Album Reviews

Stacy Jones: World On Fire Own Label

“Stacy is a Seattle-based multi• instrumentalist and multi-award winner, and has been leading her band of guItar1st Jeff Menteer, Tom Jones (presumably not that one) on bass and stickman Rick J. Bowen since 2008. Lend an ear to the tough as o!d boots opener -hollered vocals and blues walling harp by Stacy, and some dog rough electric slide guitar over a suitably basic rhythm. It’s great! Mind you, next up ,s a reasonably straight cover of Little Walter’s classic instrumental ‘Juke’ and by now I Just know I’m already mightily impressed with this set. ‘Love Me Just The Way I Am’ shows Just how adept these guys are at the slow blues, and the title track throws rock and Americana into the blues mix, whilst ‘Everything Is Gonna Be Alright” ii an original number, a kind of ballad that sits
 between blues and R&B, maybe even a little Jazz. Willie Dixon’s ‘Insane Asylum’ reworks ‘St.James Infirmary’, whilst the tragic miscarr age of justice detailed on ‘George Stmney’ shows 1ust why Black Lives Matter is necessary. ‘Oxen Heart’ is rock-based Americana, whilst ‘Sunday Morning’ 1s appropriately gospel-based, and to my ears has a slight tinge of Ry Cooder about 1t. ‘M dn1ght In Har em’ has a somewhat dreamy feel and is followed by the msp1rat1onal pop rock of ‘Shine’, before the New Orleans soul-tinged ‘We Are Gonna Make It Through’ • Dr John comes to mind -and a powerful cover of Think’, contrasting with the folky closer ‘Music In My Heart’.A varied set but always rooted in the blues. Yes, I enjoyed this one. ” Norman Darwen

The Alternate Root

Stacy Jones (from the album World on Fire available as a self-release) (by Danny McCloskey)
A gnarly Blues guitar riff and harmonica blast kicks down the door when Stacy Jones cruises “Jefferson Way” as an album opener for World on Fire, her recent release. Powerhouse vocals and harmonica skills have garnered Stacy multiple Blues music award nominations as she grew a career, World on Fire celebrating two decades behind the microphone and fronting the band for the Seattle, Washington-based singer. Staccato foot-stomps and smooth Soul chord chops are the foundation for Stacy Jones to stand tall and proclaim “Everything is Going to Be Alright”. Rambling piano notes and warm organ notes stir the stew for “Insane Asylum”, the male/female duet in the song a vehicle for Stacy Jones to stand up and shout. Vocal control and an easy command of the songs provide a similar platform as Stacy takes center stage for World on Fire.

Acoustic notes are the wake-up signal for “Sunday Morning” as World on Fire remembers the sad tale of “George Stinney”, whispers a melody for the slow, steamy confessions of “Love Me Just the Way I Am”, and offers up sweet harmonica-driven honky tonk Soul for “Juke”. Stacy Jones dresses her characters with emotional flesh and blood through her voice. Over a train-track beat, Stacy Jones voices her dreams in the World on Fire title track, stretches out over a chugging rhythm to tell of “Midnight in Harlem”, puts an uptown Saturday groove underneath Aretha Franklin’s “Think”, and bids goodbye to the album, baring her soul in the storyline in “With Music on Your Side”. (by Danny McCloskey)

