Title - 'Spectacular Class'
Artist - Jontavious Willis
Every generation or so, a young bluesman bursts onto the scene and sends a jolt through the blues community.
Jontavious Willis may just have that effect on people. The 22-year-old rising multi-instrumentalist has released a new album, Spectacular Class (out April 5th, 2019 via Kind of Blue Music).
Through original lyrics written by Willis himself, the gifted musician delivers a timeless album that features dynamic vocals and all types of blues: Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel.
With his stand-out fingerpicking, flat-picking, and slide prowess are also on display, GRAMMY award-winning artists Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ played an active role in producing Spectacular Class with Taj Mahal credited as Executive Producer and Keb' Mo' as the Producer.
1. 'Low Down Ways'
2. 'The Blues Is Dead?'
3. 'Resting On My Mind'
4. 'Daddy's Dough'
5. 'Friend Zone Blues'
6. 'Jon's Boogie'
7. 'Country'
8. 'Liquor'
9. 'Long Winded Woman'
10. 'The World Is In A Tangle'
Spectacular Class, the follow-up to Jon's debut album, Blue Metamorphosis (2016), kicks off in fine style with the foot-tappin' beauty 'Low Down Ways' which is followed by the down and dirty 'The Blues Is Dead?' and then the Gospel-tinged, yearning ballad 'Resting On My Mind.'
The down south blues funk of 'Daddy's Dough' is one of my own personal favorites on this new album, and that's backed by the slow-poke approach to 'Friend Zone Blues' and the fun, light and breezy instrumental 'Jon's Boogie.'
The album then rounds out with the bucolic blues of 'Country,' the storytelling of 'Liquor,' and then comes to a close with the coquettish 'Long Winded Woman' and the cultured 'The World Is In A Tangle.'
In closing, Jontavious is a new bluesman who having been mentored and ultimately recommended to all listeners by Keb' Mo' and Taj Majal has now embraced his new lease of life with both arms wide open.
It truly is just so hard to believe Jon is still only in his early twenties for his combination of soulful blues and ragtime is as fresh and as vibrant today as it ever was back then.
In addition to its digital release, the album will also be available on CD and vinyl.
Amazon CD Purchase Link
www.JontaviousWillis.com
www.KindOfBlueRecords.com