.[2]
Critical reception
Negative reactions
Electricblues.com has expressed that the album Electric Redemption, "...is heavy-duty, highly animated, guitar-driven blues and heavy rock that will send most traditional blues fans running for cover. Only those interested in seeing just how far the blues can be stretched need dwell here".[6]
BluesRockReview.com reviewed: "[...] there are two main problems [...]; firstly Gordon’s constant wailing solos that become long, self-indulgent and some of the most uneconomical guitar playing around and some poor lyrics that lack a sense of the blues.[7]
Positive reviews
Many critics have praised Gordon for his instrument prowess[2][3], one saying, "This L.A. blues guitar player is a guy who has everyone else just trying to keep up as he pulls off endless incendiary guitar solos. This is Gordon's fourth album, with a fifth threatened for an early '99 release. Here's a guy who attracts guitar players who show up to watch and take notes. GRADE: A−"[8]
Regarding Gordon's album, Extremely Dangerous Blues, another reviewer expressed, "Although these performances are mostly fairly brief, there is no shortage of inventive ideas within the context of rockish Chicago blues, or any loss of passion."[9]
Other reviewers, view Gordon's larger-than-life playing to be ambitious, stating, "Gordon doesn't believe in understatement or simplicity. While his songs tell about overcoming heartache, being an outcast, partying all night long, and starting up a relationship, each one comes loaded with fire. The lyrics may be difficult to understand, but Gordon's powerhouse guitar leaves no doubt that he means business."[10]