Album Review on Concert monkey Belgium

http://www.concertmonkey.be/albumreviews/stacy-jones-world-fire

STACY JONES – WORLD ON FIRE
Reviewed by:
Walter Vanheuckelom
The Stacy Jones Band was formed in 2003 and won the Best Band Award at the WA Blues Society in 2009 and frontwoman Stacy was voted Best Female Vocalist by the Washington Blues Society in 2014. The band earned these awards through their many catchy performances, for example in 2009 they played no fewer than 115 gigs in clubs and festivals. Due to that success, the band also decided to release a limited live CD entitled ‘Live At The Triple Door’. In January 2010 the first studio album ‘Long Time Comin’ followed, which was well received everywhere and could count on a lot of air play on various radio stations. In November 2011 ‘No Need To Spell It Out’ was released and halfway through 2012, the live album ‘Live And Untapped’ was released. In the Seattle area, USA, the Stacy Jones Band can count on a lot of name recognition. The album ‘Whiskey, Wine & Water’ was released halfway through 2015 and the intention of the band was to conquer the rest of the USA with this album, but also to break through in Europe. Stacy and her band were guests in the Netherlands and Germany in February 2016. She won the Award for best blues song in 2015 with ‘Can’t Do Nothing Right’ at the International Music And Entertainment Association. In 2016, she won the Washington BB Song Writer of the Year Award and a BB Award for her album Whiskey, Wine and Water. She is also continuously nominated for the best blues awards in songwriting, harmonica player, guitarist and singer. On July 14, 2017 the beautiful album ‘Love Is Everywhere’ was released. At the 2021 Washington Blues Society, the Stacy Jones Band received the Award of Best Virtual Blues Act for the fourth consecutive time. The band is currently celebrating their twentieth anniversary and that includes a new album. It was titled ‘World On Fire’. There are fourteen songs on the album. Stacy Jones wrote six songs for the album. Guitarist Jeff Menteek wrote the music for four songs, for the lyrics he got help from Stacy Jones, Tom Jones and Rick Bowen. The other four songs are covers Guitarist Jeff Menteek wrote the music for four songs, for the lyrics he got help from Stacy Jones, Tom Jones and Rick Bowen. The other four songs are covers Guitarist Jeff Menteek wrote the music for four songs, for the lyrics he got help from Stacy Jones, Tom Jones and Rick Bowen. The other four songs are covers
The album opens with searing blues rocker ‘Jefferson Way’, which is also the lead single from the album. With tight and energetic percussion, drummer Rick Bowen provides an excellent drum beat. Tom Jones provides the handsome groove with a heavy bass line. ‘Jefferson Way’ is built around a strong, repetitive riff. Stacy tells the story of two broken hearts who seek comfort from each other in ‘Jefferson Way’. Jeff Menteer eagerly scatters the entire song with fat slide riffs and Stacy Jones delivers exciting harmonica work. The first cover is ‘Juke’ by Little Walter. It’s an instrumental Chicago blues shuffle starring Stacy Jones on the harmonica. Then follow three slow songs, which were written by Stacy Jones. ‘Love Just The Way I Am’ is a beautiful, more than six minutes long ballad, in which Stacy manages to captivate us every second with her beautiful voice and with the intensity and empathy with which she sings the song. Also in the title track ‘World On Fire’ we can fully enjoy the voice of Stacy Jones. Her voice is like fine wine, she seems to get better with age.
The love song ‘Everything Is Going To Be Alright’ is a soulful ballad. Mike Gunther on trumpet and Gene Laukkonen on saxophone blow the necessary soul into the song and the soulful and fine string work of Jeff Menteer fits perfectly in this beautiful ballad. The attractive chorus will create a lot of atmosphere during the concerts. The Willie Dixon cover ‘Insane Asylum’ here becomes a duet between Stacy and Tom Jones. Tom tells his story in a calm way and Stacy sings her part in a very fiery and passionate way. As a result, the two voices form a great contrast and that gives the song even more spice. Stacy once again shows that she is a very talented harmonica player. ‘George Stinney’ is a devastating tale of racism, mafia mentality and political corruption. Stacy tells the tragic story of 14-year-old George Stinney, an African American boy who was falsely accused of murder. He was executed in the Jim Crow south in the 1940s. “George Stinney” is a song that could have been on a Bob Dylan album from the sixties or seventies. The most beautiful ballad on the album is undoubtedly the tender and melodic ‘Oxen Cart’. ‘Sunday Morning’ is a catchy and happy country/rock song with a nice drum beat by Rick Bowen and soulful slide work by Jeff Menteer.
The Derek Truck’s cover ‘Midnight In Harlem’ is one of the highlights on this excellent album. Stacy carries the melody with her warm organ sounds and the beautiful and soulful slide work of Jeff Menteer will certainly touch a lot of music lovers. If we are to believe ‘We Are Going To Make It Trough’, Stacy and her boys are definitely going to make it. It is an optimistic song with lively piano work from Stacy, energetic and exciting percussion from Rick, a nice flowing bass line from Tom and funky guitar riffs from Jeff. We get a nice growling Stacy Jones in the exciting Aretha Franklin cover ‘Think’. Stacy’s incendiary harmonica work and Gene Laukkonen’s mighty sax solo give this version an extra trump card. The album is closed by the acoustic ‘With Music On My Side’. It’s a song Stacy wrote and she performs it solo. As a contemporary troubadour, she takes care of the vocals, the acoustic guitar and the harmonica. The Stacy Jones Band celebrates their twentieth anniversary in style. With their new album ‘World On Fire’ they prove that they are still not tired, on the contrary Stacy and the band sound better than ever before. (7.5/10)
Walter Vanheuckelom
01. Jefferson Way -music by Jeff Menteer words by Stacy Jones
02. Juke : written by Little Walter
03. Love Just The Way I Am – words and music by Stacy Jones
04. World On Fire – words and music by Stacy Jones
05. Everything Is Going To Be Alright – words and music by Stacy Jones
06. Insane Asylum – written by Willie Dixon
07. George Stinney – words and music by Stacy Jones
08. Oxen Heart – words and music by Stacy Jones
09. Sunday Morning – words by Stacy Jones music by Jeff Menteer and the Stacy Jones Band
10. Midnight In Harlem – written by Derrick Trucks and Mike Mattison
11. Shine – Music by Jeff Menteer and words by Rick J Bowen
12. We Are Going To Make It Through – Music by Jeff Menteer, words by Tom Jones
13. Think – written by Aretha Franklin and Ted White
14. With Music On My Side – words and music by Stacy Jones
Stacy Jones = vocals, harmonica, organ, piano and acoustic guitar
Jeff Menteer = electric guitar and backing vocals
Tom Jones = bas, Vocals Track 6.
Rick J Bowen = drums, percussion, backing vocals
Mike Gunther = trumpet
Gene Laukkonen = saxophone
https://youtu.be/f3MqZU_9Y5k

