Jinx Jones

“And there are many, many others. Fans will be disappointed in me for omitting their favorite player here. Modern players such as Brian Setzer, The Reverend Horton Heat, Danny Gatton, Jinx Jones, Darrel Higham, and others deserve mention for keeping the guitar front and center in the modern rockabilly world.” Rockabilly Guitarists Define the Genre, Buster Fayte,  Arts and Entertainment: Music; Published: February 9, 2011

"Rip And Run" is the latest (and best) album from California's guitar ace Jinx Jones recorded with Joe Kyle on bass, Jimmy Sage (Lee Rocker band) on drums, Caroline Dahl on piano and David Phillips on steel. It's a solid offering mixing different style of rocking music with elements of blues and country (isn't the definition of Rock'n'roll?). It's led from start to finish by Jones'guitar and his 30 fingers (that's the only way I can explain his dexterity). He mostly plays on Telecaster and Grestch, and maybe a Jazzmaster which is a proof of good taste. It kicks off with "On Parole And Out Of Control" that has a strong Reverend Horton Heat feel in it (think "Big Red Rocket Of Love"). It's also a great showcase of Jones guitar play. The swingin' "Never Live It Down" slows down the pace, I just regret that the piano doesn't take a chorus on this one. "Doghouse" is a fine cowboy ballad with a solid Bakersfield styled guitar solo. If you still doubt of Jones' virtuosity, "How High The Moon" is here to reminds you that this guy plays in the same league than Brian Setzer or Danny Gatton. "Time To Have A Good Time" is a fine neo-rockabilly tune separated in two parts (roughly one for the lyrics and the other one for the solos, like Creedence's Suzy-Q), it also could have been the title of the album. It's instrumental time again with "Rip & Run" that sounds like a cross between Ennio Morricone and the Ventures. "Hot Rod Heartbreaker" is a solid rocker with a Chuck Berry flair. Back to country music with "No Beer In Heaven" (what a title!) a sped up hillbilly number (a bit like Reverend Horton Heat's Balls OF Cocaine to give you an idea). Starting like Sleepwalk, "Vibro Exotica" is an instrumental that slips toward blues in the middle. The mistake would be to reduce Jinx Jones to a guitar player. He is more than an average singer and he can write pretty good songs (he wrote all the numbers of this album but two) with witty lyrics like "Redneck Barbie" an excellent modern rockabilly. I really enjoyed the Honky Tonk sound of "What Makes You Think I'm So Lonesome". The steel and the guitar duet on "Prairie Dog Daddy", a jumpin' instrumental, halfway between Little Charlie Baty and Leon Rhodes and Buddy Emmons. "Roma's song" closes the album with another slice of solid guitar that shows the influence of Roy Buchanan.
If you're a guitar geek, a fan of the Reverend Horton Heat, Brian Setzer and Danny Gatton, or if you simply like good music (with plenty of guitar), do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this one.
Available here.
Fred "Virgil" Turgis

Jinx Jones, License To Twang, Red Rogue Records

Once again, I’m proven wrong. I was definitely ready to hate this disc, too. Jones looks like a retro rockabilly artist, but, lo and behold, the guy is a great guitarist, whose style encompasses not only rockabilly, but western swing, honky tonk country and raunchy rock as well. The songs are good, the band is tight, and Jones is a real player who had the good sense not to try and recreate the Sun records sound. Recommended. Red Rogue Records, 1592 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 04123.