Award recognition from Indie Music Channel, 2020
Willie Jackson received award recognition in both categories of nomination: “Best Blues Songs” and “Best Blues Songwriter,” from the Indie Music Awards. At GRAMMY MUSEUM in L.A. California, April 28, 2019
Performing on the Savannah River Boat Cruise, Georgia Queen
Willie joined other big names in blues such as Mac Arnold to play the 22nd Annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival in South Carolina.
The band was feeling at home back on River Street to play the Low Country Craft Brew Festival 2018.
Willie & the band were honored to open for the legendary Mac Arnold at the Stage on Bay on February 9th, 2018.
Willie’s daughters and sisters were delighted to meet the Blues Hall of Famer who was once the bass player for Muddy Waters!
Willie & the band enjoyed entertaining crowds at the Southern Family Food & Music Festival and the Blues, Jazz & BBQ Fest 2017.
Rock and Roll Call by Bill Locey
‘All In The Blues’ is the latest from Willie Jackson, out since last summer and he did it himself. This one kicks off with yet another song about those eternal antagonists – the owners and the renters – the song is ‘I’m Your Landlord’ and it compares favorably with John Lee Hooker’s ‘House Rent Blues’ and Paul Thorn’s ‘Burn Down The Trailerpark’. Jackson as the landlord is seeking a barter system with his female renter to unknown results. This much is clearly known: Jackson is a kick-ass bluesman with a perfect bluesy voice, who has written clever lyrics and features a band tighter than your boss; especially guitarist Eric Winbush who shreds appropriately when called upon. Jackson is out of Georgia, where it is entirely too hot in the summer (expect for the crept myrtles) – a state that needs to vote out shady governor Brian Kemp, who is forcing Stacey Abrams to beat him twice, and they also need to retain Senator Warnock, and then indict and hopefully imprison Orange Twitler for trying in plain sight to overturn a free and fair election. Anyway, Jackson has a bunch of serious blues songs, not to mention seriously funny blues songs such as ‘The Old Man Luv’ striking a blow for geezer rights and why ladies need an old boyfriend. And why not? There is no we-have-to-talk scenario on the horizon because he won’t go to the bar because he’s barely alive. Then there’s ‘She Need Satisfied’, wherein Jackson has a heart-to-heart with his doctor demanding that little blue pill in order to prolong the joy rather than guarantee the agony as he’s dreading being the weak link in a pending threesome. Solid throughout – this is on the best albums of the year. (12/20/21).
Willie Jackson Commits to His Blues Sound
Review from workingmojo.com
The Georgia-based bluesman isn’t afraid to have fun with this songs.
Steven OvadiaRead more posts by this author.
STEVEN OVADIA
5 MAY 2022
https://www.workingmojo.com/willie-jackson-commits-to-his-blues-sound/
Singer/songwriter Willie Jackson has a strong, resonant blues voices, but an equally powerful sense of playfulness, both of which combine for a fun album of hard-working blues.
“Hard-working” can sometimes mean subtext, like the artist is trying but not necessarily succeeding. That’s not the case here. Jackson, who works out of coastal Georgia and South Carolina, builds his songs around a specific vision and sticks the landing every time. The tracks are funny, even goofy sometimes, but his voice is pure blues and his band is ridiculously tight and disciplined. It works for the album, and it’s easy to imagine how much fun he must be live.
For instance, on “I’m Your Landlord,” a cash register sound effect runs through the song, almost like a morning zoo radio show, Jackson playing a sleazy landlord hitting on his neighbor, speak-singing in a rich voice, reminiscent of Muddy Waters, but charmingly modern. Jackson isn’t trying to be cool or dangerous. He’s capturing a slice of life in a comical way, something that’s much harder to do than it seems.
“The Old Man Luv” is an odyssey, with background vocals and a generous coating of organ, plus horns. The melody is addictive and Jackson’s vocals dominate the tune in a good way. The whole album is mixed to place Jackson front-and-center in the tracks. The backing music can sometimes sound a little thin and distant, but it actually works well for the album, giving it a vintage sound. Maybe it was a choice and maybe it wasn’t, but if it works, it works.
Another song benefiting from atypical production choices is “Hey Gangsta,” a revenge fantasy song from the perspective of a father going after the creep hurting his daughter. Here funky bass and ’80s synth sounds mingle with Jackson’s classic vocals, an odd bit of temporal cross-pollination that makes for a compelling listen. The slight musical detour works well on an album that also has a no-nonsense blues like “She Need Satisfied,” which is as close as Jackson comes to a traditional blues, aided by Ace Anderson’s lovely Chicago-style harmonica.
All in the Blues is striking and memorable because of Jackson’s commitment to the songs. He’s not trying to present himself as anything he’s not. Every song gives you a powerful image of who he is as a songwriter and performer. There are some production aspects that feel a bit dated, but it doesn’t matter because of the emotion and sincerity driving all of these tracks. The authenticity transcends production and makes for an entertaining album of blues. Jackson is a regional artist, but an interesting one.
Willie Jackson Blues 