LIVESTREAM REVIEW: STACY JONES BAND

Livestream • Loud House Studios    Seattle, WA

Players: Stacy Jones, keyboards, harmonica, acoustic and electric rhythm guitar and lead vocals; Jeff Menteer, lead guitar and vocals; Tom Jones, bass; Rick Bowen, drums and backup vocals

Material: This powerhouse quartet plays a well-balanced dose of Americana, blues and Southern-flavored rock. From rousing originals like “Whiskey and Water” and the jazzy “Keep on Keepin’ On” to perennials “Hound Dog” and Aretha Franklin’s “Think,” they do it all.

Musicianship: Each member is a consummate artist and technician in their own right.  Stacy Jones covers the musical landscape on all fronts. She plays some mean slide guitar, but really shines on vocals and harmonica. Her ability to modulate from a whisper to a wail is impressive. And her facility on harp seems to draw from the Charlie Musselwhite and James Cotton schools of improvisation. Jeff Menteer simply smokes as well, with tasteful leads and an endless supply of sustain and tone. Tom Jones is the glue that bridges the gap between walking lines and riding squarely in the pocket. Rick Bowen performs double duty, not only as a versatile drummer and percussionist, but also supports Stacy, with simple and effective harmonies. He adds that subtle dash of sweetness that gives the songs an extra edge.

Performance: The band was hunkered down in what appeared to be a multi-room studio. It was a relaxed and laidback show where they each periodically would send “shout-outs” to their Facebook Live streaming fans. Stacy would casually call out a song and the band would follow suit. The audio fidelity was perfect and the balance of everyone, particularly when it came to solos, was really clean.
     Among the highlights was a stellar take on The Rolling Stones’ disco-fied hit “Miss You.” Stacy delivered a nice and loose vocal as well as managed some smooth melodic runs on the harp. The song morphed into Tom stepping out into the Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There” and ended with a full band free for all. Utilizing the song “Think” as a finale was a good choice. Not only did it bring their set to a rousing and satisfying end, but it was a shining tour de force.

