New Homemade Jamz: "I Got Blues For You"

Those of you who saw Homemade Jamz perform at last year's Pittsburgh Blues Festival should remember a set of hard and tough old-fashioned blues performed by three of the youngest bluespersons you'd ever seen, all siblings from the Perry family, of Tupelo, Miss. -- lead guitarist and singer Ryan Perry, now 17, bass player Kyle, 14 and drummer Taya, 10. They played guitar and bass made from car mufflers, with Taya keeping a rock-steady rhythm and a flower in her hair.

If it hadn't been for Taj Mahal closing that night, the Perry blueskids would have been the day's best. As it was, they made it hard for even Taj to follow.

Now they have a new CD -- "I Got Blues For You"  (Northern Blues) -- to follow up their fine debut, "Pay Me No Mind."

It takes them a step beyond their earlier covers and self-penned tunes, with lyrics by father Renaud Perry. Now it's almost entirely the Jamz' work, with more sophisticated arrangements, a little funk thrown in here and there, and a lot more mature music making. Especially Ryan on vocals, whose full-throated blues and tough guitar licks could well be coming from a more senior blues player.

In fact, as you lsiten to the album, you don't hear the playing of three youngsters, you hear the music of grizzled blues vets, and the obvious question is: "Where the hell is this coming from?" Here's a sample of a chugging deep blues track called "Hobo Man" (the harp is by dad Renaud):

It's a little scary they way these kids grind out the blues. It's not that they are trying to sound like somebody else's blues band, it's more that they are pulling on some deep feelings and passions that make them a real blues band of their own. I know, that sounds a little bit over the top, but just listen to the music. At 17, Ryan has already got some fine guitar licks, and his vocals reach back for the strength and feeling that should be well beyond his years. Check out this segment of the very gritty "In the Wind":

If they stick together and keep at it, the Homemade Jamz could find themselves right at the top of just a handful of blues players who are bringing you the real deal.

Here's what the band looked like at work last December:

 Note to Bluzer

Yes, I agree that Kenny Tsak isn't the bluesman who will give you that deep down, born-again blues feeling. But he will get you rocking and feeling good, and sometimes you just need a little bit of that, too. I wish there were a lot more Pinetops that I could write about every day, but there aren't. That doesn't mean that the blues he represents isn't among the purest of the pure. It is. I'm glad you have the passion that makes you such a great blues fan. Let it roll. And HoneyBoy thanks you too. Woof.

Clapton, Winwood, Guy

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood are in the midst of a national tour, and their gig in Chicago the other day was highlighted by an appearance from Buddy Guy. Here's an interesting review from the Chicago Tribune on how the old master fared with those two young upstarts.