Summary: The Stacy Jones Band is a solid unit that clearly defines what a professional career band is all about. Their mix of originals and covers is first rate. And their award-winning chops and buoyant demeanor should place them on major stages across the country. 

https://www.musicconnection.com/livestream-review-stacy-jones-band/

-2017 Love is Everywhere —REVIEWS

Professor Johnny P’s Juke Joint July 10, 2017

Stacy Jones ~~ Love Is Everywhere

I am fortunate that nearly every day there’s a delivery of some sort of music from all over the world. Most of the albums I receive will never see print – I only try to write about the best, or at least the most interesting, and many of them just don’t make the cut.
Still, I have some people who represent artists of a higher quality and I am always excited to open the packages with their names on the return address. One such person, who currently calls Memphis home, sent me a package with several great musicians’ albums in it.
I picked one at random that had a photo of a beautiful woman in artistic black and white. I wasn’t familiar with the artist – Stacy Jones – and quickly learned that she’s from the state of Washington. The album is called Love Is Everywhere, an intriguing title for a blues album, but as this person has never sent me a dud previously, I popped it into my CD player with great anticipation.
Jones plays multiple instruments and is joined by Jeff Menteer on electric guitar and backing vocals; Rick Bowen on drums and backing vocals; and Tom Jones on bass.
A powerful blues song, Mojo Potion #61 & 49, opens the album. If you’re not familiar with 61 & 49, you have a little blues homework to do. Jones has a good voice with plenty of edge and she handles the first lead guitar, vocals, and harp with style. This is a great start and I think the album holds great promise.
The next number, Wait For Heaven, is a slower powerful number that she sings with a great deal of emotion. When you lose a friend too soon, sometime the only thing you can do is channel that loss into art, and that’s exactly what Jones has done with this song.
There’s a little swing kicking off Can’t Find Love. She sings the blues very well and this quick number is a great one to get an audience up and moving. Bowen gets a good workout on the drums and Jones does a good job on the guitar break. Speaking of swinging numbers, the one song on the album not written completely by Jones, Stomp Jump Boogie, follows. Written by Jones and Jeff Menteer, this is a fast-paced instrumental that features the great Lee Oskar on harp. Can’t go wrong with this one!
Can’t You Be Mine starts out acoustically before the song brings in all of the other instruments including Mike Marinig on sax and flute. Jones digs deep into her emotional state to pull out all of the stops on the song. It’s beautiful and delightful to listen to.
Next up is a rocking tune, I Fell In Love. Jones proves she’s got some rock chops as well as her blues pedigree. As she is a multi-instrumentalist, she shows that she can handle different styles and create some unique and pleasing sounds.
The title track, Love Is Everywhere, is next. It’s one of my favorite songs on the album. She’s got an early Bonnie Raitt vibe on the number; her voice is deep and rich and it’s obviously a song that touches her deeply. The song was written after the Orlando Tragedy and she has tapped into the nation’s grief. It’s a simple message, but a hard one for so many to accept. Stacy Jones, if you read this, you have created a beautiful song – one I hope more people will hear and heed!
How do you follow that? How about with a little boogie number, One Stop Light? This is a fun number and the lightness of the song picks the mood back up. Jones delivers a great harp break on top of having a good time with the lyrics. Marinig’s sax break is sweet. Sing it, girl…
Gotta Get Over You keeps that lighthearted mood going. These two songs make a great combination. They don’t have much in common lyrically, but musically they could be fraternal twins. Jones delivers on vocals, harp, and guitar.
She pulls out the acoustic guitar for Tough Girls Never Cry, the story of a strong woman finding her way in the world. The song has a country blues vibe and she works her way through this territory that she hasn’t explored on the album previously. I like this one a lot and I know I’ll have to find some of her previous albums to see if she sings more like this one on them.
Jones closes the album out with I’ll Be On My Way. She adds some dobro to the mix along with her great harp and turns in a swampy number that would be at home either on the front porch or a packed auditorium. The song rocks and her voice is sweet and somehow still manages to hold on to its edge. Great tune, and it makes it easy to hit that repeat button and start all over again.
I readily admit that I was not familiar with Stacy Jones prior to receiving a copy of Love IsEverywhere. I also guarantee that she will never be off my radar going forward. I love her playing and her voice. She’s a good songwriter, and she handles several different styles of blues without missing a beat.
If you think you might be interested in falling under her spell, be sure to check out her website at http://stacyjonesband.com/. Look over her previous work, and be sure to check out her touring plans. I don’t know that she gets out of the Pacific Northwest very often, but I hope that our paths will cross somewhere down the road just so I can tell her to her face how touched I was by the magic of this album.

by Johnny P.

Midwest Record 07/07/17

STACY JONES

STACY JONES/Love is Everywhere:

If it’s all about the choogle to you, then this set is just what you are looking for. Sounding like Bonnie Raitt’s younger, rawer sister, Jones and company play like they never met a sunrise they didn’t like to greet after a solid night of tearing it up. Dripping enough sweat to prove not all millenials are slackers, this is the blues/rock package you want to have handy then you need to turn it up to an emotional 11. Well done throughout.

http://midwestrecord.com/MWR1245.html
Stacy Jones review…July 22, 2017…
Posted July 22, 2017 by dvcrow56

STACY JONES
LOVE IS EVERYWHERE

MOJO POTION 61 AND 49–WAIT FOR HEAVEN–CAN’T FIND LOVE–STOMP JUMP BOOGIE–CAN’T YOU BE MINE–I FELL IN LOVE–LOVE IS EVERYWHERE–ONE STOP LIGHT–GOTTA GET OVER YOU–TOUGH GIRLS NEVER CRY–I’LL BE ON MY WAY

Stacy Jones set out to make a blues-and-roots-themed album with “Love Is Everywhere,” and she did just that. With her many accolades as a songwriter in her home state of Washington, this set will likely add to those kudos. And, it also shows a side of her that many may not know exists—her multi-instrumentalist talents are all over this one, as she is on vocals, guitar, piano, B-3, and even the harp!

The set begins, literally, down at the Crossroads, as a second-line beat propels the ghostly story of a woman “who was a looker,” but who took the advice of the Hoodoo Man, and drank of the “Mojo Potion 61 And 49,” and “never was the same again!” “Wait For Heaven” is a powerful, guitar-laden message of hope following the death of a friend in a house fire, while Mike Marinig’s sax and flute add an ethereal vibe to the Stax-soul flavor of “Can’t You Be Mine.”

Her nods to the Americana genre’ are evident in the tale of “Tough Girls Never Cry,” evoking memories of Lucinda Williams, and the humorous tale of going to any lengths to forget a lover, “Gotta Get Over You.” And, the incomparable War veteran, Lee Oskar, adds his mighty harp to the fervent instrumental, “Stomp Jump Boogie.”

We had three favorites, all different, showcasing Stacy’s exemplary writing talents. The mile-a-minute, call-and-response of “One Stop Light” is straight-up dance floor boogie. The set closes almost in the same place that it began, with the Delta-by-way-of-706-Union, Sun-splashed choogle of “I’ll Be On My Way.” And, perhaps the set’s most powerful cut is the title track, written after the Orlando tragedy, as a tribute to the fallen and an empowerment to those left behind to carry on.
Stacy Jones comes at you straight from her soul. She blends the blues easily with other genres,’ and crafts a heartfelt set of songs that will add to her ever-expanding fan base. As another great band once said, “People can you feel it—Love Is Everywhere!” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.

https://donandsherylsbluesblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/stacy-jones-review-july-22-2017/

Review: Stacy Jones – ‘Love Is Everywhere’

July 27, 2017 Barry Kerzner

Stacy Jones is on a roll. She has built a following touring throughout Europe, and has not forgotten her fans on the home front here in the states where she has performed from coast to coast. Festivals she’s played include SBSW and the Chicago Blues Festival. She is the 2016 Washington Blues Society Song Writer of the Year Award Winner for her 2016 album Whiskey, Wine and Water. She was also nominated for “Best of the Blues” awards in songwriting, performance, harmonica, guitar and winning vocalist in 2010 and 2014.
We were quite anxious to take Jones’ new album for a test drive and were not disappointed. The self-issued Love Is Everywhere contains 11 tasty tracks and has a running time of about 43 minutes. Personnel are guitarist Jeff Menteer, drummer Rick J Bowen and her dad Tom Jones on bass. Recorded at Studio Litho in Seattle, produced by Jones, and engineered by Floyd Reitsma (Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews), the mix and sound quality are right there in the sweet spot. The recording setting is described as “live-off-the-floor” and that lends itself very well to the ambiance of the album.
First time through, this album pasted a smile on our face and it stayed there. We were taken back to a time when music was simple, honest, and so good it carried us away. The songs here have an almost garage band rockabilly-ish vibe. The hooks are strong and catchy, and Jones’ vocals remind us of Sarah Shook (and that’s awesome). The band is on the money with playing that is loose but never careless.
Our favorite cuts included “Wait For Heaven,” with its garage band atmospherics that remind us of an afternoon spent with a Delbert McClinton album. We marveled at the punkish country stylings of “Can’t Find Love.” Guests Mike Maring (sax and flute) and Sean Denton on guitar add depth to the cozy mix of acoustic and electric aspects of “Can’t You Be Mine.” “I Fell In Love” should be out as a single; it’s off the hook. Another possible single, the title track “Love Is Everywhere” is playfully slow and Jones’ perfect vocal had an air of Sheryl Crow about it. The album closes with the acoustic flavored romp “On My Way.”
Love Is Everywhere is a keeper. Bring it home. Today.

http://www.northwestmusicscene.net/review-stacy-jones-love-is-everywhere/

Blues Magazine NL

Stacy Jones – Love Is Everywhere

Format: CD – Digital / Label: Own Management
Release Date: July 14, 2017
Text: Peter Marinus

Stacy Jones Seattle, USA, is described in some circles as a singer with a voice like Janis Joplin. A comparison, which does not matter. Her voice is somewhere between Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt. And in music, Stacy better fits these ladies. What you hear about this album is a nice mix of bluesy Americana with some funk and country influences.
In addition to a wonderful voice, Stacy can also take a decent deal with harmonica. That’s right in Mojo Potion 61 And 49 , which features a hurry New Orleans-like funk rhythm. The guitar of Sean Denton sounds nice bluesy.
Wait For Heaven is a bluesy ballad that could have stood on Sheryl Crow’s repertoire. A nice, Emotional song with cutting guitar solo by Jeff Menteer. The semi-acoustic Can not Find Love is a gentle swinging Americana song with country influences and again Menteer on his cutting guitar.
On the instrumental Stomp Jump Boogie , Stacy strikes with her mouth harmonics with Lee Oskar, the harmonics virtuoso of the War band. A swinging blues shuffle in which the battle remains undecided.
Can not You Be Mine is a beautiful ballad in which Stacy puts a pretty raw robe on. I Fell In Love has a lot gone from Eric Clapton’s “Forever Man”. Nice swinging funky blues rock so with fuzzy guitar.
The ballad Love Is Everywhere sounds great again. A swarming ballad that floated my name Bonnie Raitt. And that says enough about the quality of this song, seems to me. In One Stop Light , it’s festive, swung out of the hip. Stacy is again glaringly tearing her harmonica.
Tough Girls Do not Cry is, despite the tough title, a fragile ballad with country influences, and the shutdown I’ll Be On My Way is a country blues swinger with burning guitar and warm harmonics.
Lovers of the better Americana work or the ladies Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt can actually buy this great album from Stacy Johnson blindly. Incomprehensible that this lady still has to spend albums on her own!

https://www.bluesmagazine.nl/recensie-stacy-jones-love-is-everywhere/

Bman Blues Report Review

Stacy Jones – Love Is Everywhere – New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Love Is Everywhere, from Stacy Jonesand it’s a cool mix of blues, folk, country and pop. Opening with Mojo Potion #61 & 49, a cool rocker with just a touch of country western, Stacy Jones on lead vocal, harmonica and guitar leads the way backed by Jeff Menteer on guitar, Rick Bowen on drums and Tom Jones on bass. Seaan Denton steps up on second lead guitar and Angelo Ortiz adds cool rhythm on washboard for a tight opener. Wait For Heaven has a definite southern rock/Toy and Tommy Caldwell feel. One of my favorite tracks, Can’t Find Love, is a strong alt rock track sounding like a mix of Frank Black and the Catholics and Fiona Apple. A great melody with a cool beat and guitar/strong vocal combination. A real nice instrumental, Stomp Jump Boogie features the infamous Lee Oskar joining on harmonica. Super twin harps and a great walking bass line makes for a terrific track. One of the strongest melodies on the release is Can’t You Be Mine with hints of Paul McCartney. With a bluesier feel and soulful guitar soloing, another cool number. With Fiona Apple like style and Curtis Mayfield undertones, title track, Love Is Everywhere, shows yet another side of Jones. On jump track, One Stop Light, Mike Marinig really blows out the sax and sets the road to a cool guitar solo by Jones. Wrapping the release is, I’ll Be On My Way, a rambling blues track along the lines of Are You Ready For The Country. With snappy drums by Bowen, cool resonator and harp work by Jones and a solid bass line by Tom Jones, this is a solid closer for a solid release.

New post on Making A Scene!

by Richard Ludmerer

Stacy Jones -Love is Everywhere- Independent

“Love Is Everywhere” is Jones’ fourth studio recording and seventh album overall. Her band has remained unchanged since 2010; Jones, guitars, harmonica, keyboards and vocals; Jeff Menteer, lead guitar; Rick J. Bowen, drums; and her dad Tommy Jones, bass. All of the songs save one were written by Jones. The album is recorded and mixed by Floyd Reitsma at Studio Litho, Seattle. “Mojo Potion #61 & 49” is a rockin’ blues about a woman who went to the crossroads “and she never was the same again”. Is the song autobiographical? Bowen pounds out an intense second line beat while Sean Denton joins Menteer on lead guitar. Angelo Ortiz plays washboard. Jones plays rhythm guitar and harmonica. “Wait For Heaven” is a heartbreaking song about her friend Greg Gibson who died in a house fire. Menteer takes an impressive guitar solo. “Can’t Find Love…unless your looking in the mirror girl” is a song about self-empowerment. “I Fell in Love”; “Can’t You Be Mine” featuring Mike Marinig on saxophone and flute; and “Gotta Get Over You” are about falling in and out of love. Marinig plays again on the jump blues “One Stop Light”; Jones is on harmonica while Menteer rips another solo. “Tough Girls Never Cry” is influenced by Rosanne Cash. The title track, “Love Is Everywhere”, was written after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and before the Seattle Pride celebration. Special guest Lee Oskar plays harp on the fantastic “Stomp Jump Boogie” written by Menteer and the band. “I’ll Be On My Way” closes out this fine album.
Jones’ is a blues rockin’ triple threat as instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist. She is just making her mark. Guaranteed she’ll be around for a long while.

Richard Ludmerer
http://www.makingascene.org/stacy-jones-love-everywhere/

Stacy Jones

Whiskey Wine and Water

Reviews

Stacy Jones

Whiskey, Wine, & Water

(Self-Released)wwwfront

Coming off another award-winning year – 2014 Washington Blues Society “Best Female Vocalist” – Stacy Jones returns with another blistering blues long-player, ‘Whiskey, Wine, & Water.’After the album opens the train-chuggin blues of “Can’t Do Nothin’ Right,” there’s a couple things conspicuously missing here. Jones dropped the “Band” from her moniker, and her harmonica-fused blues sound she built her career on is pushed to the back in favor of a more alt-country and dare I say folk as the primary basis of these song structures.Don’t get me wrong, there are still elements of blues within these dozen tracks. The down and dirty title track has a little swagger to it, while the boogie woogie of “Keep On Keepin’ On” is an ass shaker. Aside from those three tracks, Jones’ influences of Big Mama Thorton, Muddy Waters, and Led Zeppelin are replaced by the country two-step of “You and Me, Tonight,” the 1960s folk of “4 Days More.” and the bluegrass of “Lost Lovers Waltz.” This isn’t a bad thing, but it’s unexpected. With elements of the Carter Family and Lucinda Williams running throughout these tracks, Stacy Jones expands her repertoire and pulls it off because she had an amazing range as a vocalist. It’s just that ‘Whiskey, Wine, & Water’ is more Nashville honky-tonk than Mississippi juke joint.

 MAY 1, 2015

Innocent Words –Jonathan Tuttle

“Seattle-based country-folk-Americana singer-songwriter Stacy Jones is a vocal powerhouse and talented musician who plays acoustic guitar, ukulele, harmonica, piano, organ, and electric slide. She has performed at South by Southwest, the Chicago Blues Festival and other national and regional festivals, and has been nominated for “Best of the Blues” awards in songwriting, performance, harmonica, guitar, and winning vocalist of the year. Her fourth studio album, “Whiskey, Wine & Water,” features all new original songs recorded and co-produced by Floyd Rietsma (Pearl Jam and Dave Mathews) at Studio Litho in Seattle. Support is provided by Kevin Sutton, Sean Denton, and Mark Riley on lead guitar, Rick Bowen on drums, Tom Jones on upright and electric bass, and Jon Parry on fiddle. These are all top-notch musicians.The CD wallet includes a pull-out with a signed picture and short explanations on how/why she wrote the songs – nice touch. The CD”

– Sue Menhart, Sound Waves (Apr 02, 2015)

“Personally, I believe that such a gig soon gain even more fans around the world, and not only those who love the blues, but all who love good music. With their new album “Whiskey, Wine & Water” Stacy listeners transmits a strong message, which is only a step towards more global affirmation.The songs offered on this album clearly indicate the width the musician and her backup band. It is this diversity of interpretation and presentation of musicians, who with their music clearly all make it clear that each in his Fahui real and exceptional master, powerful trump album. Well, finally, here are their names: Stacy Jones (vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar, harmonica), Kevin Sutton (guitar and vocals), Rick J Bowen (drums and vocals) and Tom Jones (bass), and there are special guests, guitarists Mark Riley and Sean Denton Jon Parry, who with his violin further spice up the story. Produced by Stacy Jones and Floyd Reitsma, and filmed and mixed by Floyd Reitsma at Studio Litho in Seattle.”

– Mike Mladen, Sound guardian (Apr 01, 2015)

If you thought you knew what to expect from a Stacy Jones album, you’re going to get quite a surprise when you hear “Whiskey, Wine And Water”. The up-tempo opening track “Can’t Do Nothing Right” gives a lie to the whole album, Stacy and the band can do little wrong! Unlike earlier albums, there are nice shades of country with fiddle on — “You And Me Tonight” and the tremendous rollicking “San Antonio” although both remain with one foot in the blues. Brooding ballads, power blues, gentle blues, up-tempo blues and the guitar on “Mama” is almost reminiscent of the Allman Brothers. Given Stacy’s harmonica skills, they’re a bit under-represented. However, Kevin Sutton (guitar), Tom Jones (bass) and Rick J Bowen (drums) provide a real power trio to show-case Stacy’s voice. The band’s best album yet in my humble opinion!” Cliff McKnight, Nothing But the Blues UK

– Cliff McKnight, Nothing But the Blues U.K (Feb 01, 2015)

“Stacy Jones connects with her Country Roots telling her story of a Whiskey & Water Baptism that lace Blues and Rock edges bringing this collection of songs to life. She embraces the Singer-Songwriter she has developed into with a conviction that listeners will relate to. From “Can’t Do Nothing Right”, “Whiskey Wine and Water” to “San Antonio”, crack the Crown and get down road with Stacy’s musical story.” Jonathan Oogie” Richards NWCZ Radio

– jonathan ‘Oogie” Richards, Mighty mouth Blues/NWCZ Radio (Feb 01, 2015)

Stacy Jones,

Pouring a Round of True Sass and Class

Whiskey Wine & Water – From behind the microphone Stacy Jones will kick you so hard you will fall backwards over your chair. This is truly a band that knows their craft and will have you swinging hard. With foot stomping attitude Stacey and the band will have dancing the floor afire with the track “Can’t Do Nothing Right”. From the snap in the snare, the pulse of the bass and the sizzle of guitars Stacey sets you up for a time of great fun. With the acoustic guitar swagger on “You and Me Tonight” you will feel like grabbing your love and holding them tight all night long. Fiddle work weaves like a true hard passion through this song that is so sweet you might just get a toothache. Overall the production on this collection is top shelf and you can tell this is no band of hillbillies cutting in their daddy’s garage. This is a band of true, seasoned pros. With a bit of slide in your step you will sway to the cool breeze that blows through your soul on “Dreams”. Stacy has a classic voice that commands from the mic. She can weave tales with her voice that make you feel like you are there with her. A true artist with a soulful voice you will open your eyes while listening and feel a bit sad that she is not right there in the room with you. The chicken pickin on, “Hole in My Sole” add extra flavor with the right dash of sass. The rhythm section of ensemble is undeniably one of the greats. Drum work is in perfect balance with the band and adds the right amount of kick and roll. Bass guitar work pulses the tunes along and courts your ears to dance like a sultry lover. With title track in ear, “Whiskey Wine & Water” resisting the urge to hit your local Honky Tonk and tear up the night is going to be hard to do. Stacy Jones delivers a soundtrack for great fun and trouble all night long just make sure you don’t get caught. I would highly recommend this album to those that like Country, Blues, Rock or a 5 star class of sass. You don’t need to wait till the weekend to have too much fun. Just slide over and press play for just the right dose of Whiskey, Wine & Water.